I Just Want More: Embracing God Over Earthly Success

Devotional

Day 1: Success is a Gift from God, Not a Sign of His Approval

Every good thing in your life—your resources, opportunities, and even your ability to work—originates from God’s grace, not your own merit. It’s easy to look at your achievements and believe you’ve earned them, but Scripture reminds us that we are stewards, not owners, of all we possess. When we forget this, pride creeps in and we risk drifting from God, thinking our success is a sign of His approval rather than a test of our stewardship. Remembering the true source of your blessings keeps your heart humble and grateful, and guards you from the spiritual danger of self-sufficiency. [15:51]

Deuteronomy 8:11-18 (ESV)
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been tempted to take credit for your own success, and how can you intentionally thank God for His grace in that area today?

Day 2: True Worship Is Revealed by What We Value Most

Worship is not just about singing songs on Sunday; it’s about what you value most in your daily life. Whatever you give your best time, energy, and resources to—that is what you truly worship. God calls us to examine our hearts, our calendars, and even our bank statements to see if He is truly first. When we allow our success or possessions to take center stage, they become idols, but when we use them as tools to honor God, our lives become acts of worship that please Him. [12:15]

Amos 2:6-7 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted…’”

Reflection: If someone looked at your calendar and spending this week, what would they say you value most—and what is one change you can make to put God first?

Day 3: Generosity Is the Antidote to Greed

Greed is a natural part of the human condition, but generosity is God’s remedy. When you choose to give—whether it’s your time, resources, or compassion—you remind your heart that God is the true owner of all you have. Generosity not only blesses others, but it also transforms you, breaking the grip of selfishness and making you a partner in God’s work in the world. Every act of giving is a declaration that your trust is in God, not in your possessions. [20:48]

2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Reflection: Who is one person or cause you can bless this week with your time, encouragement, or resources, and how will you take a step to do it?

Day 4: The Blessings We Receive Are a Test of Stewardship

God’s blessings are not just for our enjoyment—they are a trust and a test. He watches to see if we will remember Him, return the first and best to Him, and redirect our blessings to help others. When we are faithful stewards, God entrusts us with more, not for our own glory, but so we can be a greater part of His solution in the world. The way we handle what we’ve been given reveals our hearts and shapes our legacy for the next generation. [25:33]

Luke 16:10-12 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God is testing your stewardship, and how can you respond in faithfulness today?

Day 5: The Greatest Treasure Is Knowing Christ

All the success, wealth, and status in the world are worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus. The apostle Paul counted everything as loss—rubbish, even dung—compared to gaining Christ. At the end of your life, what will matter most is not what you owned, but whether you truly knew and loved Jesus. He gave up everything so you could be rich in Him, and the invitation is open for you to want more of Him above all else. [27:17]

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that is keeping you from fully pursuing more of Jesus, and how can you surrender it to Him today?

Sermon Summary

The longing for “more” is a universal human experience, but the real question is: more of what? Our culture, and even the church at times, is obsessed with more—more stuff, more success, more comfort. Yet, what God truly desires for us is to want more of Him. During my sabbatical, God impressed on me the urgent need to return to His Word as our foundation, not just for knowledge, but for transformation. The book of Amos, though ancient, speaks directly to our modern context. Israel, in its golden age, mistook material success for God’s approval, becoming self-absorbed and indifferent to the suffering around them. Amos, a humble shepherd, was called to confront this spiritual blindness, reminding the people that prosperity without compassion and justice is empty.

Success is a double-edged sword. It can be a tool for worship, a platform to honor God and bless others, or it can become an idol that demands our devotion and distracts us from God. The true test of our hearts is not how much we have, but what we do with what we have. Worship is not confined to singing or Sunday gatherings; it’s revealed in what we value most—our time, our money, our attention. Our credit card statements and calendars often reveal our true objects of worship.

Moses warned Israel that when blessings increase, pride and forgetfulness of God often follow. We must remember that every good thing we have is a gift from God, not a product of our own merit. Stewardship is the antidote: recognizing God’s ownership, returning the first and best to Him, and redirecting our blessings toward others. Generosity is not just a financial act; it’s a spiritual discipline that breaks the grip of greed and aligns our hearts with God’s purposes.

The solution to the world’s brokenness is not a miraculous zap from heaven, but God’s people living as faithful stewards—remembering, returning, and redirecting. Our blessings are a trust test: can we be trusted to use what God has given us for His glory and the good of others? Jesus is our ultimate example. He gave up everything so we could be rich in Him. The call is to want more of God, to let go of lesser pursuits, and to embrace the richness of knowing Christ above all else.

