Kingdom Giving: Trusting God with Open Hands

Devotional

Day 1: Generosity Begins with Kingdom Vision

True generosity starts not with what you give, but with how you see—when your eyes are set on eternal things rather than temporary treasures, your heart follows, and giving becomes an act of worship rather than a burden. Jesus teaches that storing up treasures in heaven, rather than clinging to earthly wealth, is the path to a full and light-filled life. A generous eye is an open-handed way of living, trusting God as your source rather than your safety net. When you see through the lens of the kingdom, fear and scarcity lose their grip, and you are free to give with joy and trust. [56:13]

Matthew 6:19-21, 22-23 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

Reflection: Where in your life are you clinging to something for security, and how might your perspective change if you saw it as God’s to use for His kingdom instead?

Day 2: We Give Because Our King Gave First

The foundation of Christian generosity is rooted in the very nature of God, who gave His only Son for us—love moved first, and so we are called to reflect that self-giving love in our own lives. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many, redefining greatness as servanthood and open-handedness. When we give, we are not following a church rule, but imitating the heart of our Father who held nothing back. Generosity is not about impressing God, but about being shaped into His likeness, living out the truth that we are blessed to be a blessing. [01:05:43]

John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally serve or give to someone this week, simply because God first gave to you?

Day 3: Generosity Is Trust in Action

Biblical generosity is ultimately about trust—every act of giving is a declaration that God, not money or possessions, is your provider and source of security. Jesus warns that you cannot serve both God and money, because money as a master promises a false security that always shifts and never satisfies. When you loosen your grip on uncertain resources and tighten your grip on a faithful God, you step into a life where giving is not loss, but freedom and provision. Each time you give, you are choosing who you trust, and God meets you in that place with His faithfulness. [01:15:14]

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: What is one area where you feel anxious about provision, and how can you take a step of trust by giving or serving in that area today?

Day 4: Generosity Unlocks God’s Provision

When you give out of trust, even from a place of scarcity, you position yourself to experience God’s miraculous provision—He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. Like the widow who gave her last meal to Elijah or Abraham who offered Isaac, true generosity is not about the amount, but about surrendering what you have to God and trusting Him with the outcome. God often meets us in unexpected ways when we open our hands, and those who live generously find that their needs are met and their hearts are full. [01:22:56]

1 Kings 17:13-16 (ESV)
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Reflection: Is there something small or seemingly insignificant you can offer to God or others today, trusting Him to multiply it?

Day 5: Generosity Is a Posture, Not a Performance

Generosity is not a one-time event or a box to check, but a posture of open-handed living that reflects the heart of God and becomes a witness to the world. When you live with open hands, you are free from the grip of fear, scarcity, and anxiety, and you become a channel of blessing to others. This kind of life is not about equal giving, but equal sacrifice, and it is marked by cheerful, willing participation rather than pressure or obligation. As you allow God to shape your vision and heart, generosity becomes a natural outflow of your identity as His child. [01:13:22]

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: How can you shift your mindset from giving out of obligation to giving as an act of worship and joyful participation in God’s work?

Sermon Summary

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and prepare our hearts for the holidays, it’s important to pause and realign ourselves with the way of Jesus, especially in a culture that constantly pushes us toward self-preservation, accumulation, and anxiety over “never having enough.” The world disciples us to believe that security comes from what we can hold onto, but Jesus invites us into a radically different kingdom—a kingdom where giving, not grabbing, is the path to true life. In this upside-down kingdom, generosity is not about pressure or obligation, but about freedom, worship, and trust.

We are reminded that generosity is not something that begins in the wallet, but in the way we see. Jesus doesn’t start the conversation about giving with rules or amounts, but with vision. He challenges us to set our eyes not on temporary treasures, but on eternal ones, knowing that where our treasure is, our heart will follow. The story of the widow’s mite and the little boy with his crumpled dollar bill show us that heaven measures generosity not by the size of the gift, but by the trust and love behind it. When we see through kingdom eyes, we are freed from the grip of scarcity and anxiety, and we begin to live open-handedly, trusting God as our source.

Generosity is also rooted in the very nature of God. We give because our King gave first. The heart of the gospel is that God so loved the world that He gave—He poured Himself out, holding nothing back. Jesus redefined greatness as servanthood and self-giving, and if we are being shaped into His image, generosity becomes a natural outflow of our lives. It’s not about impressing God or checking a religious box, but about being formed into people who reflect the Father’s heart.

