Faith in Seasons of Abundance: Staying Focused on Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Abundance: Worshiping God When Life is Good

Even when life is filled with abundance and blessings, it is vital to continue seeking the Lord in worship, not just during times of crisis or need. Abram, after leaving Egypt with great wealth, did not let his newfound prosperity distract him from returning to the altar and calling on the name of the Lord. His example reminds us that seasons of abundance are not times to relax our devotion, but opportunities to let gratitude for God’s goodness fuel our worship. Instead of letting comfort lull us into spiritual complacency, we are called to let every good gift drive us to deeper praise and thanksgiving. [09:25]

Genesis 13:3-4 (ESV)
"And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord."

Reflection: What is one specific blessing or area of abundance in your life right now that you can intentionally thank God for in worship today?

Day 2: Let Abundance Drive Humility and Kindness

True faith in times of abundance is marked by humility and a willingness to put others first, even when we have every right to claim the best for ourselves. Abram, though he was the patriarch and had the right to choose the best land, humbly allowed Lot to pick first, showing that his wealth did not control him or diminish his character. This humility is echoed in the life of Jesus, who, though he had all authority, emptied himself and served others. Seasons of plenty are opportunities to extend kindness, generosity, and humility, making much of others rather than ourselves. [20:38]

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can serve or show kindness to this week, especially because you are in a season of abundance?

Day 3: Keeping Focus on God’s Promises, Not Just on What Looks Good

Abundance can be distracting, tempting us to focus on what is immediately appealing rather than on God’s promises and direction. Lot chose the lush, attractive land near Sodom, but his decision led him away from God’s best. In contrast, Abram kept his focus on what God had promised, even when it didn’t look as appealing on the surface. We are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and God’s promises, not just on what seems good or easy in the moment, trusting that God’s way is always better. [26:59]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to choose what looks easiest or most appealing, and how can you intentionally refocus on God’s promises today?

Day 4: Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

Abundance is not meant to be hoarded, but shared. Jesus taught his disciples that because they had freely received from God, they were to freely give to others. When we recognize that all we have is a gift from God, it frees us to be generous, open-handed, and compassionate, using our resources and blessings to bless others. This attitude keeps our hearts soft and our faith active, ensuring that abundance leads to greater love and service rather than selfishness. [20:24]

Matthew 10:8 (ESV)
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can give generously to someone in need this week, reflecting the generosity God has shown you?

Day 5: Jesus is Better Than Any Abundance

No matter how good life gets or how many blessings we experience, nothing compares to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. Seasons of abundance are not meant to overshadow our relationship with Christ, but to remind us that He is better than any earthly pleasure or possession. The true test of faith is whether we continue to overflow with gratitude and devotion to Jesus when things are good, recognizing that He alone satisfies and is worthy of our highest praise. [29:30]

John 10:10 (ESV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: Is there any good thing in your life that is threatening to overshadow your relationship with Jesus? How can you re-center your heart on Him today?

Sermon Summary

So often, the stories that move us most are those of people overcoming hardship, where faith is forged in the fires of adversity. Yet, there is a subtle challenge in seasons of abundance—a challenge that is just as spiritually significant. When life is good, when blessings are plentiful, and when we find ourselves with more than enough, it is easy to become distracted, complacent, or even forgetful of the One who is the source of every good thing. Faith is not only for the valleys; it is for the mountaintops as well. The enemy would love nothing more than for us to be lulled into spiritual sleep by comfort and plenty, to misuse the pleasures God has given, or to let abundance become a substitute for the Giver Himself.

Looking at Abram’s journey, we see a model for living faithfully in abundance. After leaving Egypt with great wealth, Abram did not let his newfound prosperity draw him away from God. Instead, he returned to the place of worship, to the altar he had built before, and called on the name of the Lord. His worship was not just a response to crisis, but a continual act, even when life was good. This is a call to let the good things in our lives—health, family, peace, provision—become fuel for deeper worship, not reasons to drift from God.

