Podcast episode
Episode 344: Why Francis Chan Asked God NOT to Make Him Rich | Francis Chan
Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with bestselling author and pastor Francis Chan for a profound conversation about the tension between building and being, success and faithfulness, and the danger of running on life’s treadmill without stopping to ask why. Speaking from his experiences in Hong Kong’s fast-paced culture, Francis shares vulnerable insights about his own journey from mega-church pastor to someone seeking deeper relationship with God.
EPISODE NOTES
What happens when one of America’s most influential pastors reflects on success, simplicity, and the danger of life’s relentless treadmill? Francis Chan opens up about his journey from building a mega-church to seeking deeper relationship with God, sharing vulnerable insights about the tension between achievement and faithfulness that every entrepreneur faces.
Drawing from his experiences in Hong Kong’s fast-paced culture, Francis reveals why he wishes he could tell his younger self to focus on Scripture’s main commands rather than just building bigger. He shares the remarkable story of why he asked God not to make him rich, how he decided to give away his book royalties, and what entrepreneurs can learn from Proverbs 30:7-9 about the dangers of wealth.
This conversation challenges the cultural narrative of endless growth and achievement, offering a counter-cultural perspective on what it means to use success as a platform for Kingdom impact.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: Hong Kong’s energy and Francis’s connection
01:28 Growing up in Hong Kong: First language and cultural familiarity
02:37 The cultural tension: Busyness vs. deep relationship with God
04:00 The treadmill analogy: Running without purpose
06:01 Looking back: What Francis would tell his younger self
08:10 The competition trap: Achievement-based mindset from young ages
10:53 The power of example over discussion
12:28 Scripture’s command: Be quick to listen, slow to speak
15:39 Deep relationships vs. reaching more people
18:06 Creating content with eternal perspective in mind
20:33 Daily surrender: 40 years of morning prayer
24:00 Why God made us: Relationship, not just work
27:02 The danger of coveting in entrepreneurship
29:03 Faithfulness vs. creativity in following God
32:32 Francis’s story: Choosing simplicity over wealth
36:13 The prayer that changed everything: “Make me rich and I’ll give it all away”
40:21 Hope and anticipation: Sports vs. heaven
44:16 Proverbs 30:7-9: The wisdom of asking God not to make you rich
47:02 Challenge to entrepreneurs: Use success to live differently
50:00 The goal of life: Looking like Jesus
54:52 Closing prayer for entrepreneurs
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