Ultimately, generosity is trust in action. Money promises security, but only God can truly provide. Every act of giving is a declaration that our hope is not in uncertain riches, but in the God who richly supplies all we need. Whether we have much or little, God invites us to trust Him, to loosen our grip on what we cannot keep, and to experience the freedom and fullness that comes from living with open hands. As we move toward our Christmas gift offering and beyond, the real question is: What is God asking you to trust Him with this year? Let’s allow Him to reshape our vision, realign our hearts, and lead us into a life of generosity that reflects His love to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Generosity Begins with Kingdom Vision Generosity starts not with what we give, but with how we see. When our eyes are fixed on eternal things rather than temporary possessions, our hearts are freed from anxiety and scarcity. The world’s lens leads to fear and grasping, but kingdom vision opens us to trust and release, making generosity a natural response rather than a burden. [56:13]
2. We Give Because God Gave First Our acts of generosity are rooted in the very character of God, who gave Himself fully for us. True giving flows from a heart that has been shaped by the sacrificial love of Jesus. When we remember that our King held nothing back, we are inspired to live open-handedly, not out of obligation, but as a reflection of His nature in us. [65:43]
3. Generosity Is Trust in Action Every time we give, we are making a statement about where our trust lies. Money and possessions promise security, but they are uncertain and fleeting. Generosity is a practical way to declare that God—not wealth, not jobs, not circumstances—is our provider, and that we trust Him to meet our needs, even when it doesn’t make sense on paper. [76:29]
4. Generosity Is a Posture, Not an Event Living generously is not about occasional acts or meeting a quota; it’s a posture of the heart that reflects God’s ongoing faithfulness. Generous people are not drained, but continually filled, because they draw from the limitless supply of God. Their lives become a daily witness to the world, preaching the gospel without words. [72:15]
5. Freedom Comes from Open Hands The world teaches us to cling tightly, but the kingdom invites us to let go. True freedom is found not in self-sufficiency, but in trusting the One who never fails. When we release our grip on what we have, we make room for God’s provision and experience the joy and peace that come from living as a blessing to others. [89:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[49:20] - Why We Gather: Our Purpose
[52:10] - The World’s Discipleship vs. Jesus’ Way
[53:30] - Christmas Gift Offering: Heart and Vision
[56:13] - Generosity Begins with Vision
[57:51] - What Are You Clinging To?
[59:54] - The Widow’s Mite: Trust Over Totals
[61:47] - The Heart Behind the Gift
[63:24] - God as Source, Not Safety Net
[65:43] - We Give Because God Gave First
[69:26] - Abraham, Isaac, and Trust
[72:15] - Generosity as a Daily Posture
[76:29] - Generosity Is Trust in Action
[82:56] - God’s Provision in Scarcity
[84:45] - The Tithe Challenge and Testimony
[89:46] - Freedom Through Open Hands
[92:12] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[95:59] - Prayer for Kingdom Vision and Trust
[99:14] - Ministry and Worship Response

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Generously in the Way of Jesus**

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### Bible Reading

- **Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)**
> “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

- **Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)**
> And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

- **John 3:16 (ESV)**
> “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

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### Observation Questions

In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures, and why does he make this distinction?
According to the story of the widow’s mite in Mark 12:41-44, what made her gift stand out to Jesus compared to the gifts of the wealthy? [59:54]
The sermon mentions that generosity begins with vision, not with the wallet. What does it mean to have a “generous eye” according to Jesus? [57:51]
In John 3:16, what is the connection between love and giving?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus connects our treasure to our heart in Matthew 6:21? How does what we value shape our lives and decisions? [56:13]
The widow gave “all she had to live on.” What does this reveal about her trust in God, and how does this challenge our own approach to giving? [59:54]
The sermon says, “Generosity is not a church rule, it’s part of our God’s nature.” How does understanding God as the first giver change the way we think about generosity? [01:05:43]
The pastor described generosity as “trust in action.” In what ways does giving reveal where our trust really lies? [01:16:29]

