Living Generously: Trusting God with Our Resources

The principle that there’s always room for one more has shaped not only my own life but the culture of our church. Whether it’s making space on a crowded bus in Mexico or finding ways to serve one more child through Backpack Buddies, this mindset reflects the heart of God—a heart that is always open, always generous, always seeking to bless and include. This week, we’ve been exploring what it means to live with open hands, especially when it comes to our finances. Money is a topic that’s often misunderstood and sometimes even resented in church, but it’s one of the most talked-about subjects in Scripture. God’s design for generosity isn’t about the church wanting your money; it’s about God wanting your heart.

We looked at the biblical foundation for tithing, tracing it back before the law to Abraham and Jacob, who gave a tenth not out of obligation but out of conviction and gratitude. The tithe—10%—isn’t just a random number; throughout Scripture, the number ten represents a test. The tithe is a test of our trust, our priorities, and our faith. It’s not about legalism or checking a box; it’s about whether we truly believe God is our provider and whether we’re willing to honor Him with the first and best of what He’s given us.

Jesus didn’t abolish the law; He fulfilled it and deepened its meaning. Under grace, the standard isn’t lowered—it’s raised. We’re not just called to give a percentage; we’re called to surrender everything. Grace doesn’t ask, “What’s the minimum I can do?” but “How can I honor God with all that I am?” We don’t give to earn God’s favor; we give because we already belong, because we’ve experienced His grace and want others to experience it too.

This is a season of challenge and opportunity. We’re inviting everyone to test God’s faithfulness by tithing for the next two months and to prepare for a special offering that will go entirely to feed hungry children in our community. This isn’t just about money—it’s about breaking strongholds of fear, scarcity, and control, and stepping into the freedom and joy that comes from radical generosity. God’s heart is for us to trust Him, to care for one another, and to be His hands and feet in the world. Let’s open our hands, open our hearts, and see what God will do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The tithe is not a legalistic obligation but a test of trust and a tangible act of worship. Throughout Scripture, the number ten signifies a test—whether it’s the Ten Commandments, the ten plagues, or the ten lepers. Giving the first 10% is a way to declare that God comes first in our lives, even when circumstances are uncertain or resources feel tight. [40:07]
• 2. Tithing predates the law and is rooted in the heart of God, not just in religious regulation. Abraham and Jacob gave a tenth out of gratitude and conviction, not compulsion. This reveals that generosity is woven into our spiritual DNA, and honoring God with our increase is a natural response to His blessing. [42:09]
• 3. Jesus fulfilled the law and deepened its meaning, calling us to a higher standard of grace. Grace doesn’t lower the bar; it transforms our motivation from duty to delight. We don’t give to earn salvation, but because we already belong to God, and our giving becomes a joyful response to His overwhelming grace. [47:41]
• 4. True generosity goes beyond the tithe and seeks to meet the needs around us. Jesus rebuked those who tithed meticulously but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The call is not just to give a percentage, but to live with open hands, ready to respond to the needs God places in our path, reflecting His sacrificial love. [44:57]
• 5. Radical generosity breaks spiritual strongholds and brings freedom. When we trust God with our resources, we are set free from fear, scarcity, and the illusion of control. Open hands not only allow us to give but also to receive the blessings God wants to pour out, both materially and spiritually, as we participate in His redemptive work. [57:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - The “One More” Principle: Room for Generosity
• [03:30] - Addressing Money and Church Stereotypes
• [06:10] - Old Testament Tithing: Beyond 10%
• [10:00] - Firstfruits and Trusting God
• [13:30] - Commitment Cards and the Tithe Challenge
• [16:00] - Why 10%? The Test of the Tithe
• [19:00] - Tithing Before the Law: Abraham and Jacob
• [22:00] - Jesus on Tithing: Heart Over Legalism
• [25:00] - Grace, Law, and the Fulfillment in Christ
• [29:00] - Living in Response to Grace
• [32:00] - Where Is My Trust? Faith and Finances
• [36:00] - Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness
• [39:00] - Next Week’s Challenge: Backpack Buddies Offering
• [42:00] - Radical Generosity and Spiritual Freedom
• [45:00] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Bible Reading

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) — > "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Genesis 14:18-20 (ESV) — > "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!' And Abram gave him a tenth of everything."

Matthew 23:23 (ESV) — > "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."

Observation Questions

1. In Malachi 3:10, what does God promise to do if His people bring the full tithe into the storehouse?
2. According to Genesis 14, what motivated Abraham to give a tenth to Melchizedek? Was it a command or something else? ([42:09])
3. In Matthew 23:23, what does Jesus say the Pharisees are missing, even though they are tithing carefully? ([44:57])
4. The sermon mentioned that the number ten in Scripture often represents a test. What are some examples given, and what is the test connected to tithing? ([40:07])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God invites His people to “test” Him in Malachi 3:10, when elsewhere in Scripture testing God is discouraged? What does this reveal about God’s heart for generosity? ([38:25])
2. The sermon says tithing predates the law and is rooted in gratitude and conviction, not just obligation. How does this shape our understanding of giving today? ([42:09])
3. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for tithing but neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. What does this teach us about the relationship between giving and living out God’s heart? ([44:57])
4. The sermon claims that under grace, the standard is not lowered but raised—“we’re called to surrender everything.” How does this challenge the way we think about what belongs to God and what belongs to us? ([45:58])

Application Questions

1. The “one more” principle is about always making room for others and being generous, even when it’s inconvenient. Can you think of a recent time when you had the opportunity to make room for “one more” in your life—whether with your time, resources, or attention? What did you do? ([31:21])
2. The sermon challenges us to tithe for two months and see what God does. What fears or hesitations do you have about tithing or giving generously? How might you bring those to God in prayer? ([38:25])
3. The tithe is described as a “test of trust.” Looking at your own finances, what does your giving say about where your trust is placed? Are there areas where you find it hard to trust God as your provider? ([54:28])
4. Jesus calls us not just to give a percentage, but to live with open hands and respond to needs around us. Is there a need in your community or church that you feel God might be prompting you to meet? What would it look like to take a step toward meeting that need? ([44:57])
5. The sermon talks about breaking strongholds of fear, scarcity, and control through radical generosity. Are there any “strongholds” in your life related to money or possessions that you sense God wants to address? What practical step could you take this week to open your hands a little wider? ([57:00])
6. The special offering for Backpack Buddies is an example of going beyond the tithe to care for the vulnerable. How do you decide when and how to give “above and beyond”? Is there a way you could involve your family or friends in this kind of generosity? ([01:09:42])
7. The sermon says, “We don’t give to earn God’s favor; we give because we already belong.” How does this truth change your motivation for giving? ([50:58])