Abram’s abundance also did not inflate his ego or diminish his humility. When conflict arose between his herdsmen and Lot’s, Abram, though he had every right to claim the best for himself, deferred to Lot and let him choose first. True humility is not diminished by abundance; rather, it is revealed in how we treat others when we have the upper hand. Abundance is an opportunity to serve, to give, and to put others first, just as Christ did.

Finally, abundance tests our focus. Lot chose what looked best to the eyes, but in doing so, he moved closer to danger and further from God’s promise. Abram, on the other hand, kept his focus on God’s word and promise, even when it meant accepting what seemed less desirable. The call is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and to remember that no earthly pleasure or abundance can compare to Him. In every season, especially in abundance, Jesus is better.

Key Takeaways

1. Worship in seasons of abundance Letting abundance drive us to deeper worship is a mark of mature faith. When life is good, it is easy to forget the Lord or to coast spiritually. Yet, every good gift is an invitation to return thanks and to seek God with renewed passion. True worship is not just a cry for help in trouble, but a joyful response to God’s generosity. [06:56]
2. Humility is essential when blessed Abundance can tempt us to pride or self-sufficiency, but humility keeps our hearts soft and our relationships healthy. Abram’s willingness to let Lot choose first, despite his own rights, shows that humility is not about having little, but about thinking of others even when we have much. Humility in abundance is a powerful witness to the world and a safeguard for our souls. [17:58]
3. Focus on God’s promises, not appearances Lot’s choice was driven by what looked good, but it led him closer to danger and away from God’s best. Abundance can distract us with options and allurements, but faith keeps its eyes on God’s promises, even when they seem less immediately attractive. Fixing our focus on Jesus and His word anchors us in what truly matters, regardless of our circumstances. [26:59]
4. Abundance is a test, not just a blessing Seasons of plenty are not just rewards; they are tests of our faith, character, and priorities. The enemy can use abundance to distract or dull our spiritual senses. We must be intentional to steward abundance well, using it to honor God, serve others, and deepen our dependence on Christ, who is always better than any earthly gift. [03:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - The Power of Testimonies
[01:30] - Our Reactions to Others’ Blessings
[02:35] - Faith Needed in Abundance
[03:51] - The Enemy’s Tactic: Distraction by Abundance
[04:43] - C.S. Lewis and the Misuse of Pleasure
[05:41] - The Challenge of Faith in Good Times
[06:56] - Worshiping God in Abundance
[08:29] - Abram’s Wealth and Response
[09:25] - Returning to the Altar
[11:44] - Not Forgetting God’s Goodness
[13:00] - The Healed Man’s Worship
[15:36] - Letting Abundance Drive Worship
[16:04] - Continuing in Humility
[17:58] - Abram’s Kindness to Lot
[19:58] - Freely You Have Received, Freely Give
[21:40] - Leveraging Abundance for Others
[22:20] - Lot’s Choice and Its Consequences
[26:59] - Focusing on God’s Promises
[28:20] - The Subtle Danger of Distraction
[29:30] - Jesus is Better Than Abundance
[29:57] - Will We Abandon Jesus in Good Times?

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 13:1-18 (ESV) — > So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. ... (Read the full chapter for context.)

John 9:35-38 (ESV) — > Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) — > Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 13, what did Abram do after returning from Egypt with great wealth? What does this show about his priorities? ([09:25])
In the story of Abram and Lot, how did Abram respond to the conflict between their herdsmen? What choice did he give Lot? ([17:58])
In John 9, after the man born blind was healed, what was his response when he realized who Jesus was? ([13:52])
What does Philippians 2:5-7 say about Jesus’ attitude, and how does it relate to humility?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Abram chose to return to the altar and worship God even when he was experiencing abundance, rather than only in times of crisis? ([09:25])
What does Abram’s willingness to let Lot choose first reveal about his character and his understanding of abundance? ([17:58])
How does the healed man’s response in John 9 challenge the way we respond to God’s blessings in our own lives? ([13:52])
In what ways can abundance become a spiritual test, according to the sermon and the example of Lot’s choice? ([24:17])

