How do we think about money?

Addressing those in the banking and finance industry, Samuel Rhee, founder of Endowus, stressed the importance of transforming and renewing our minds with God’s truth (Romans 12:2).

Endowus is a Singapore-based financial technology company. Samuel has 30 years of experience in the industry, which includes being the former chief executive and investment officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Asia.

His sharing took place at the Christians in Banking and Finance Gathering event organised by Salt&Light on July 23, 2025.

“The world is continuously telling us lies about what to believe, how to look at this world, and how to look at myself and others around me in the workplace,” Samuel pointed out.

“It’s a lie. Do not be conformed to what the world is telling us or what the enemy is luring us away from,” he urged.

Who owns everything?

Samuel compared the difference between men’s and God’s perspectives by drawing an analogy of how we view the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

While the Burj Khalifa may seem impressive to humans, all these things are “flat” and “nothing” in God’s eyes.

Comparing the wealth of Elon Musk to the median net worth of Singapore, Samuel discusses the shift in perspective from worldly wealth to divine ownership.

“If you look around the world, Singapore is very blessed to be very wealthy. But (if we) compare ourselves to Elon Musk’s fortune, we’re like, ‘This is like the Burj Khalifa.’ It’s so much money that we are nothing.

“But why don’t we just look at God’s perspective?” he challenged.

“This is God: My Dad owns everything – the Niagara Falls, the Himalayan Mountains – he owns every single thing, the gold and diamonds, Earth, and all outside the universe.”

Compare the worldly understanding of wealth ownership to what we in Jesus have.

“If we are His sons and daughters, He owns everything, and I am His heir. I will inherit all of that. I already own all of that.”

Samuel posed the question: “How does that change your views and perspectives about yourself, about others around you, other children of God around us, and our motives, actions and how we should live?”

Cultivate an infinite mindset

We have fulfilled the creation mandate to be fruitful, multiply and have dominion over the earth. With an expanding population, the global economy, quantum of money, liquidity and financial markets over the long term have also grown, Samuel shared.

The world believes in Malthusian scarcity: That there will not be enough for everyone. Samuel says the zero-sum scarcity mindset is “ingrained in our mind”. People often think they need to “take from somebody else in order for me to gain” and have the idea that one “cannot share or give”.

“There is a grand design that God has created and established in this world,” said Samuel Rhee as he shared about the creation mandate and how it should shape our mindsets.

“The world is lying to us, because in reality, what God has created is actually an abundant growth mindset. Poverty doesn’t exist because there’s a lack of money or wealth

“If you look at eternity, this temporal moment here – the 100 years we live – is nothing compared to infinity and eternity. It’s that mindset shift that we need to have as Christians,” said Samuel.

“God created the world and designed it so we can all live in abundance. He has everything.”

Samuel urged attendees to remain faithful amidst challenges in the industry. “In Corrie ten Boom’s famous illustration of the tapestry, she talked about how it’s a complete mess from behind, but God is creating a glorious crown for our lives.”

He called for attendees to be in the world, but not of the world.

“What has helped me tremendously is knowing and trusting that God has an amazing, perfect design, not only for the universe or the economic systems. God has an amazing design for you, and He has a perfect plan that He is fulfilling today.”

Seeking welfare, Shalom in the space of finance

“One of our core missions and goals in life is to bring Shalom in the space of finance,” Samuel stated. Shalom in Hebrew means wholeness, well-being, completeness.

“A lot of people love this verse from Jeremiah 29:11 about how the Lord is going to fulfil his promise to bring Israelites back to Israel from Babylon in captivity.”

Samuel encouraged attendees to look at it holistically in its context, as seen in Jeremiah 29:4-7.

“When God calls you to the space of finance, He’s asking you to seek the welfare of the city and seek the welfare of the clients that you’re serving, because in it, you will find welfare. God will fulfil His promise and give you a future and a hope.

“We have a unique opportunity in the space of finance to directly impact the lives of many people, their loved ones and their future,” he pointed out to the attendees.

“I think God is challenging us today to make a conscious choice to rewire our brains and not to live the lies that the world and the enemy are telling us.

“Rather, focus on the true meaning of why we are here, why God has placed us in this finance industry, and the purpose for which He has called us.”

Salt&Light will be holding the Christians in Banking & Finance Conference 2025 on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Touch Centre, 3 Marine Parade Central. This upcoming conference will provide a full day of spiritual and professional insights and mutual learning into practical ways of living out your faith in the high-stakes world of banking and finance.

Attendance is free but registration is required. Click here to register.  

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