Key Takeaways

1. Success is a Spiritual Test, Not a Sign of God’s Approval Material prosperity can easily deceive us into thinking we have God’s favor, but it often tests our hearts more than hardship does. When life is easy, we’re tempted to forget God and become self-reliant, losing compassion for others. True spiritual health is measured not by abundance, but by our dependence on God and our care for those in need. Amos reminds us that unchecked success can lead to spiritual blindness and injustice. [05:52]
2. Worship Is Revealed by What We Value Most Worship is not just about singing or attending church; it’s about what we assign the highest worth in our lives. Our spending, our schedules, and our attention all reveal what we truly worship. If our “more” is directed toward possessions or status, those things become idols. But when we use our resources to honor God and serve others, our success becomes a tool for worship. [12:15]
3. Stewardship Begins with Remembering the Source Everything we have—our talents, opportunities, and resources—originates from God’s grace, not our own effort. Recognizing this truth humbles us and cultivates gratitude. When we see someone struggling, our response should be, “If not for the grace of God, that could be me.” This perspective fuels compassion and keeps us grounded in humility. [17:39]
4. Generosity Is the Antidote to Greed Greed is a natural human tendency, but generosity is a spiritual discipline that breaks its power. Every act of giving is a declaration that God is the owner and we are stewards. Redirecting our blessings to meet the needs of others not only changes lives but also transforms our own hearts, aligning us with God’s character and mission. [20:48]
5. Jesus Is the Standard and Source of True Riches The ultimate model of generosity is Jesus, who gave up everything so we could be rich in Him. All earthly achievements and possessions are “rubbish” compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Eternal life and intimacy with God are the true riches we should seek, and everything else pales in comparison. [28:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - The Desire for More
[01:10] - Why Amos?
[02:00] - The Bowflex Story: Blessings Become Burdens
[03:19] - When Blessings Turn to Burdens
[04:09] - Israel’s Golden Age and Spiritual Blindness
[05:34] - The Danger of Success
[06:22] - Injustice and Indifference in Israel
[07:23] - The Paradox of Wealth and Discontent
[09:07] - Archaeology Confirms Amos’ Context
[10:02] - Success: Tool for Worship or Idol?
[12:15] - What Is True Worship?
[13:12] - Moses’ Warning: Don’t Forget God
[16:28] - The Call to Stewardship
[17:39] - Remembering God’s Grace
[19:08] - Returning the First to God
[20:48] - Redirecting Blessings: Generosity in Action
[22:23] - The Impact of Generosity Locally
[23:59] - God’s Solution: You Are the Answer
[25:33] - The Trust Test of Blessings
[26:03] - Jesus and the Church of Laodicea
[28:05] - Paul’s Perspective: True Riches in Christ
[29:17] - The Gospel of Generosity
[30:30] - Wanting More of God
[31:53] - Repentance and Regeneration
[33:11] - Surrender and New Life in Christ

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: “I Just Want More” (Amos & the Test of Success)**

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### Bible Reading

**Amos 2:6-7 (ESV)**
> Thus says the Lord:
> “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
> because they sell the righteous for silver,
> and the needy for a pair of sandals—
> those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth
> and turn aside the way of the afflicted…”

**Deuteronomy 8:11-18 (ESV)**
> “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God… Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth…”

**Philippians 3:8 (ESV)**
> “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

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### Observation Questions

In Amos 2:6-7, what specific injustices does God accuse Israel of committing during their time of prosperity?
According to Deuteronomy 8:11-18, what warning does Moses give the people of Israel about the dangers of prosperity and forgetting God?
In the sermon, what evidence did the pastor give that Israel’s “golden age” led to spiritual blindness and a lack of compassion? [[06:05]]
How does Paul describe his own achievements and possessions in Philippians 3:8, and what does he say is of surpassing worth?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does God see Israel’s material success as a spiritual test rather than a sign of His approval? How does unchecked prosperity lead to spiritual blindness and injustice? [[05:52]]
What does it mean that “worship is revealed by what we value most”? How can our spending and schedules become indicators of what we truly worship? [[12:15]]
The sermon says, “If not for the grace of God, that could be me.” How does remembering the source of our blessings change our attitude toward those who are struggling? [[17:39]]
Why is generosity described as the antidote to greed? How does giving break the power of greed in our lives and align us with God’s purposes? [[20:48]]

