Generosity, Contentment, and the Call to Compassion

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Loving Money Over God

The love of money can easily entangle hearts, drawing people away from God’s purposes and leading to spiritual ruin. Money itself is not evil, but when it becomes the object of our affection and trust, it can blind us to the needs of others and to God’s call to generosity and compassion. True contentment and peace come not from accumulating wealth, but from trusting in God’s provision and using what we have to bless others. The temptation to serve money rather than God is subtle but powerful, and we are called to examine our priorities and pursue righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness instead. [47:47]

1 Timothy 6:6-16 (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. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself tempted to trust in money or possessions for security or self-worth, and how can you intentionally shift your trust to God today?

Day 2: The Call to Compassion and Generosity

God calls us to see and respond to the needs of those around us, not to turn away in comfort or indifference. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus warns against ignoring the suffering at our gates and challenges us to use our resources to serve others rather than to build barriers. True transformation comes when we allow God’s grace to move us from self-centeredness to caring and generous action, standing with those who are overlooked, neglected, or rejected. Our choices about money and compassion reveal the state of our hearts and our relationship with God. [53:09]

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 someone in your life or community whose needs you have overlooked or ignored, and what is one concrete way you can reach out to them this week?

Day 3: Choosing Contentment in a Culture of More

Contentment is a quiet, ongoing satisfaction that comes from gratitude for what we have, rather than a restless desire for more. Our culture constantly encourages us to want newer, better, and more, but true joy is found in recognizing our blessings and being satisfied with enough. When we choose contentment, we are freed from anxiety about what we lack and from the endless pursuit of possessions, allowing us to focus on loving God and others. Contentment is a choice that must be made daily, often in small, unnoticed moments, like a butterfly landing softly on your sleeve. [57:33]

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel discontent, and how can you practice gratitude and contentment in that area today?

Day 4: Gratefulness for God’s Grace

God’s grace is a gift that cannot be earned or repaid, given freely through Christ’s sacrifice for us. Remembering the cost of grace keeps life in perspective and helps us approach God with humility, gratitude, and a willingness to extend forgiveness and generosity to others. Each time we pray for forgiveness or blessing, we are reminded of the depth of God’s love and the call to serve Him rather than our own desires. Grace is free, but it is not cheap—it cost Jesus everything, and our response should be ongoing thankfulness and a life shaped by that gift. [55:21]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: How can you express your gratitude for God’s grace in a tangible way today, either through prayer, worship, or an act of kindness?

Day 5: Using What We Have to Bless Others

All that we have is a gift from God, entrusted to us not just for our own enjoyment, but to be used in ways that transform and enliven others. Generosity is a reflection of God’s own heart, and when we share our resources, time, and talents, we become God’s hands and heart in the world. Blessings are meant to flow outward, especially to those who need them most, and our faithful service is part of God’s plan to bring justice, healing, and peace. We are called to move out of idleness and into action, tending to God’s children until the world is as He meant it to be. [36:44]

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 is one specific gift, resource, or talent you have that you can use this week to bless someone in need?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the story of the rich man and Lazarus, and Paul’s exhortation to Timothy about godliness and contentment. The narrative begins with a reminder to be vigilant against deception and to care for one another in practical ways, not just spiritually. The prayers offered are for those in need—those who hunger, who are overlooked, who suffer, and those who serve. There is a call to be generous, to share what we have, and to see the beauty in our diversity and the strength in unity.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a stark warning against self-indulgence and spiritual blindness. The rich man, clothed in luxury, ignored Lazarus, who suffered at his gate. Even in the afterlife, the rich man’s heart remained unchanged—he still saw Lazarus as beneath him, failing to recognize his own neglect and the chasm his choices had created. This story is not about the evil of wealth itself, but about the danger of loving money more than God and neighbor. The fence that separated the rich man from Lazarus in life became a chasm in eternity, a powerful image of how our choices about generosity and compassion have lasting consequences.

Paul’s words to Timothy reinforce this message: true gain is found in godliness with contentment. We bring nothing into this world and take nothing out; if we have food and clothing, we should be content. The love of money, not money itself, is a root of all kinds of evil. When we pursue wealth for its own sake, we risk wandering from faith and piercing ourselves with many pains. Instead, we are called to pursue righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Contentment is described as a quiet, ongoing satisfaction—a butterfly that lands softly and can only be enjoyed if we choose to notice it. Our culture encourages constant dissatisfaction, but the way of Christ is gratitude, generosity, and trust in God’s provision. We are reminded to use things and love people, not the other way around. Our values and choices reveal where our hearts truly lie. In the end, we are invited to be grateful for our blessings, generous with our resources, and content in the riches of Christ, knowing that all we have is a gift from God.

