Elephant in the Room: Trusting God with Our Finances

Today’s gathering was a call to radical generosity, rooted in the heart of God and the teachings of Jesus. We began by remembering that God is present with us, no matter what burdens we carry or what storms we face. He is the God who never leaves us, who walks with us through every trial, and who desires to meet our needs when we open ourselves to Him. Worship is not just a routine, but a moment where God can move, heal, and perform miracles in our lives if we are willing to surrender and trust Him.

We celebrated the seeds sown in our community—thousands of invitations handed out, acts of service, and the anticipation of what God will do in the coming weeks. But we also acknowledged the spiritual battle at hand: the enemy seeks to divide, distract, and destroy, and the church must not be passive. We are called to invite, to persist, and to reach out, knowing that most people are just waiting for an invitation to encounter God’s love.

Turning to the subject of giving, we confronted the discomfort and controversy that often surrounds money in the church. Yet, Scripture is clear: our relationship with money is a spiritual issue, not just a financial one. Jesus spoke more about money than almost any other topic, because where our treasure is, our heart will be also. Giving is not about funding budgets or buildings; it’s about advancing the kingdom of God and trusting Him with what we have.

Generosity is a reflection of God’s own nature. God gave everything—His own Son—out of love for us. When we give, we imitate Him, and we participate in His mission. The principle is simple and unchanging: what we sow, we will reap. If we give sparingly, we receive sparingly; if we give generously, God multiplies it back to us, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This is not karma or luck, but a spiritual law established by God Himself.

We are challenged to move beyond comfortable, minimal giving and to trust God enough to give sacrificially, knowing He will not be a debtor to anyone. Whether it’s tithing, supporting missions, or meeting practical needs, every act of generosity fulfills God’s mission and brings blessing—not just to the church, but to our own lives. The invitation is to test God in this, to step out in faith, and to watch Him pour out blessings that cannot be contained.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Presence in Every Season No matter what burdens we carry or what storms we face, God is present and faithful. He promises never to leave or forsake us, and He meets us right where we are—whether in the sanctuary or at home. Our role is to open ourselves to Him in worship and trust, allowing Him to move and perform miracles in our lives. This is the foundation for every other act of faith, including our generosity. [32:20]
• 2. Generosity Reflects the Heart of God True generosity is not about obligation or pressure, but about imitating the God who gave everything for us. When we give—whether money, time, or resources—we step into God’s nature and participate in His mission. Our giving is a tangible expression of love, and it moves us beyond self-centeredness into the world of others, where God can use us to make a difference. [70:00]
• 3. The Principle of Sowing and Reaping God’s kingdom operates on the principle that what we sow, we will reap. This is not just a financial law, but a spiritual one: the measure of our giving determines the measure of our blessing. If we are stingy, we limit what God can do; if we are generous, God multiplies our seed and returns it in abundance, often in ways we could never predict. [71:48]
• 4. Giving as an Act of Trust and Surrender Our relationship with money reveals where our trust truly lies. God calls us to give not just what is comfortable, but what requires faith and surrender. When we consult God about our giving and obey His leading—even when it costs us—we discover that He is faithful to provide, and we experience the joy and freedom that come from living open-handedly. [73:06]
• 5. Generosity Fuels God’s Mission Every act of giving—whether for bills, missions, or special projects—advances the mission of God in our community and beyond. The church is not just a place to keep the lights on, but a launching pad for reaching the lost, serving the needy, and transforming lives. When we give, we are not just supporting an institution; we are fulfilling the Great Commission and participating in God’s redemptive work. [93:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:51] - Entering into Worship
• [32:20] - God’s Presence and Our Burdens
• [38:56] - Miracles in the Midst of Worship
• [42:53] - Making a Difference in the Community
• [46:36] - Sowing Seeds and Expecting Growth
• [47:53] - The Enemy’s Battle and Our Response
• [49:05] - The Power of Persistent Invitation
• [51:36] - Preparing for Upcoming Events
• [56:43] - Transition to the Word
• [57:21] - Reading from Luke 6:36-38
• [59:29] - Why Money is a Spiritual Issue
• [64:09] - Giving to Advance God’s Kingdom
• [65:22] - The Principle of Giving and Receiving
• [70:00] - God’s Generosity and Our Imitation
• [73:06] - Giving as Trust and Surrender
• [76:18] - Sacrifice and Making a Difference
• [78:20] - Sowing, Reaping, and Multiplication
• [81:01] - The Widow’s Oil: No Limits on God
• [83:15] - McDonald’s vs. Five Guys: The Measure of Blessing
• [86:13] - The Alabaster Box: Costly Generosity
• [88:42] - God Will Not Owe Anyone
• [92:03] - Missions, Special Projects, and Weekly Giving
• [94:01] - The 90-Day Tithing Challenge
• [97:35] - Prayer for Radical Generosity
• [100:01] - Final Challenge and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Luke 6:36-38 (ESV) — > 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
> 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
> 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV) — > 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
> 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
> 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) — > 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Observation Questions

1. In Luke 6:38, what does Jesus say will happen when we give? How does He describe the way it will be returned to us?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, what is the difference between sowing sparingly and sowing generously? What does Paul say about the attitude we should have when we give?
3. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned that generosity is a reflection of God’s own nature, pointing to John 3:16. What did God give, and why? ([01:10:00])
4. What challenge does God give in Malachi 3:10 regarding tithing, and what does He promise in response?

Interpretation Questions

1. The pastor said, “Giving is not about funding budgets or buildings; it’s about advancing the kingdom of God and trusting Him with what we have.” How does this perspective change the way someone might view their giving? ([01:04:09])
2. The sermon talked about the principle of sowing and reaping, saying, “If you are stingy with God, God will be stingy with you.” What does this reveal about the connection between our generosity and God’s blessings? ([01:11:48])
3. The pastor challenged the church to move beyond comfortable, minimal giving and to trust God enough to give sacrificially. What does it look like to give “sacrificially” rather than just “comfortably”? ([01:16:18])
4. In the sermon, the pastor said, “Our relationship with money reveals where our trust truly lies.” How can someone tell if they are trusting God or their money? ([01:13:06])

Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “God is present with us, no matter what burdens we carry or what storms we face.” Is there a burden or storm in your life right now where you need to trust God’s presence more? What would it look like to open yourself to Him in that area? ([32:20])
2. Think about your current giving—whether it’s money, time, or resources. Would you say it’s more out of obligation, comfort, or a desire to imitate God’s generosity? What would need to change for your giving to better reflect God’s heart? ([01:10:00])
3. The sermon mentioned that “what we sow, we will reap.” Can you think of a time when you experienced this principle—either positively or negatively—in your own life? How did it affect your faith? ([01:11:48])
4. The pastor challenged the church to “test God” in the area of giving, referencing the 90-day tithing challenge. What fears or hesitations do you have about giving more generously? What would it take for you to step out in faith and try this challenge? ([01:34:01])
5. The sermon talked about giving as an act of trust and surrender. Is there an area of your finances or resources that you find hard to surrender to God? What is one step you could take this week to trust Him more in that area? ([01:13:06])
6. The pastor said, “Every act of giving—whether for bills, missions, or special projects—advances the mission of God in our community and beyond.” How does knowing this change your motivation to give? Is there a specific way you feel called to participate in God’s mission right now? ([01:33:19])
7. The sermon encouraged persistent invitation and outreach, noting that “80% of people would come to church if someone invited them.” Who is one person you can invite or reach out to this week? What’s your plan to do it? ([48:43])