The Cost of Surrender: Overcoming Greed with Generosity

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering to Christ’s Lordship Over All

To call Jesus “Lord” is more than a title—it’s a daily, costly act of surrender that places every area of our lives, including our finances, under His authority. True lordship means saying “yes” to Jesus not just in word, but in obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. We are invited to examine our hearts and ask if there are any areas where we are holding back, comparing ourselves to others, or refusing to trust Him fully. The journey of faith is marked by a steady, consistent “yes, Lord,” as we recognize that everything we have belongs to Him and we are simply stewards of His resources. [01:14:37]

Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life—finances, time, relationships, or something else—where you have resisted surrendering to Jesus’ lordship? What would it look like to say “yes, Lord” in that area today?

Day 2: Resisting Greed and Idolatry

Greed is more than just a desire for money; it’s an insatiable longing for more—more things, more status, more power—that places created things above the Creator and leads to spiritual emptiness. Scripture warns that greed is a form of idolatry, pulling our hearts away from God and into comparison, covetousness, and fear. As children of God, we are called to imitate Christ’s sacrificial love and live as people of light, refusing to participate in the patterns of greed that dominate our culture. Instead, we are invited to cultivate gratitude and contentment, trusting that God is enough and that what He has entrusted to us is sufficient. [01:10:41]

Ephesians 5:1-10 (NLT)
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”

Reflection: Where do you find yourself comparing what you have to others, or feeling an insatiable desire for more? How can you intentionally practice gratitude for what God has entrusted to you today?

Day 3: Investing in the Kingdom

The best investment we can make is into heaven’s kingdom—using our resources, time, and talents to participate in the mission and message of Jesus, which alone has the power to transform lives for eternity. The parable of the talents reminds us that God entrusts each of us with resources according to our ability, not for comparison, but for faithful stewardship. Our financial generosity and willingness to invest in God’s work is a tangible indicator of where our hearts truly are, and it is through this investment that we experience the joy of partnering with God’s purposes and hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” [01:18:19]

Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can invest your resources—money, time, or abilities—into God’s kingdom this week, rather than into the priorities of this world?

Day 4: Saying No to Fear and Yes to Trust

Fear often tempts us to hide, hoard, or shrink back from generosity, convincing us that we don’t have enough or that we might lose what little we have. But God calls us to resist the pull of fear and instead trust Him as our provider, moving from anxiety and scarcity into supernatural peace and contentment. Practicing regular, intentional generosity is a spiritual discipline that breaks the power of fear and greed, helping us to live with open hands and joyful hearts, confident that God will never fail or abandon us. [01:22:22]

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: In what area of your finances or life do you feel most anxious or fearful? How can you take a step of trust and generosity in that area today, believing that God will provide?

Day 5: Practicing Radical Kingdom Generosity

The antidote to greed and the scarcity mentality is to intentionally live off of less and prioritize radical generosity as a spiritual rhythm. By counting the cost, stewarding what God has given us, and making kingdom investment our first priority, we align our hearts with Christ’s and experience the freedom, joy, and abundance that comes from giving. This is not about equal gifts, but equal sacrifice and faithfulness, as each of us responds to what God has entrusted to us—whether one talent or five—without comparison or fear. Radical generosity is a declaration that Jesus is Lord over all, and it is through this practice that we become wise, good, and faithful stewards. [01:39:15]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT)
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can practice radical generosity this week—whether financially, with your time, or in another area—to reflect the heart of Christ and resist the pull of greed?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a family to declare that there is no one like Jesus—worthy of all our praise, adoration, and surrender. We invited the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, to reveal any area where something else might be competing for the throne that belongs to Christ alone. As we dedicated children to God, we were reminded that our lives, our families, and all we have are gifts entrusted to us by the Father. Our calling is to steward these gifts faithfully, modeling surrender and faith for the next generation, and surrounding one another in community.

We explored the parable of the three servants in Matthew 25, where Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven through the lens of stewardship. Each servant was entrusted with resources according to their ability, and their response revealed the posture of their hearts. The faithful servants invested what was given, while the third, out of fear, buried his gift. This parable challenges us to examine our own hearts for greed—a subtle, insidious form of idolatry that places created things above the Creator. Greed is not just about money; it’s about any insatiable desire for more—status, possessions, experiences—that distracts us from radical kingdom generosity.

