Embracing Generosity: The True Life Beyond Money

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Wealth and the Call to Compassion

Jesus warns that wealth can blind us to the needs of others, urging us to notice and care for those who suffer at our gates. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus paints a vivid picture of the reversal that comes when we ignore the suffering of the poor, reminding us that true life is found not in luxury, but in compassion and generosity. The rich man, unnamed and indifferent, steps over Lazarus daily, missing the opportunity to show mercy, and ultimately finds himself separated from comfort and community. This story challenges us to examine our own lives for ways we might be overlooking those in need and to remember that God values the one who suffers and is forgotten by the world. [21:16]

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Reflection: Who is the “Lazarus” at your gate today—someone in need whom you might be overlooking? What is one concrete way you can show compassion to them this week?

Day 2: Contentment and the True Source of Life

We are called to be content with what we have, recognizing that the love of money leads us away from the life that is truly life. The pursuit of more—more possessions, more comfort, more security—can distract us from the richness of life God offers, which is found in generosity, simplicity, and trust. The writer of 1 Timothy reminds us that real life is not about accumulating wealth, but about seizing eternal life now by letting go of our anxieties about money and focusing on what truly matters. This contentment frees us from fear and opens us to deeper joy and connection with God and others. [28:50]

1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 (ESV)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs... As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find yourself striving for “more” instead of practicing contentment? What is one step you can take today to trust God with your needs and focus on what truly matters?

Day 3: Listening to God’s Warnings and Invitations

God repeatedly warns us about the dangers of wealth and the importance of caring for others, giving us clear guidance through Scripture and the voices of the prophets. The message is not hidden or mysterious—it is an open book test, and God has even given us the answer key: let go of the love of money and embrace generosity. Yet, we often delay obedience, making excuses or waiting for a more convenient time. The call is urgent and clear: respond now, not later, to God’s invitation to real life. [31:25]

Amos 6:4-7 (ESV)
“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.”

Reflection: What is one warning or invitation from God that you have been ignoring or postponing? How can you take a step of obedience today, trusting that God’s way leads to real life?

Day 4: The Transforming Power of Generosity

Choosing to give generously, especially when it feels risky, transforms our relationship with money and with God. When we let go of our fear and trust God enough to give sacrificially, we discover freedom from anxiety and a deeper sense of belonging in the community of faith. Generosity is not just about writing a check; it is about releasing our grip on what we think will keep us safe and finding joy in supporting the work of God’s people. This act of giving changes us, making us more open, grateful, and connected to the life that is really life. [35:31]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 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.”

Reflection: What fear or hesitation holds you back from giving more generously? What is one way you can step out in faith and practice generosity this week?

Day 5: The Church as a Community of Real Life

The church is a unique community where we learn, practice, and receive the life that is truly life—a life of generosity, service, and deep connection. Supporting the church is not just about meeting a budget; it is about investing in a place where the teachings of Jesus and the prophets are lived out, where the poor are cared for, and where we find encouragement to grow in love and faith. By giving to the church, we participate in God’s work in the world and help create a community that transcends expectations in generosity, good works, and spiritual growth. [36:30]

Acts 2:44-47 (ESV)
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Reflection: How has being part of the church community shaped your understanding of generosity and real life? What is one way you can invest more deeply in the life and mission of your church this season?

Sermon Summary

Money is something we all know and interact with, and it’s easy to think about what we could do if we had more of it—save, invest, buy things, or even give some away. But Jesus speaks about money more than almost any other topic, warning us of its power to blind us to the needs of others and to distract us from what truly matters. The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke’s Gospel is a vivid reminder: the rich man, who lived in luxury, ignored the suffering of Lazarus at his gate. In the end, their fortunes are reversed, and the rich man’s blindness to Lazarus’ need becomes his own torment.