Key Takeaways

1. Vigilance and Community Care In a world where deception and exploitation are real threats, it is vital to remain vigilant and to care for one another in practical, tangible ways. Generosity and discernment go hand in hand; we are called to protect each other from harm and to reach out when someone is in need, embodying Christ’s love in both word and deed. [03:14]
2. The Chasm of Indifference The parable of the rich man and Lazarus warns against the spiritual danger of indifference. The rich man’s failure was not his wealth, but his blindness to the suffering at his own gate and his refusal to be transformed by compassion. The fences we build in life—between ourselves and those in need—can become unbridgeable chasms if we do not allow God’s grace to move us toward generosity and empathy. [53:09]
3. Contentment as a Spiritual Discipline Contentment is not a passive state but an active choice, a discipline that requires gratitude and trust in God’s provision. It is easy to be swept up in the endless pursuit of more, but true satisfaction comes from recognizing and appreciating the blessings we already have. Contentment is a quiet joy that must be noticed and chosen, even in a culture that constantly urges us to want more. [57:33]
4. The True Use of Wealth Money is a tool, not an end in itself. Its value is revealed in how it is used—either to serve our own desires or to bless others. The love of money can lead us away from faith and into anxiety, but generosity and stewardship align us with God’s purposes, storing up treasures in heaven rather than hoarding them on earth. [58:49]
5. Transformation Through Grace and Generosity God’s grace is freely given, but it calls us to transformation. Repentance, humility, and self-awareness open us to the work of the Spirit, moving us from self-centeredness to a life marked by kindness, mercy, and generosity. Our response to grace is not repayment, but gratitude and a willingness to serve, love, and share as Christ has done for us.

** [54:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:14] - Protecting Against Scams and Community Announcements
[04:24] - Silent Prayer and Assurance of Forgiveness
[05:00] - Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
[20:32] - Gathering Prayer Requests
[33:11] - Prayers for Healing and Congregational Needs
[35:14] - Call to Faithful Service and The Lord’s Prayer
[36:44] - Offering Blessing and Doxology
[46:53] - Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-16
[49:14] - Parable of the Dishonest Manager and Rich Man
[50:09] - The Rich Man and Lazarus: Wealth and Responsibility
[53:09] - The Chasm of Indifference and Spiritual Blindness
[54:16] - Transformation by Grace and the Cost of Discipleship
[57:33] - Contentment and the Love of Money
[58:49] - Generosity, Stewardship, and True Riches
[61:08] - Choosing Values and Lasting Contentment
[61:58] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:6-16 (ESV) — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 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. 10 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.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) – The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus — (You may summarize or read the passage in your group.)

Observation Questions

According to 1 Timothy 6:6-8, what does Paul say is “great gain,” and what should be our attitude if we have food and clothing?
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, what details show the contrast between the two men’s lives and their situations after death? [51:25]
What does Paul identify as the root of all kinds of evil, and what are the dangers he warns about for those who desire to be rich? [57:33]
In the sermon, what practical examples were given about how we can be vigilant and care for one another in our community? [03:14]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to highlight the rich man’s indifference to Lazarus, rather than any specific act of cruelty? What does this say about the dangers of spiritual blindness? [53:09]
How does Paul’s teaching about contentment challenge the values promoted by our culture today? In what ways does the pursuit of wealth risk leading people away from faith? [59:48]
The sermon describes contentment as a “quiet, ongoing satisfaction—a butterfly that lands softly.” What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of contentment and how it is experienced? [57:33]
How does the story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrate the lasting consequences of our choices regarding generosity and compassion? [53:09]

Application Questions

The sermon warns about the “chasm of indifference” that can form when we ignore those in need. Is there someone in your life or community who you tend to overlook? What is one practical step you could take this week to reach out to them? [53:09]
Paul says, “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” What is one area of your life where you struggle with discontentment? How might practicing gratitude help you notice the “butterfly” of contentment? [57:33]
The sermon encourages us to “use things and love people, not the other way around.” Are there ways in which you find yourself loving things and using people, even unintentionally? What would it look like to reverse that in a specific relationship or situation? [59:48]
The love of money is described as a root of all kinds of evil. Are there ways that financial anxiety or the desire for more has affected your faith or relationships? What is one change you could make to trust God’s provision more deeply? [57:33]
The sermon calls us to be vigilant against deception and to care for one another in practical ways. Is there a need in your church or neighborhood that you feel prompted to respond to? What is stopping you, and how could you take a first step? [03:14]
The rich man’s heart remained unchanged even in the afterlife. What practices can help us stay open to God’s transforming grace, so we don’t become spiritually blind or hard-hearted? [54:16]
Generosity is described as a response to God’s grace, not a way to earn it. How can you cultivate a spirit of generosity in your daily life, even if you don’t feel like you have much to give? [58:49]

Sermon Clips

So last week we talked about the parable that Jesus gave just before this one in Luke. And he talked about a dishonest manager who gave discounts to his master's debtors in order to have some friends to lean on after he was going to be fired. The money-loving Pharisees made fun of Jesus for telling that parable. Then he told this one about using money to serve God by helping each other. He said, we cannot serve God and money. He did not say that money is bad in itself. He was more concerned with what we do with our money than how much of it we have. The love of money can keep us from using it for God's purposes. [00:49:14]