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### Application Questions

The pastor said, “Success is one of the most dangerous things for your spiritual life.” When in your life have you felt most tempted to forget God because things were going well? What helped you stay grounded? [[05:52]]
If someone looked at your calendar and credit card statement, what would they say you value most? Is there anything you want to change about how you spend your time or money to better reflect your worship of God? [[12:15]]
Think of a time when you saw someone in need or struggling. Did you feel compassion, or did you judge them? How can you remind yourself, “If not for the grace of God, that could be me,” the next time you encounter someone in need? [[17:39]]
The sermon challenged us to “return the first and best to God.” What does giving God your “first and best” look like in your current season of life? Is there a specific area where you need to trust God more with your resources? [[19:08]]
Generosity is more than just giving money—it’s a way of life. What is one practical way you can redirect your blessings to help someone else this week? [[20:48]]
The pastor said, “Our blessings are a trust test: can we be trusted to use what God has given us for His glory and the good of others?” How are you currently stewarding what God has given you? Is there an area where you sense God calling you to be more generous or intentional? [[25:33]]
Paul said he considered everything “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ. Are there any “lesser pursuits” or things you’re holding onto that you need to let go of in order to want more of God? What would it look like to pursue the “richness of knowing Christ” above all else this month? [[28:05]]

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Sermon Clips

Success becomes a tool for worship or an idol that demands it. It's either that God has given and gifted you with success. We're going to talk about some scriptural proof that that success was a gift from God. That God has given you a success and that success is meant to be a tool for worship, for you to give back to him. It builds your platform. It gives you opportunity to express who God is. To the people around you who see that success, that's when success becomes a tool. But if it doesn't become a tool to worship God with, it becomes an idol that demands all of our focus and all of our attention. [00:10:08] (38 seconds) #SuccessAsWorship

The Bible says the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. It all belongs to him. And so if it all belongs to him, the solution, the solution for us is stewardship. Stewardship is a biblical word that acknowledges God's ownership. You're not an owner, you're a manager. You're not an owner, you're a steward. [00:16:23] (23 seconds) #StewardshipNotOwnership

The difference in that person in me is not my grit. It's not my hard work. It's not my intellect. It's not my talents and gifts. If the difference in that person in me is the grace of God. If not for the grace of God, that homeless person would be me. That person who cannot get over their crippling anxiety and depression. And you want to say, why don't they just get it to, if not for the grace of God, that's you, that's me. That person who can't stop going back to the pills and can't go stop going back to alcohol and drug addiction. And they do it over and over again. All their family wants them to get it. Why don't they just get it together? That's the wrong question. The statement is, if not for the grace of God, that person is me. Care for the souls of people because you are where you are because of what God gave you. [00:18:12] (45 seconds) #GraceNotGrit

The biblical standard of tithing, 10% is not a payment. It's a proclamation. It's a statement. It's me proclaiming. I don't own this. I didn't just wake up and create an environment where I could have this blessing. This belongs to God and he requires the first to go back to him. It's a, it's not a payment. It's a proclamation. It's saying I would rather be in partnership with God with 90% than be fighting with God with a hundred percent. [00:19:23] (34 seconds) #TithingIsProclamation

Generosity is the antidote for greed. Greed is natural. You don't have to wake up and go, I'm going to work at it. I'm going to try to be greedy. Look at little kids. I got two little cars to play with and I'm two years old and you want one of my cars. You about to get one upside the head. I think I still have one. I'm going to try to be greedy. I'm going to try to be greedy. I have cars, uh, scars from my cousins, right? You got two cars. I just want one. We don't share. Greed is natural. It's normal. It's a human. It's part of the human condition. The antidote for greed, thinking of other people and redirecting those blessings. Every time you give, you remind your heart who's in charge. I'm not in charge. God's in charge. You remind your charge. Who's the owner? Your, your heart, who the owner is. I'm not the owner. God's the owner. [00:20:30] (45 seconds) #GenerosityBeatsGreed

If a man gains the whole world and loses his soul, he's got nothing. But if it costs him everything he's got, there's a pearl of great price and it's worth whatever you have to trade. And that pearl is Jesus Christ. There's nothing more valuable and nothing more important than that. [00:28:26] (21 seconds) #SoulOverWorldlyGain

Did you know when you, when you lie on your deathbed someday and you know, this is the end, most of us would trade everything. We have all the money in the world to get five more years of life. Most people would because all that stuff will matter at the end of your life. What will matter is what's on the other side of that last breath, the richness of knowing Jesus. And eternal life. [00:29:52] (29 seconds) #EternalLifeMattersMost

``My prayer in this series is that we want more of him. The sermon series is called, I just want more. And the idea is to, to rebel against a culture that is ensconced in more and more and more stuff and say, no, God, I just want more of you. My prayer is that you ask God, Lord, I just want more of you. The most rich individual in the history of the, the cosmos became poor so that you could be rich in Christ. And he didn't tithe his blood. He poured out a hundred percent of his blood. [00:30:24] (36 seconds) #IJustWantMore

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