Faith, Generosity, and Trusting God Amid Uncertainty

Devotional

Day 1: Consistent Generosity Amid Uncertainty

Smart spirituality means not letting uncertain circumstances cause inconsistent commitment, especially in generosity. Even when the world feels unstable, and the future is unclear, God calls us to keep sowing seeds of kindness, service, and giving. The economy, politics, or your own fears do not control your harvest—God does. When you trust Him enough to give, even when you can't predict the outcome, you are living out a faith that expects God to turn your gratefulness into a harvest. Keep your seed in the ground, and trust that God is working, even when you can't see it. [01:31:26]

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (ESV)
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Reflection: What is one area where fear of the unknown has kept you from being generous? How can you take a step of faith and give or serve today, trusting God with the outcome?

Day 2: God Is in Charge of the Harvest

There are things in life you simply cannot control—the timing, the method, and the amount of your harvest are all in God's hands. Just as you can't predict when rain will fall or how a child forms in the womb, you can't always see how your acts of generosity will return to you. But God has a way of making a way, even when you can't see it. He can reach into places you never expected and provide exactly what you need, just like Big Mama always had something tucked away for hard times. Trust that God is working behind the scenes, and keep sowing your seed. [01:45:12]

Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 (ESV)
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Reflection: Where have you been waiting for “perfect conditions” before acting in faith? What is one step you can take today to trust God with the “how” and “when” of your harvest?

Day 3: Embrace the Mystery, Walk in Consistency

There is a mystery to how God multiplies our giving and our kindness. You may not always see immediate results, but God is developing something deep and strong beneath the surface, like the bamboo tree that spends years growing roots before shooting up overnight. Embrace the mystery of the unknown, and keep walking in the consistency that produces a harvest. Your faithfulness in sowing—whether in finances, encouragement, or service—will not go unnoticed by God, and in due season, He will bring forth a harvest you cannot contain. [01:46:36]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Reflection: Is there an area where you’ve grown weary because you haven’t seen results? How can you renew your commitment to consistent generosity or service, trusting God with the timing?

Day 4: Generosity Is a Heart Posture, Not Just a Hand Action

True generosity is not just about giving in church or tithing; it’s about having a generous heart that looks for opportunities to bless others everywhere. Whether it’s tipping your server, helping a neighbor, or offering a kind word, God calls us to be generous in every area of life. Your generosity can lift someone’s spirit, meet a need, and show the love of Christ in practical ways. Ask God to show you where and how you can sow seeds of kindness and provision today, both inside and outside the church. [01:49:45]

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)
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: Who is one person outside your usual circle that you can bless today—through your time, resources, or encouragement?

Day 5: Jesus Invested in You—Now Invest in Others

At your lowest, when you were at your worst, Jesus invested in you with His grace, mercy, and love. He sowed His life so that you could be part of God’s harvest of righteousness. Because you have received so much, you are called to invest in others—meeting needs, sharing hope, and pointing people to Christ. Remember, you can’t beat God giving; the more you give, the more God can do through you. Let your life be a testimony of the goodness of Jesus, and let your generosity be a reflection of His investment in you. [01:54:49]

John 12:24 (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Reflection: How has Jesus’ investment in your life changed you? What is one way you can intentionally invest in someone else’s life this week, reflecting His love and generosity?

Sermon Summary

When reflecting on the goodness of God, it’s impossible not to be overwhelmed with gratitude for how He has kept us—even when we were at our lowest, even when we were wild and far from Him. God’s grace wraps us up, sustains us, and gives us reason to celebrate and share our stories with others. We are a community that finds joy in Jesus, and that joy is not dependent on our circumstances or what the world gives, but on the faithfulness of God.

We are called to do life together, to grow in faith, and to support one another. This is not just about attending church, but about being the church—serving, giving, and partnering with others both locally and globally. Our partnership with organizations like World Vision and our support for federal workers during times of crisis are tangible expressions of our collective generosity and commitment to meeting needs as a family. We are reminded that when one of us is in need, we all step up, just as families have always done.