This theme runs throughout Scripture. Amos condemns those who live in comfort while ignoring the suffering of their neighbors. First Timothy reminds us that “the love of money is the root of all evil,” and calls us to be content with the basics—food and clothing—rather than constantly seeking more. The pursuit of “the life” as defined by luxury and comfort is a false promise; true life, “the life that really is life,” is found in generosity, compassion, and community.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the needs around us or to feel that our own security must come first. But God has given us the answer key: let go of the hold money has on us, and step into real life by giving, especially to those in need. This isn’t just about writing a check now and then; it’s about a transformation of heart and habit. My own journey with giving—moving from sporadic charity to regular, sacrificial giving—changed my relationship with money and deepened my sense of belonging in the church. The fear that there won’t be enough fades when we trust God and give generously.

The church is a unique community where we hear these truths, care for one another, and serve the world together. Supporting the church financially is not just about keeping the lights on; it’s about investing in a community that embodies Christ’s call to love, serve, and give. As we begin our stewardship campaign, we are invited to transcend expectations—not just in fundraising, but in generosity, good works, and spiritual growth. Together, we can seize the life that is truly life.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Subtle Power of Money to Blind Us Money’s greatest danger is not in what it can buy, but in how it can quietly blind us to the suffering of others. Like the rich man in Jesus’ parable, we can become so absorbed in our own comfort and pursuits that we fail to see the “Lazarus” at our own gates. This blindness is not just a moral failing, but a spiritual one, cutting us off from the life God intends for us. [21:16]
2. True Contentment Is Radically Simple Scripture challenges us to be content with the basics—food and clothing—while our culture constantly urges us to want more. This radical contentment is not about asceticism, but about freedom: when we are satisfied with enough, we are liberated from the endless cycle of desire and anxiety. It is in this simplicity that we discover the “life that really is life.” [28:30]
3. Generosity Transforms the Giver Giving is not just a duty or a transaction; it is a spiritual practice that changes us. When we move from occasional charity to regular, sacrificial giving, we confront our fears about scarcity and security. In trusting God with our resources, we find that generosity brings peace, joy, and a deeper sense of belonging in community. [34:23]
4. The Church as a Unique Community of Generosity The church is not just another charity; it is a community where we are continually reminded of God’s call to generosity, justice, and compassion. Supporting the church means investing in a place where we both give and receive care, where we are formed in Christ’s likeness, and where we join others in serving the world. This mutuality is at the heart of “real life.” [35:31]
5. God Has Already Given Us the Answer Key We often act as if the way to live is a mystery, but God has made it plain through Scripture and the witness of Jesus: let go of the love of money, care for those in need, and seize the life that is truly life. The challenge is not in knowing what to do, but in having the courage to do it—trusting that God’s way leads to abundance, not lack. [31:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:01] - Talking with the Children About Money
[11:03] - What Would You Do With a Lot of Money?
[12:00] - The Joy of Giving and Real Happiness
[21:16] - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
[24:30] - The Danger of Money in Jesus’ Teachings
[26:45] - Scriptural Warnings: Amos and 1 Timothy
[28:30] - Contentment and the Life That Is Really Life
[31:25] - God’s Open Book Test: Letting Go of Money’s Hold
[32:36] - A Personal Story: Learning to Give
[33:32] - Moving from Charity to Pledging
[34:23] - The Spiritual Impact of Tithing
[35:31] - Why Giving to Church Matters
[37:00] - Launching the Stewardship Campaign
[41:00] - How to Pledge and Matching Gifts
[44:00] - Community Announcements and Upcoming Events
[49:48] - Closing and Final Blessings

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) – The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus —
> “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 (ESV) —
> “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs... As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Amos 6:1, 4-7 (ESV) —
> “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria... Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.”

