Are You One of the Beautiful People?

As fall arrives and the trees burst into vibrant colors—reds, oranges, golds—we’re reminded of something profound: beauty often appears not in holding on, but in letting go.

Think about it. Those brilliant autumn leaves aren’t blooming; they’re releasing in preparation for something new. And that simple truth—woven into creation itself—has something powerful to say about how we live, how we give, and how we reflect God’s beauty to the world.

Let me ask you a question: Are you one of the beautiful people? Not the kind of beauty the world chases. Not what’s seen in selfies or filtered posts or shiny portfolios. But the beauty heaven notices—the beauty of a surrendered life.

Real Beauty Is Found in Release

Jesus turned the world’s definition of beauty upside down. He said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35). He called us to die to ourselves—not because He wanted to diminish us, but because surrender transforms us. Like the autumn leaves, we begin to reflect a different kind of brilliance—His glory through our release.

And that includes how we approach our money.

The world tells us to grasp, accumulate, and protect. But God calls us to live with open hands. When we release our plans, our possessions, and even our pride, we make room for something far more beautiful: His presence, His purposes, and His power working through us.

Four Beautiful Ways to Surrender Through Stewardship

Want to know what this kind of beauty looks like in action? Here are four faithful ways to practice surrendered stewardship:

1. Support Those Who Serve

Pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders give their lives for the Gospel, but they rely on the generosity of others to carry out their work. When you support them, you don’t just give money. You join the mission. Every soul reached, every act of compassion—you’re part of it. Your giving becomes a beautiful partnership in God’s Kingdom.

2. Give Directly to Those in Need

Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord.”  When you meet real, tangible needs—food, shelter, medicine—you reflect Jesus, who always met people in their pain. This kind of giving isn’t theoretical. It’s personal, active, and radiant.

3. Use Your Unique Gifts to Serve

Your money is just one resource. God has also given you skills, experiences, creativity, and influence. Business leaders can offer strategy. Creatives can tell stories. Planners can help families steward wisely. When you deploy your gifts, you multiply the impact—and that’s beautiful.

4. Leverage Your Influence

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can offer isn’t money—it’s a relationship. A well-timed introduction. A shared platform. A thoughtful invitation. When you use your network or your credibility to elevate someone else’s mission, you mirror Christ’s humility and generosity.

A Beauty That Lasts Beyond You

The most admired lives—the ones we still talk about—weren’t safe or self-serving. They were surrendered. People like Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Corrie Ten Boom lived lives of release. They gave themselves away for others. Their beauty wasn’t in what they held—it was in what they let go. And their impact still echoes today.

You and I are invited to that same kind of beauty. Not the fading kind, but the eternal kind. The kind that leaves a legacy, not just a memory. As the trees blaze with color this fall, let them remind you: God’s most brilliant work often begins where you let go.

So today, ask yourself:
- What am I holding that God may be asking me to release?
- Where can I trade control for trust and see His glory shine through?

Because in God’s Kingdom, the most beautiful people are not the ones who shine the brightest…they’re the ones who surrender the deepest.

NEXT STEPS: If you want to go a little deeper, please listen to Money Made Faithful podcast Episode #203 titled: Are You One of the Beautiful People?   (13 minutes) 

Apple: Episode #203 titled: Are You One of the Beautiful People? 

 Spotify: Episode #203 titled:Are You One of the Beautiful People?