Generosity is a spiritual discipline, not just a financial transaction. While there have been abuses and missteps in the church regarding money, we cannot let fear or cynicism rob us of the blessing and purpose of giving. Ecclesiastes teaches us about “smart spirituality”—living wisely, sowing generously, and trusting God with the outcomes. Life is full of uncertainties, but our faith is in the “known One,” not in our circumstances. God is in charge of the when, the how, and the how much of our harvest. Our job is to keep sowing, to keep being generous, even when we can’t predict the results.

The principle is simple: God turns grateful faith into a harvest when we sow generously and steadily amid uncertainty. Sometimes, the results are not immediate or visible, but like the bamboo tree that spends years developing roots before shooting up, God is working beneath the surface. We are called to embrace the mystery, to sow in every season, and to trust that God will bring the increase in due season.

Generosity is not just about what we do in church, but how we live every day—blessing others, looking for opportunities to give, and showing the world the love of Christ through our actions. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example: He invested in us when we were at our worst, sowing His life so that we could become the harvest of God’s righteousness. We are called to follow His example, to be generous in every way, and to trust that we can never outgive God.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Keeping Grace Is Our Testimony No matter how far we’ve wandered or how “raggedy” our past, God’s grace has kept us. This is not just a personal story but a communal one—we are all recipients of His mercy, and our gratitude should overflow into worship and testimony. Remembering how God has kept us fuels our faith and our willingness to share that hope with others. [53:00]
2. Generosity Is a Spiritual Discipline, Not a Transaction While skepticism about giving is understandable due to abuses, we must not let fear or cynicism keep us from the spiritual discipline of generosity. Giving is not about manipulation or personal gain, but about glorifying God and serving others. True generosity is rooted in discernment and a desire to plant seeds in God-honoring soil, trusting Him with the results. [83:36]
3. Faith in the Known One Conquers Fear of the Unknown Life is filled with uncertainties—financial, relational, and societal. The way to overcome fear is not by waiting for perfect conditions, but by placing our faith in the God who is unchanging and sovereign. When we trust the “known One,” we can move forward in generosity and obedience, even when the outcomes are unclear. [85:37]
4. Consistent Generosity Amid Uncertainty Brings Divine Harvest Ecclesiastes teaches that we should not let uncertain circumstances cause inconsistent commitment. God is in charge of the timing, method, and magnitude of our harvest. Our responsibility is to keep sowing—both in the church and in everyday life—knowing that God will bring the increase in His due season, often in ways we cannot see or predict. [92:00]
5. Generosity Extends Beyond the Offering Plate A generous heart is not limited to tithes and offerings; it seeks opportunities to bless others in every context. Whether it’s tipping a server, helping a neighbor, or offering a word of encouragement, our daily acts of kindness are seeds that God can use to bring about a harvest. The world sees Jesus through our hands and hearts when we live generously everywhere we go. [109:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[52:16] - Reflecting on God’s Keeping Grace
[53:28] - Sharing Our Stories of God’s Faithfulness
[56:19] - Joy in Worship and Community
[61:07] - Welcoming Guests and Staying Connected
[63:09] - Partnering with World Vision and Matthew 25 Challenge
[67:10] - Supporting Federal Workers and Restoration Project
[70:11] - The Call to Generosity and Tithing
[79:46] - Addressing Skepticism About Giving
[83:36] - Generosity as a Spiritual Discipline
[85:37] - Faith Over Fear: Trusting God in Uncertainty
[89:26] - Smart Spirituality from Ecclesiastes
[92:00] - Consistent Generosity Amid Uncertainty
[95:20] - God’s Timing, Method, and Magnitude of Harvest
[109:33] - Generosity Beyond the Church
[113:25] - Jesus: The Ultimate Investment
[116:34] - Invitation to Salvation and Church Family
[123:30] - Blessing and Sending Forth in Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (ESV) — 1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Observation Questions