Observation Questions

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, what details does Jesus give about the lives of both men, and how do their situations change after death? (Luke 16:19-31)
According to 1 Timothy 6, what does the writer say is the root of all kinds of evil, and what does he say we should be content with? (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
In Amos 6, what are the people criticized for, and what are they failing to notice or care about? (Amos 6:1, 4-7)
The sermon mentions that Jesus talks about money more than almost any other topic. What are some reasons given for why money is so spiritually dangerous? [24:30]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to name Lazarus in the parable, but not the rich man? What might this say about how God sees people? [21:16]
The sermon says that money can “blind us to the suffering of others.” In what ways can comfort and abundance make it harder to notice or respond to the needs around us? [24:30]
1 Timothy talks about being content with “food and clothing.” What does this kind of contentment look like in our culture today, and why might it be so difficult to practice? [28:30]
The pastor shared a personal story about moving from occasional charity to regular, sacrificial giving. How did this change her relationship with money and with the church? [34:23]

Application Questions

The rich man in Jesus’ story ignored Lazarus at his own gate. Who might be the “Lazarus” at your gate—someone in need whom you tend to overlook? What would it look like to notice and respond to them this week? [21:16]
The sermon challenges us to be content with the basics. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to have more, buy more, or upgrade? How could you practice “radical contentment” in a specific way this month? [28:30]
The pastor described how giving regularly and sacrificially changed her fears about not having enough. What fears or anxieties do you have about giving? What might help you take a step toward more generous giving? [34:23]
The sermon says that generosity is not just about writing a check now and then, but about a transformation of heart and habit. What is one habit you could start (or stop) that would help you become a more generous person? [34:23]
Supporting the church is described as “investing in a community that embodies Christ’s call to love, serve, and give.” How do you see our church living this out? Is there a way you could participate more fully in this mission? [35:31]
The sermon says God has already given us the “answer key” for how to live: let go of the love of money, care for those in need, and seize the life that is truly life. Which of these is most challenging for you right now, and what is one step you could take to move forward? [31:25]
The stewardship campaign is about “transcending expectations” in generosity, good works, and spiritual growth. What is one expectation—of yourself, your giving, or your involvement in church—that you feel called to transcend this year? [37:00]

Sermon Clips

when we buy those things, they don't actually make us happy.And that what makes us happy is giving it to people who need it more than we do. Does that make sense? Yeah. So like you said, we give it to charity. We give it to services for the unhoused.Because they need it more than we do. And they don't have necessarily a way to get it on their own all the time, huh? [00:11:57]

do you know that jesus talks about the danger of money more than any other topic except the kingdom of god he talks about money and what it does to us if we're holding on to it almost more than any other topic and we have heard about this all summer remember you cannot serve both god and money remember you must to follow me you must give up all your possessions remember the parable of the dishonest manager who was a real you know unethical person about money and then we have all of the readings today not just the gospel it's not just the gospel of luke it's all of the readings today that speak about this the danger of money [00:23:59]

it's a very common jewish story and also in greek and roman literature these parables these fables in which extremes the the smart and the foolish the very rich and the very poor are presented as a sort of a dichotomy and then there's a reversal the same reversal that you see in this story in which the rich man who never gave uh the time of day much less a crumb of food to abraham is in hades and i mean to lazarus is in is in hades and lazarus is now resting with abraham in heaven comforted loved [00:24:57]

the rich man never takes notice of lazarus he must be stepping over him to get into his house saying could somebody get rid of this homeless man for me he just wants some scraps from the rich man's table lazarus but he doesn't beg you never see him begging he's just wishing he could get it the dogs are eating better than him and in fact the dogs are licking his sores it's a very vivid story that jesus paints to make us see the dramatic difference between the haves and the have -nots and the incredible ability that those with a lot to be blinded to the needs of those who have little to nothing [00:25:38]

we get blinded by excess and we ignore lazarus we ignore the young housed we ignore the people getting deported without due process i just i can't look at the news anymore it's happening and i know i just i can't think of anything to do so i'm just i'm not going to look at it anymore we ignore the people are losing their jobs i can't read another news story about another business that's gone up or another federal agency i can't i can't and then we say it let's get out of town let's get away from all this let's go to the wine country let's go stay at our mountain cabin let's go buy another car let's go for shopping therapy [00:29:08]

