9 Lessons Pastors Learn From Josh Hamilton About Wealthy People And Money

When speaking with pastors, one of the top concerns I often address is how to effectively deal with financial leaders.  Many simply feel inadequate, uncomfortable, or intimidated.  To help pastors deal with this issue, click here for a previous post I wrote on the subject.

What makes this topic have current relevance for me is a June 11th Sports Illustrated article on Texas Ranger outfielder and former American League MVP Josh Hamilton.  Hamilton will be a free agent at the end of this season and is expected to sign a new contract valued between $175 – 200 million.

Hamilton is a strong Christian and his views on these extravagant financial resources is something that will help all pastors prepare for future conversations with their financial leaders:

1. Financial Leaders Prioritize Their Family – Talk to financial leaders about their families.  As we go through this list, notice how many quotes are from Hamilton’s wife Katie.  OThe top influencer of financial leaders is most often their spouse.
2. Financial Leaders Often Have The Gift Of Giving – People with the gift of giving will often try to make as much possible; then live on as little as possible so that they can give away as much as possible.  Hamilton says, “It’s more the giving away part.  That’s in the forefront of any kind of thought we have about our next contract.  The bigger it is, the more we can give away.  It’s cool to think about all the different ways you can help people by playing baseball.”
3. Financial Leaders Have A Deep Sense Of Mission – Author S.L. Price notes that Hamilton feels this contract was why he was saved a few years ago.  It will be a picture of faith to everyone.
4. Financial Leaders Respond To Relationship – Hamilton’s pastor, Robert Morris of Gateway Church, and televangelist James Robison are mentors and friends.  Robison says, “[Josh and Katie’s] zeal for God, their childlike teachability, blesses me.”
5. Financial Leaders Desperately Desire To Serve God – Hamilton has repeatedly said the God will determine where he plays next season.  Pastors, don’t be a financial counselor to financial leaders.  They most likely know more about the money than you do.  However, they desperately need you to be their pastor and shepherd.
6. Financial Leaders Desperately Need Jesus.  Give Him To Them – Katie says, “They keep saying, ‘Josh needs Texas; he needs the comfort of this team.’  Uh, we need Jesus.  We need God.  He goes with us wherever we are.”
7. Financial Leaders Use Money To Change Human Life - She says, “We really don’t care about the money so much for us, but we have huge plans for this money and no, it’s not strictly for our bank account.  It is for a hurting world.”
8. Financial Leaders Are BIG Thinkers – Financial leaders want to impact as many people as possible with their resources.  Despite building an orphanage in Uganda and providing relief to Haiti, Hamilton has indicated he has far bigger plans for the funds coming from his next contract.
9. Financial Leaders Give To BIG Vision – It appears Hamilton is not going to give the Texas Rangers a home town discount on his next contract.  This is telling because with financial leaders it is never a question of if they are going to release financial resources.  They are.  The question is to whom?  As mentioned previously, the resources will flow to the vision which has the most impact.

Family, The Gift Of Giving, Deep Sense Of Mission, Relationships, A Desire To Follow God, A Need For Jesus, Changing Human Life, BIG Thinkers, and BIG Vsion.  

Pastors, these nine things are vitally important to financial leaders.  Are they equally as important to you?

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