According to Ecclesiastes 11:1-2, what is the writer encouraging us to do with our “bread” or resources?
In verse 4, what does the writer say about waiting for perfect conditions before sowing or reaping?
The sermon mentions that “God is in charge of the when, the how, and the how much of our harvest.” What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this point? [01:35:20]
What are some practical ways the St. Mark community has shown generosity to others, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:07:10]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Ecclesiastes warn against waiting for the “right conditions” before acting generously? What does this reveal about faith and trust in God?
The pastor said, “Generosity is a spiritual discipline, not just a transaction.” What does it mean for generosity to be a discipline rather than just something we do occasionally? [01:23:36]
How does remembering God’s “keeping grace” in our own lives motivate us to be generous toward others? [53:00]
The sermon compares God’s work in our lives to the bamboo tree, which grows roots for years before shooting up. What does this analogy teach us about the results of consistent generosity? [01:40:38]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us not to let fear or cynicism about giving keep us from being generous. Have you ever hesitated to give because of past abuses or disappointments? How can you move past that fear? [01:23:36]
The pastor said, “If you tithe on a Sunday, but don’t tip at the restaurant on Sunday afternoon, you’re not generous.” In what areas of your life outside of church could you practice more everyday generosity? [01:48:05]
Think about a time when you were “at your lowest” and God’s grace kept you. How can sharing that story encourage someone else this week? [53:00]
The sermon described generosity as “sowing seed” even when we can’t predict the outcome. Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel called to give, serve, or encourage, even though you don’t know what will happen? What’s holding you back? [01:33:05]
The St. Mark family stepped up to support federal workers during a crisis. Is there someone in your circle or community who is in need right now? What is one practical way you could help them this week? [01:07:10]
The pastor said, “God can bless this and that”—meaning both our giving at church and our kindness in daily life. What is one new way you can look for “soil” to sow into this week, whether it’s financial, time, or encouragement? [02:03:56]
Jesus is described as the ultimate example of generosity, investing in us when we were at our worst. How does this truth challenge or inspire you to be more generous, even when it’s hard? [01:53:25]

Sermon Clips

If there is no God or if God is uninvolved, then life is pointless but with God in your life, that which is meaningless becomes meaningful. That which is worthless becomes something of value. That for which you see no point becomes something that has a clear definable and discernible purpose. That's smart spirituality. It is doing everything in life knowing that there is someone above the sun that makes life worth living. [01:29:21] (33 seconds) #MeaningfulLife

Your life is worth living. It's worth getting up. Listen, it's worth getting up and going to that job that you used to like but now you can't stand because when God gets involved that job becomes a place of purpose not just a place of employment. It's worth living. It's worth dealing with those difficult people that speak sharply to you while you're trying to speak sweetly to them and though you could cuss them out, somehow you learn how to curve your cusses into sweet blessings because when God gets involved God is softening up that hard heart so that the seed of the gospel can find fertile soil. [01:29:56] (39 seconds) #PurposeInWork

Don't let uncertain circumstances cause inconsistent commitment. You should be committed in every area but in this passage in particular to consistent generosity despite because circumstances do not control your harvest. Economy does not control your prosperity. I'm talking better to you than you're talking to me. What's happening in the world does not determine how the kingdom functions and operates and the kingdom principle is that consistent generosity brings about divine harvest. [01:31:44] (46 seconds) #ConsistentGenerosity

God says I'm in charge of your harvest and I'm in charge of the when your harvest. I'm also in charge of the how of your harvest. I'm getting ready to get happy. God says I'm also in charge of the how much. I'm in charge of the how much of your harvest as well. [01:35:23] (32 seconds) #GodsHarvest

I need you to know God is working in places you can't see. When it finally breaks through the soil, of your situation, it will be obvious and conspicuous. It will be something you cannot hide. It will be blessings that are beyond description and beyond explanation. But you gotta trust God in the waiting season. In the season of insignificance and invisibility. [01:41:05] (29 seconds) #TrustTheProcess

He invested in your raggedy self. When you were out there being crazy and no good, he invested in you another day. When you were out there being crazy and no good, he invested in you grace and mercy. When you were crazy and no good, he invested favor and protection, put his angels all around you and kept you from accidents and incidents and kept you alive and gave you brand new mercy to meet you this morning and the grace gift of another day. Is there anybody here that's glad he invested in you? [01:53:48] (33 seconds)

Except a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, there can be no harvest and thanks be to God early on a Sunday morning he was the first fruit of those who will rise from the dead and you and I are the harvest of God who sold his son into our sinfulness so he could reap us in his righteousness and y'all, I'm glad that there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins and sinners who plunged beneath that flood lose all cause he invested in us we are his harvest of righteousness we're the heaping harvest of holiness. [01:54:25] (49 seconds)

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