The Pharisees thought they were following God. Of course, they were focusing on Deuteronomy. Sorry, I just tripped on that. Deuteronomy 28, where it says, if you obey God, you'll be blessed in war, in the marketplace, in the field, and at home. The Pharisees took that to mean that money was simply a blessing to be enjoyed, not necessarily one to be shared. [00:50:09]

Lazarus, in another translation, it says he was laid at the rich man's gate, a statement which implies that he was brought there by his family or his friends and sat down in hopes that the rich man would help him in ways that they could not. It was also a form of protest, a way of speaking truth to power and calling for change. Sadly, Lazarus was ignored day after day. [00:51:34]

After they both died, Lazarus went to heaven while the rich man suffered in hell. We can tell that this rich man hadn't learned anything though because he commanded Abraham to send Lazarus to help him. He didn't ask nicely, he just said, do it! He wouldn't admit that he had mistreated Lazarus by neglect. He didn't repent. He didn't even lower himself to talk to Lazarus directly, although he did know his name and therefore all about the man that he had failed to help while they were both still alive. [00:52:06]

He had Moses and the prophets to teach him God's values, but he had no relationship with God, no respect for God, or love for God's children. He was blind to his own faults and failings, self-indulgent and foolish. He still saw Lazarus as part of the lower class of people who had served his powerful person. Even his torment didn't lead him to rethink his life. [00:52:56]

The rich man was trying to ease his pain, not find his way to the kingdom of God. He didn't really want to change. His choices about money created that chasm between himself and the transforming love of God, a division reminiscent of the fence around his estate that separated this rich man from Lazarus and his suffering. [00:53:30]

This parable is a warning to be concerned with more than our own comfort and enjoyment. We must allow God's grace and love to transform us from self-centered and broken to caring and generous. [00:53:58]

Jesus told this story to underline the point that we cannot serve both God and money. We need to love God so much that we want to work toward God's ideals and values of kindness, mercy, and self-control, being content with what we have and willing to share what we don't need. [00:54:16]

For us to be transformed by God's grace requires repentance, humility, and self-awareness on our part. God made it possible for us to enter into eternal life and have forgiveness for all our sins by sending Christ to die in our place. Grace is free, but not cheap. It cost Jesus' unimaginable pain and then his life. This is a debt we can never repay. And thank God we don't have to. [00:54:43]

We need to remember this and be grateful for grace, not just occasionally, but every time we go to God and pray and ask for forgiveness and blessings, it keeps life in perspective. It helps us remember to serve God and not money to choose contentment over greed. [00:55:25]

Now let's consider our excerpt from Paul's letter to Timothy. In it, Paul wrote about godliness combined with contentment. He pointed out that since we brought nothing into this world, we can take nothing out of it. So if we have food, clothing, and shelter, we should be content. We don't need to be rich in things, but we do need to remember and be thankful for the fact that we are rich in blessings and love from God. [00:56:39]

Contentment is a state of ongoing, quiet satisfaction and joy in life, and we have to choose it. It shows up kind of like a butterfly that lands so softly on your sleeve that you might not notice it. You can only enjoy it if you choose to look. [00:57:10]

Paul said that the love of money is a root. One root of all kinds of evil. Paul, like Jesus, understood that money in itself is not good or bad, but a tool of exchange that we can use for good or see as an idol. The power that money gives us can lull us into a false sense of security and competence, a state where we think we can control our lives and our destiny if we have enough, then we might think we are our own suppliers of good things. [00:57:40]

God wants us to be grateful for everything we have, not reliant on money for our self-worth. God loves us as precious children and wants us to trust in his provision to choose to be content. [00:58:18]

It's how we use money that reflects our values. We can hoard it to serve our own desires or we can use the excess to bless people who are struggling. [00:58:38]

Paul urges Timothy to avoid the love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, the values of the triune God. Since God richly provides for us, we should be generous in sharing our gifts, not hoarding them in the here and now, but storing up treasures in heaven. [00:58:49]

Choosing to trust God to provide what we need is the source of peace and true contentment. [00:59:17]

Our current culture has a difficult time with contentment. Advertising encourages us to want more and more and newer and better and cuter and faster and on and on and on. Advertisers earn big money by creating dissatisfaction with what we have and the desire for what they're selling us. [00:59:26]

None of the extra things we could buy matter to our survival, but they can seduce us into building our own wealth or even going into debt rather than choosing contentment and helping others to survive. [01:00:01]

Focusing on wealth can also make us anxious about losing it rather than thankful for having it. The more we have to lose, the more anxious we become, and the more time and effort we spend to protect it. [01:00:16]

We too often love things and use people when we should be using things and loving people. We are most content when we are grateful for what we own, satisfied with what we make, and generous to those in need. [01:00:48]

So it all comes down to values and choices. What do we value most in life? Our loving relationship with the God who gave his only son to save us from our sins and loves us unconditionally. Our good works on behalf of the kingdom, loving our neighbors as ourselves because God loved us first. [01:01:08]

We can choose to be grateful for our earthly goods and generous to those who have less than we do. We can choose to be content with our riches in Christ and our blessings, those things that came from God in the first place. Things as beautiful and fleeting as a butterfly landing on your sleeve. [01:01:33]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?