Balancing Faith, Finance, and Fulfillment with Sameer Sawaqed

In this episode of the Pastors & Money Podcast, we welcome Phyllis, a ministry worker in East Asia, and Sameer Sawaqed, a financial strategist and mentor. Phyllis shares her experiences in equipping young adults for revival missions through prayer and fasting. Sameer discusses his work at Wealth Thrive, focusing on tax strategy and helping entrepreneurs achieve true fulfillment and what it means to be rich beyond money. He emphasizes the importance of faith, purpose, budgeting, and avoiding debt as key factors in achieving financial and spiritual balance. The episode concludes with practical advice for pastors on guiding their congregations in aligning financial goals with God-given purpose.

00:00 Introduction to Pastors & Money Podcast

00:36 Ministry Spotlight: Phyllis’s Work in East Asia

03:51 Introduction to Financial Strategist Sameer Sawaqed

07:19 The Concept of Being Rich Beyond Money

14:01 Aligning Financial Goals with God-Given Purpose

22:57 Understanding the Perspective Shift

23:10 The Role of Gratitude in Financial Freedom

23:33 Biblical Principles in Financial Management

26:17 Practical Financial Advice for Christians

27:58 Avoiding Debt and Its Implications

29:22 Automating Savings and Giving

30:21 Multiple Streams of Income

36:19 Balancing Financial Success and Life

39:27 Connecting and Learning More

About Our Guest

Sameer Sawaqed is a financial strategist and mentor who helps entrepreneurs across America become what he calls "rich beyond money" — building lives where peace, purpose, and generosity matter just as much as the bottom line. As a co-leader at Wealth Thrive and Freedom Family Office, and host of the More We Know podcast, Sameer brings a rare combination of high-level financial expertise and genuine faith-rooted wisdom to every conversation. He's the kind of guest who will challenge the way you think about money — and leave you feeling hopeful about what's actually possible.

What You'll Learn

• Why having more money doesn't automatically bring more peace — and what actually does
• How to define what "enough" looks like for your family based on vision and values, not just numbers
• The three pillars of being rich beyond money: peace over pressure, purpose over paycheck, and generosity over accumulation
• Four practical steps for building wealth that stays aligned with your faith and your calling
• Why talking openly about money — at home and in your church — is one of the most powerful things you can do for the people you lead

Key Quotes

• "Money funds your comfort, but only purpose fuels your fulfillment."
• "When your bank account grows but your soul shrinks, you feel it. God wired us for impact, not just income."
• "Budget like it's worship. Every dollar you have should reflect your values."
• "Silence breeds shame. There's nothing wrong with talking about money — at home and in church."
• "When wealth isn't anchored in the why, it becomes either a distraction or a burden. Purpose gives the money meaning."

Practical Takeaways

• Do a vision and values exercise with your family. Before making any financial decisions, get clear on where you want to be in three to five years and what values will guide the decisions along the way. Joy uses a simple worksheet with her coaching clients — it changes everything.
• Budget like it's worship. Treat your budget with the same non-negotiable commitment you bring to your faith. Every spending decision is an opportunity to reflect what matters most to you.
• Automate your saving and your giving. Don't leave generosity or financial growth up to how you feel on any given day. Set it up so your good intentions become consistent habits.
• Track your net worth — but don't let it run your emotions. Know your numbers, but measure your real success by how aligned you feel with your purpose, not by daily market fluctuations.
• Build a team around you. Whether it's an accountant, a financial coach, a therapist, or a trusted mentor — you need people in your corner who help you stay accountable to what matters most.

Resources from this Episode:

• Wealthrive: Wealthrive empowers high-achieving entrepreneurs to leverage a comprehensive wealth plan using tax strategies as a foundation for true abundance, generational wealth, and a life Rich Beyond Money.
• Freedom Family Office - Sister business to Wealthrive; a team of financial experts that help entrepreneurs achieve more than just financial success. 
• "The More We Know" Podcast
• Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey's financial education course

Connecting with Sameer Sawaqed

• Website: wealththrive.com
• Instagram: @wealththrive
• LinkedIn: Search Sameer Sawaqed
• Podcast: The More We Know — search on any podcast platform or YouTube

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Connect with Pastors & Money

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook: @pastorsandmoney

Website: pastorsandmoney.com/podcast

The Pastors & Money Podcast helps pastors, ministry leaders, and churches start thriving financially using money as a tool to fuel God's mission in our churches and families.

Want to be a guest on Pastors & Money Podcast? Send Joy Hunt a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/pastorsandmoney