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### Application Questions

The world often tells us to hold on tightly to what we have for security. Is there something in your life right now that you are clinging to for security? What would it look like to loosen your grip and trust God with it? [57:51]
The sermon shared the story of the little boy with the crumpled dollar bill and the widow’s mite. Have you ever felt like what you have to give is “too small” to matter? How might God see your gift differently than you do? [01:01:47]
The pastor said, “Generosity becomes natural when God becomes our source rather than our safety net.” In what areas of your life do you treat God more like a backup plan than your main provider? How could you shift your mindset this week? [01:03:24]
Think about a time when you gave sacrificially—whether time, money, or encouragement. How did that experience affect your faith and your sense of freedom? [01:22:56]
The sermon challenged us to see generosity as a posture, not just an event. What is one practical way you can make generosity a regular part of your daily life, not just something you do occasionally? [01:12:15]
The pastor asked, “What is God asking you to trust Him with this year?” Take a moment to reflect: Is there a specific area or resource God is inviting you to surrender or share? What step could you take this week to respond? [01:28:11]
The message said, “Freedom comes from open hands.” Is there a fear or anxiety that keeps you from living open-handedly? What would it look like to invite God into that fear and take a step toward freedom? [01:29:46]

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Sermon Clips

Where the world says grab Jesus says give when the world says protect Jesus says trust when the world says build your kingdom Jesus says seek first my kingdom and when the world says saving leads to security Jesus says surrender leads to life and we've got to understand that Jesus doesn't say these things to guilt us or to shame us into something he says it to set us free because the way of Jesus isn't just morally better it's spiritually healthier it's emotionally lighter it's eternally wiser. [00:52:39] (45 seconds) #JesusWayFreedom

It's a worship it's not about fundraising it's about kingdom formation and to step into this kind of generosity we have got to begin to see things differently now guys here's the deal Jesus didn't begin his teaching on giving by giving a list of instructions and commands he started off by reshaping vision because generosity it doesn't begin in your wallet it begins in the way you see things. [00:55:52] (28 seconds) #KingdomGenerosity

He's not speaking against money he's not speaking against saving he's not speaking against planning what he's warning against is anchoring your life to the temporary things in life the word he uses for store up when he says store up for yourself it's this Greek word thesaizo and it means to stockpile to guard or to cling to he's asking what are you clinging to for security because whatever you cling to is what your heart will follow after. [00:58:13] (31 seconds) #HeartFollowsVision

She didn't give because she had a lot she gave because she trusted God with the little bit that she had and that's kingdom vision that's what generosity looks like before the world comes in and complicates the whole thing that's how God sees generosity it's not by how much it's how much truth is attached to it how much heart and how much love is behind that. [01:02:44] (25 seconds) #TrustOverAbundance

If generosity starts with how we see then it makes sense that it will continue with who we look at and what we're looking at and the scripture always points us to the character of God himself and so with that John 3 16 should never get old because it starts with for God so loved the world that he what that he gave guys love moved first love doesn't hoard love pours itself out. [01:04:27] (30 seconds) #LovePoursOut

This was unheard of in the ancient world humanity had never experienced a king coming and saying I didn't come to be served I came to serve it was mind blowing talk about an upside down kingdom this made no sense the kingdom of God greatness isn't measured by what you keep it's revealed by what you give it's revealed by how open your hands are. [01:05:19] (28 seconds) #UpsideDownKingdom

Generosity isn't a requirement it's a result it's a result of belonging to God and becoming more like Jesus day by day Jesus said you will know them by their fruit followers of Jesus followers of Jesus are generous they don't hold on to anything too tightly they live life open handed and they give they recognize everything I have came from him he's the one that takes care of me he's my source he blessed me so I'm going to be a blessing to others. [01:13:41] (34 seconds) #ResultOfBelonging

Mammon is more than money mammon is money as the master it's a false savior it represents a false security that wealth promises if I have enough I'll be okay what is enough that line kind of shifts through life doesn't it generosity pushes back against the lie reminding us that God not money is our provider God not your employer is your provider God not your parents is your provider God not your stock investments is your provider. [01:15:52] (40 seconds) #MammonVsGod

Where is your trust money is uncertain don't watch your stock portfolio that thing's going to go up and down right don't watch it money's uncertain but our hope hope lies in the God who richly supplies everything that we need generosity becomes practical when we loosen our grip on uncertain resources and we tighten our grip on a faithful God it resets where our hope actually lives and dwells. [01:20:36] (40 seconds) #HopeInGod

It's not about amounts it's about vision it's about trust and it's about identity when we see through kingdom eyes we stop clinging on so tightly to what we have and we start recognizing that God is the one who provides and we remember who our father is that he's the God who gives first who gives freely who gives faithfully then giving becomes an act of heart alignment and worship not an act of pressure not something that we check off of our list. [01:27:22] (36 seconds) #VisionTrustIdentity

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