Application Questions

When life is going well and you feel blessed, do you find it easier or harder to seek God in worship? What are some practical ways you can let abundance drive you to deeper worship this week? ([12:19])
Think about a recent “good thing” or blessing in your life. Did it lead you to thank and worship God, or did you just move on? How can you make gratitude and worship a regular response to God’s generosity? ([15:10])
Abram showed humility by letting Lot choose first, even though he had the right to pick. Is there a situation in your life right now where you have the “upper hand”? How could you show humility and put someone else first? ([17:58])
The sermon mentioned that abundance can tempt us to pride or self-sufficiency. Are there areas in your life where you feel tempted to rely on yourself instead of God because things are going well? How can you guard against this? ([19:31])
Lot chose what looked best, but it led him closer to danger and away from God’s promise. Are there decisions you’re facing where you’re tempted to choose based on appearances or comfort rather than God’s direction? What would it look like to fix your eyes on Jesus in those choices? ([24:17])
The sermon said, “Abundance is a test, not just a blessing.” How can you intentionally steward the good things in your life to honor God and serve others this month? ([21:40])
Is there a specific distraction or comfort in your life right now that could be pulling your focus away from Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to refocus on Him? ([28:20])

Sermon Clips

How powerful is it when someone has the world at their fingertips, yet they still have this sense that Jesus is someone who they've seen it all, they've done it all, they've experienced it all, they have had abundance in their life, and yet they still have that sense that Jesus is those people in my life, it's inspiring, right, to know that there are people out there, they could have it all, they do have it all, maybe, and yet for them, Jesus is better. For them, they know faith even in abundance. [00:05:51] (40 seconds) #JesusOverEverything

Even in the midst of his abundance, even in the midst of the silver, the gold, the livestock, it doesn't keep him from seeking the Lord out in worship and calling on the name of the Lord. Though the crisis of famine and fearing for his life was over, Abram still sought the Lord in worship. It didn't deter him from seeking the Lord. [00:09:51] (31 seconds) #SeekTheLordAlways

A season of abundance is not the time to relax our worship and say, Ooh, man, I can take a break from church, man. I can take a break from reading the Bible and praying because life's good, but that's not how it works. I need to ask myself, how often is it that the Lord's goodness and the Lord's abundance motivates me for worship? [00:12:10] (26 seconds) #WorshipMotivatedByGoodness

What good thing in your life right now can drive your worship? I know we're experiencing difficult things. None of this is to make light of that. None of this is to say, well, let's just pretend that none of those things are happening. But it is to recognize that, in general, most of us, almost all of us, probably have some good thing in our life that we can say, Lord, thank you for that. Thank you for that bit of abundance in my life. [00:14:34] (31 seconds) #GratefulForAbundance

Maybe my health is good right now. Lord, thank you for that. Maybe my finances are in order and are okay right now. Lord, thank you for that. Maybe it's my spouse, my children, my grandchildren. Maybe it's just a sense that, hey, for this moment in my life, I don't have to live like everything's on fire. Maybe it's just a moment of peace that I can say, Lord, thank you for that bit of abundance. Let that drive your worship. [00:15:05] (31 seconds) #AbundanceDrivesWorship

Abram's abundance didn't have such a hold on him that it prevented him from extending this kindness to his nephew Lot. A good word for us, I think, is not to let our abundance outpace for character. That certainly wasn't the case for Abram. Even though he had all the wealth, even though he had all the right to what seemed on the surface to be the best, right? He still extended this kindness to Lot and let him choose. Let him have the first choice of the land. [00:18:21] (39 seconds) #HumilityInAbundance

We do well to keep the promises of the Lord in sight. To keep our focus on, to reaffirm for ourselves all that the Lord has promised us. Abundance can sometimes be a distraction. Not that it's a bad thing, but we ought to keep our focus on the Lord. [00:27:19] (19 seconds) #JesusAboveAll

There's nothing wrong with abundance. Abundance is not an evil. Jesus said he came to give life abundantly. But a season of abundance is also not a time to slack off on our relationship with the Lord. What kind of gospel would it be if Jesus could be overshadowed by what we could experience in life? He's better. That's what drives our faith during abundance. Jesus is better. No matter what the good thing is or what the good season is, Jesus is better. [00:29:21] (36 seconds) #JesusIsBetter

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