you ever notice that shopping therapy doesn't work though i've always thought that was weird when people said shopping therapy because you get that that third video game and then you realize that you just as bored with the third video game as you did with game number two and game number one because the fun ends it ends [00:29:52]

when the writer of first timothy speaks of eternal life or real life they mean life now eternal life to god means life now because eternity is now for god so it means how we live now so we're supposed to seize and take hold of eternal life now or seize and take hold of the life that is really life life now [00:30:10]

how many times does god need to tell us right through amos and timothy and luke luke luke luke luke luke luke luke luke luke luke and isaiah and jeremiah how many times does god need to tell us and yet still money has such a hold on us [00:31:08]

it's an open book test.And I said, it's actually a step beyond that. It's given us the answer key. This is the answer. I'm telling you, just write it down. Let go. Let go of your love of money. Let go of its hold on you. [00:31:27]

i had never had more money than I needed to survive until I was in my early 30s.And then I went from being a struggling single mother to a quite successful, well -paid single mother. I had bought a home. And for the first time in my life, I had more money than I needed to live on. I put a lot of money in savings. I started a college savings for my daughter. We went on a big fancy trip.And then I filed my taxes that year with TurboTax, of course, I worked for Intuit.And at the end, it said you could press a button and run a comparison report on how you compare to other people with the same amount of income, like what your deductions and things like that. So I said, okay, let's see if I could have done better with my deductions.And I was pretty much where everyone else was, except for, and this is good little Catholic girl going to church every Sunday, I was not at all charitable.I thought taking care of the poor was buying a couple of turkeys on Thanksgiving and taking it to the Second Harvest Food Bank. I thought that was charity.Because I'd never had extra money, but now I had it.And when I realized that I'd been holding on to money and not giving anything to charity, I felt really embarrassed. [00:32:11]

it changed my relationship with church and with money to say, you have this fear that if you give up this money, you're going to die or something, or your kid's not going to be taken care of, or you won't be okay in retirement. You know, but all that fear went away when I finally just said, I'm going to do it.I'm going to give it. [00:35:13]

you have this fear that if you give up this money, you're going to die or something, or your kid's not going to be taken care of, or you won't be okay in retirement. You know, but all that fear went away when I finally just said, I'm going to do it.I'm going to give it. [00:35:18]

i want to talk about why giving to church is an excellent way to listen to what the prophets and jesus are saying to us this is real life this is the life that is really life [00:35:49]

this is real life this is the life that is really life this is the only place where we're going to keep hearing jesus and the prophets telling us stop being worried about money stop holding on to your multiple possessions go ahead and give it away it's going to be a better life take care of the poor feed the hungry clothe the unhoused take care of the sick the lonely the grieving the dying this is the only institution that does all those things and provides a community of us who want to do it and want to do it with other people and by the way receive those things when we need them that's what church is it's a unique institution [00:35:58]

we also as the members of this church church are the only ones who are going to give to this church other people will give to political causes to hospitals to research foundations and i'm not saying we shouldn't do those things i give to a food bank as well but we're the only ones who are going to support this church this is the real life the life the life of the spirit the life of community [00:36:39]

this is the real life the life the life of the spirit the life of community and so i hope you will think about giving generous to the church during this stewardship season and that together when we celebrate we will say ah this is the of the life amen [00:36:59]

we want to transcend expectations for how many good works we can do out in the community with our with some of the money we have received and we want to transcend expectations for how deeply we can grow in our love and knowledge of Christ and one another in all of the offerings that we are presenting [00:49:20]

if you think about it trying to raise a lot of money is like climbing a mountain we are trying to raise 1 .4 million which would get us out of deficit spendand finally get us to a balanced budget and we haven't had a balanced budget for 10 years at this church now 1 .4 million is 14 000 it's a 14 -er -teener we're going to climb a 14 -er -teener together and i have some wonderful news for you we are over 20 of the way already there with early pledges and early matching funds from son of our donors already over 20 of the way there [00:49:39]

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