For as long as many of us can remember, the creative world has preached a single narrative: If you’re an artist, you’re going to struggle.
Struggle financially.
Struggle emotionally.
Struggle to feel legitimate.
Struggle to feel supported.
But on Episode 1 of Creative & Not Broke, Kenny and I sat down to confront this lie head-on — because “broke” isn’t a budget issue…it’s a mindset issue.
As Kingdom creatives, we don’t hustle for crumbs.
We steward with purpose.
We build with God.
We create from identity, not insecurity.
If you’ve ever felt like you were called to create but terrified of ending up a “starving artist,” this episode — and this post — is your permission slip to release that mindset and step into something better.
The Real Battle: Identity vs. Agreements
So many creatives unknowingly partner with the wrong narrative. They don’t even realize they’ve come into agreement with limiting beliefs like:
- “I’ll never make money doing what I love.”
- “If I charge too much, no one will book me.”
- “Ministry and money don’t mix.”
- “Other creatives are more talented — I’ll just stay small.”
- “Making money as a Christian creative feels greedy.”
But here’s the truth:
You cannot create freely while you fear lack.
On the podcast, we talk about how the “starving artist” identity isn’t just unhealthy — it’s spiritually misaligned. Because that scarcity mindset is not from God.
God does not call His children to starve.
He calls them to steward.
Stewardship Is Not Striving — It’s Identity
Shifting from starving artist → Kingdom steward doesn’t start with a business strategy.
It starts with identity.
A starving artist hustles to survive.
A Kingdom steward creates from rest, obedience, and clarity.
A starving artist grabs every opportunity.
A Kingdom steward responds to God-aligned opportunities.
A starving artist is applause-driven.
A Kingdom steward is obedience-driven.
And here’s the biggest shift:
A starving artist works for success.
A Kingdom steward works from identity.
Why This Matters for Your Calling
Your creativity is not random.
It’s not a personality quirk.
It’s not “cute.”
It’s not “extra.”
Your creativity is a gift entrusted to you by God, and Scripture makes that clear:
- Deuteronomy 8:18 — God gives the ability to produce wealth.
- Matthew 25:14–30 — Burying your talent is disobedience.
- Proverbs 18:16 — Your gift will make room for you.
Your calling already has backing.
Heaven is invested in what you create.
Which is why Episode 1 focuses on helping creatives break old agreements and begin stewarding what God gave them with confidence and clarity.
MINDSHIFT EXERCISE
A guided reflection from the Creative & Not Broke worksheet
If you want to get the fullest value from this episode, walk through this exercise as you read.
1. Identify the Old “Starving Artist” Beliefs
Write them down (don’t skip this — seeing them will expose them).
Examples people commonly hold:
- “I’m not worthy of being paid well.”
- “People won’t value spiritual or creative work.”
- “Creativity won’t sustain me long-term.”
- “If I raise my prices, I’ll lose clients.”
Your turn:
What beliefs have you silently agreed with?
→ List them out.
2. Reframe Them With Kingdom Truth
For each belief, write the truth God says instead.
Example:
- Lie: “Money is hard to earn.”
- Truth: “God gives me the ability to produce wealth.” (Deut. 8:18)
Lie: “My creativity isn’t enough.”
Truth: “My gift makes room for me.” (Prov. 18:16)
Lie: “I need to hustle to survive.”
Truth: “I work from rest, not striving.” (Matthew 11:28)
Your turn:
Rewrite each lie with a truth rooted in Scripture.
3. Declare This Out Loud
“Lord, I break agreement with the poverty and orphan spirit.
I receive my identity as a son/daughter and steward of Your wealth.”
Let that sink in.
Say it with authority.
Your creativity isn’t just yours — it’s His investment in you.
4. Identify Your This-Week Stewardship Shift
Look at the Starving Artist → Kingdom Steward chart.
Where do you currently land?
Which area is Holy Spirit highlighting?
- Working from fear vs. working from faith
- Grabbing every gig vs. waiting for alignment
- Burnout vs. rest
- Applause-chasing vs. obedience
- Personal brand vs. Kingdom-building
Your turn:
What is ONE shift God is calling you to make this week?
Write it down and commit to it.
5. Build Your Spiritual Strategy For Your Creativity
Use these prompts:
- My gift is:
- My meeting with God this week is scheduled for:
- This week I will seek wisdom through Proverbs chapter:
- One creative goal I’m stewarding this month is:
This transforms your creativity from something you manage into something you co-labor with God for.
Closing Thoughts: Your Creativity Is A Calling — Not a Gamble
Episode 1 of Creative & Not Broke lays the foundation for everything else we’re going to build together:
- Identity
- Alignment
- Stewardship
- Consistency
- Obedience
You were never called to be a starving artist.
You are called to be a Kingdom creative steward, trusted by God, equipped by God, and resourced by God.
And this first episode is just the beginning.
If you haven’t watched or listened yet, you can find the episode here:
🎧 Creative & Not Broke — Episode 1
https://youtu.be/snGa351xkIs?si=-MH5mWjxmbbuYBLZ
Christia DeShields 
Leave a comment