In our current culture, where financial pressures and comparison are rampant, it’s easy to fall into patterns of impulsive spending, entitlement, and covetousness. Yet, the call of Jesus is to live off of less, to intentionally practice generosity, and to resist the gravitational pull of greed. True stewardship means surrendering to Christ’s lordship, investing in the work of His kingdom, and saying no to fear. Our financial habits are a reliable indicator of where our hearts truly reside. When we prioritize giving to God’s kingdom above our own comfort, we break the power of greed and experience the freedom and joy of living as children of light.

We ended with a time of reflection, inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of comparison, striving, and insatiable desire in our lives. The invitation is to confess, repent, and realign our hearts so that Jesus is not only our Savior but our Lord—over every part of our lives, including our finances. As we give, we do so in faith, trusting that everything belongs to God, and our greatest desire is to one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” May we be a people marked by radical generosity, sacrificial love, and unwavering trust in the One who is worthy of it all.

Key Takeaways

1. Surrender to Christ’s Lordship: True discipleship is not just about calling Jesus “Savior,” which costs us nothing, but about calling Him “Lord,” which requires our daily, costly obedience. Surrendering to His lordship means recognizing that everything we have is entrusted to us by God, and we are called to steward it faithfully, not in comparison to others, but in response to His unique call on our lives. [73:52]
2. Stewardship as Resistance to Greed: Greed is more than a desire for money; it is any insatiable longing for more—be it possessions, status, or experiences—that takes the place of God in our hearts. Faithful stewardship is the antidote, as it reorients our priorities, cultivates contentment, and breaks the cycle of comparison and covetousness. Practicing generosity is a spiritual discipline that forms us into people of light, not darkness. [70:41]
3. Invest in the Kingdom, Not the Earth: The best investment we can make is into the work of God’s kingdom, which yields eternal dividends. When we prioritize giving to God’s mission above our own comfort or status, we participate in the transformation of lives and communities. Our financial choices reveal where our treasure—and therefore our heart—truly lies. [77:45]
4. Say No to Fear, Yes to Faith: Fear often keeps us from investing what God has entrusted to us, leading us to bury our gifts in the priorities of this world. The call is to trust God’s provision, resist anxiety about the future, and step out in faith, knowing that He is our provider and that everything ultimately belongs to Him. Practicing generosity moves us from fear and scarcity to peace and abundance. [79:52]
5. Radical Generosity as a Spiritual Practice: Consistent, sacrificial giving is not just a financial decision but a spiritual one. It is a way to take inventory of our hearts, resist the pull of greed, and align our lives with the values of heaven’s kingdom. As we live off of less and give away more, we experience the joy, freedom, and satisfaction that come from trusting God and participating in His redemptive work. [81:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:33] - Inviting the Holy Spirit & Worship
[32:30] - Surrendering to Christ’s Worthiness
[35:25] - Child Dedication: Meaning and Practice
[36:59] - Jesus’ Dedication and Community
[37:47] - Parental Vows and Blessing
[40:11] - Prayers Over Families
[47:53] - The Importance of Community and Connection
[51:21] - Vision Offering and Kingdom Builders
[55:13] - The Parable of the Three Servants
[59:21] - The Problem of Greed in Our Culture
[66:17] - Defining Greed and Its Dangers
[70:41] - Ephesians 5: Greed as Idolatry
[72:39] - Three Keys to Kingdom Stewardship
[77:45] - Investing in the Kingdom
[79:52] - Saying No to Fear
[81:51] - Generosity as a Spiritual Practice
[84:44] - Reflection and Confession
[92:14] - Prayer of Surrender and Salvation
[96:02] - Vision Card and Next Steps
[98:03] - Giving in Faith
[100:01] - Closing Announcements and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT) – Parable of the Three Servants —
> “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
>
> “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
>
> “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
>
> “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
>
> “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
>
> “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
>
> “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
>
> “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
>
> “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Observation Questions

In the parable, what did the master entrust to each servant, and how did he decide how much to give each one?
What were the different responses of the three servants to what they were given?
According to the sermon, what does the master’s response to each servant reveal about what God values in our stewardship?
What reason did the third servant give for hiding his bag of silver, and how did the master respond to that reasoning?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “To call Jesus Savior costs you nothing, but to call Jesus Lord will cost you your steady and consistent, yes, Lord. Yes, I will obey.” What does it mean for someone to move from seeing Jesus as just Savior to making Him Lord over every part of their life, including their finances?
The third servant acted out of fear and buried his gift. What are some fears that might keep people today from investing what God has given them into His kingdom?
The sermon describes greed as “any insatiable longing for more—be it possessions, status, or experiences—that takes the place of God in our hearts.” How does this definition challenge common assumptions about what greed is?
The pastor said, “Our financial habits are a reliable indicator of where our hearts truly reside.” Why do you think our spending and giving reveal so much about our priorities and trust in God?

