For many spiritual innovators, money can feel like a fraught and even taboo topic. Perhaps it seems at odds with the soul-deep calling to heal, connect, and serve. The tension sometimes stems from personal experiences of scarcity or shame around money, as well as cultural or religious narratives that cast the pursuit of money as suspect or unspiritual. Many who are drawn to this work do so out of a deep sense of compassion, perhaps born from their own wounds, which can make it even more emotionally charged to set a price on an offering. Add to this the reality that spiritual work often feels priceless, and it can seem nearly impossible to know how to value one’s time and gifts in a way that feels both fair and faithful.
Beyond personal experience, the broader systems we live in compound these challenges. Our dominant economic models reward extraction and exploitation, not healing and belonging—leaving many innovators feeling like they must choose between staying true to their values or becoming financially viable. And unlike sectors with established funding pipelines, spiritual innovation rarely comes with clear blueprints for financial sustainability. Without trusted mentors or models to follow, it can be daunting to plan for revenue, pitch to funders, or build a structure that can support a growing community.
Naming these dynamics openly is the first step to transforming them: It enables spiritual innovators to seek support, build confidence, and imagine money not as a debased necessity, but as a tool to nourish your vision and sustain the work the world so desperately needs.
Starting Exercise: Money Autobiography
Our friends at Faith & Money Network, a longstanding ministry in Washington DC, have developed a beautiful guide to exploring your Money Autobiography, namely the story of how money has shaped your history, beliefs, and current practices. They offer twelve prompts for personal reflection and a starting place on the journey toward aligning your money practices with your deepest values. Download the guide for free here.
