Side Hustles

AMBITION VS. OBSESSION

 
A muscular guy, a fancy car, sipping a drink by the pool, not a care in the world. “This simple trick will earn you MILLIONS!” We all know the type: overly enthusiastic, talking way too fast, seeming to have way too much money. Usually, you just scroll past, but maybe not this time. The lure of a secret “they”who don’t want you to know might pull you in, only for you to be bombarded with their latest crypto scheme or drop shipping strategy. You think, I could do that. I’m wasting all this time; instead of sitting around, I could be making some passive income. I should find a side hustle. After all, it seems like everyone is always “grinding”, running five businesses from their phones while going to school and working their normal jobs. Suddenly, your part-time job or even your full course load feels lazy. Outdated.  

Everywhere we turn, we’re told that our classes and homework or our 9-to-5 isn’t enough.  The message is clear: if you’re not making money while you sleep, you’re behind. Culture now celebrates “the grind” and rewards hustle over rest, output over character. Even hobbies have been rebranded as monetizable assets. You can’t just like baking; you need to open a cookie business. You can’t just take photos; you need a content strategy. 

A Slippery Slope 

What started as creative outlets or a way to earn some extra gas money has become the focus. The side hustle is no longer just an opportunity; it’s an expectation. And if you’re not hustling? You’re falling behind. You’re wasting your potential. But this pursuit is often fueled by something darker than ambition: anxiety. Insecurity. A belief that we’re not enough unless we’re producing more; more income, more success, more status. It’s the modern version of a get-rich-quick scheme, except now it’s dressed up with lifestyle posts and productivity podcasts. 

Not all side hustles stay innocent. The desire to make “just a little more” money can lead down dangerous roads. We’ve seen people turn to gambling apps, convinced that a lucky streak could solve their problems. Others open OnlyFans accounts, telling themselves it’s “just online” and “empowering,” but quietly feeling more and more detached from their true worth. 

This isn’t about demonizing the idea of working hard. It’s about recognizing when the pursuit of “more” becomes a slippery slope toward compromising your faith for wealth. When the goal becomes money, we’ve crossed a line. And make no mistake, society won’t stop you. It’ll cheer you on the whole way down. 

Ambition or Obsession? 

The Bible doesn’t mention drop shipping or crypto, but it does talk about people who weren’t content with an honest job and shifted to dishonest gain. Consider the tax collectors. In Jesus’ time, these men had a side hustle; they skimmed extra money off the top for themselves. Zacchaeus, for example, wasn’t just unpopular because he collected taxes; he was despised because he took more than was fair. He profited at the expense of others. After meeting Jesus, he gave it all up and even gave back the money he stole. 

Jesus didn’t condemn ambition, but He consistently warned about the love of money. He knew the dangers of chasing wealth. In Matthew 6:24, He says, “You cannot serve both God and money.” Jesus wasn’t against work, He was against greed. The side hustle becomes dangerous not because of what it is, but because of what it reveals: a heart that wants control, status, or security outside of God. 

So, does God want you to have a side hustle? Ask yourself first, why do you want one? If it’s to provide for your needs, fund your education, or use your gifts responsibly, there’s wisdom in that. But if it’s about greed, envy, or fear of missing out, that’s a red flag. God calls us to steward our time and our talents with purpose, not the pursuit of worldly riches. Side hustles are a selfish act; God calls us to use the time we would spend to instead serve others. 

Instead of chasing “the secret they don’t want you to know,” maybe the real secret is this: you don’t need to be doing more, you need to trust more. Trust that God sees you. Trust that He will provide. You don’t have to feel like you are falling behind, even if your hands aren’t constantly searching for money. The hustle will always promise more, but it will never be enough.