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to invite the Holy Spirit to “search our hearts” for areas where something else might be competing for the throne that belongs to Christ alone. Is there an area in your life—finances, possessions, status, or experiences—where you sense something is competing with Jesus’ lordship? What would it look like to surrender that area?
The parable shows that each servant was entrusted with resources “according to their ability.” Do you ever find yourself comparing what you have to what others have? How does comparison affect your contentment and generosity?
The sermon said, “Practicing generosity as a weekly, daily, monthly, annually, seasonally practice will make you a less fearful, less greedy, and more generous and free and joyful person.” What is one practical step you could take this week to practice generosity, even if it feels costly?
The pastor talked about the temptation to “live off of more” and the call of Jesus to “live off of less.” Are there specific habits or expenses in your life that you sense God might be inviting you to cut back on so you can invest more in His kingdom?
The third servant was motivated by fear. Are there fears—about the future, about not having enough, about losing comfort—that keep you from giving or serving as God leads? How can you take a step of faith to trust God’s provision this week?
The sermon ended with an invitation to confess, repent, and realign our hearts so that Jesus is not only our Savior but our Lord. Is there something you need to confess or realign in your heart or habits this week? How can the group support you in this?
The pastor said, “Our greatest desire is to one day hear, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” What would it look like for you to live this week in a way that moves you toward hearing those words from Jesus?

Sermon Clips

Imitate the Father because you're his child. Christ is our example of life filled with sacrificial love. And Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus is wildly relevant to our current cultural context. Let there be none of these three things, sexual immorality, impurity, or greed. Those are the three. This could have been written to us today. A greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don't be fooled by greed. Don't participate in greed. Live as children of the light. [01:11:36] (37 seconds) #LiveAsChildrenOfLight

To call Jesus Savior costs you nothing, but costs Christ everything. To call Jesus Savior is to say, you laid down your life. You went to the cross. You paid the penalty of sin and shame. You're my Savior, but it doesn't cost me anything. I just have to say, yes, it's a free gift. But to call Jesus Lord will cost you your steady and consistent, yes, Lord. Yes, I will obey. Yes, I will do what you've asked me. Yes, I will obey. And the words no and Lord are oxymorons. [01:14:01] (35 seconds) #CostOfCallingJesus

Part of Christ's lordship in our lives is living, prioritizing, and behaving in a way that supports this truth. We have been entrusted with the master's resources. It's his, not ours. All of it. It all belongs to God. This is not only a foundational truth for the follower of Christ, but it's one of the ways we resist the gravitational pull towards greed. More things, more food, more worth, more status, more money. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all of its people belong to him. [01:15:04] (31 seconds) #GodOwnsItAll

You might be a one-talent person, and the reason you're so stressed is because you're trying to be a five-talent person. You're comparing yourself with five-talent people. You're comparing yourself with three-talent people. But maybe you've been entrusted with one. Will you be content with that? Will you steward that? The master entrusts us with his resources according to our abilities. Now that's sobering, because it just might mean we don't recognize what we're capable of. [01:16:07] (32 seconds) #ContentWithYourTalents

As followers of Jesus, it's imperative that we understand clearly that our stewardship of money is perhaps the most powerful and reliable external indicator of where our hearts are really at when it comes to money. Jesus' invitation to seek first the kingdom above all else. [01:18:31] (21 seconds) #MoneyRevealsHearts

To be a wise, good, and faithful steward that says yes to Christ's lordship, yes to obeying the words of Jesus, Lord, Lord, means I say yes to investing into the kingdom, means that I have to say no to fear. [01:20:23] (17 seconds) #SayYesToKingdom

Practicing generosity as a weekly, daily, monthly, annually, seasonally practice will make you a less fearful, less greedy, and more generous and free and joyful person. Consistent financial generosity for the follower of Christ is a practice by which we actually take inventory of our hearts, because where our treasure is, there our heart is, and we resist the gravitational pull towards greed. [01:21:53] (29 seconds) #GenerosityTransformsHearts

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