Living a Sold-Out Life: Lessons from Rebekah’s Story

Devotional

Day 1: Living a Sold-Out Life—Going Above and Beyond

A sold-out life is marked by a willingness to go beyond what is merely required, embracing opportunities to serve others with wholehearted generosity and excellence. Rebekah’s response to Abraham’s servant was not just to give a drink of water, but to offer to water all his camels—a task that required hours of strenuous effort. This radical, second-mile attitude set her apart in a world full of half-hearted minimizers and opened the door to God’s extraordinary favor. When we choose to live big, give big, and go big, we reflect the heart of Christ and stand out as lights in a world that often settles for the minimum. [31:59]

Genesis 24:12-20 (ESV)
And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” She said, “Drink, my lord,” and she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to do just the minimum, and what is one specific way you can go above and beyond for someone today, even if it’s inconvenient or unnoticed?

Day 2: Excellence in All Things—Serving as Unto the Lord

God calls His people to a standard of excellence, urging us not to settle for the minimum but to do our very best in every detail of our lives as an act of worship. Our work, our words, and our service are to be done wholeheartedly, not just for human approval but as service to Christ Himself. This attitude transforms even the most mundane tasks into opportunities to honor God, and it is the mark of those who are truly sold-out for Him. Being a follower of Jesus means that our conduct, effort, and integrity should reflect the One we serve, bringing glory to God in all things. [33:16]

Colossians 3:17, 22-24 (The Message)
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.

Reflection: What is one area of your daily routine or work where you’ve been giving less than your best, and how can you intentionally shift your mindset to serve as if you’re serving Christ Himself?

Day 3: Faithfulness in the Small Things

God’s favor and greater opportunities are often unlocked by our faithfulness in the small, seemingly insignificant tasks. Rebekah’s willingness to do something as simple as offering a drink of water led to a life-changing encounter and blessing. Jesus teaches that how we handle the little things reveals our character and determines whether we can be trusted with more. If we desire God’s blessing and promotion, we must demonstrate integrity, diligence, and excellence right where we are, treating every responsibility—no matter how small—as significant in God’s eyes. [41:15]

Luke 16:10-12 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”

Reflection: What “small” responsibility or opportunity have you been overlooking or treating lightly, and how can you honor God by giving it your full attention and effort today?

Day 4: Generosity Without Keeping Score

True generosity is not motivated by the expectation of reciprocity or recognition, but flows from a heart of gratitude for God’s generosity toward us. The Bible teaches that real love does not keep score, and God delights in those who give with joy, not reluctance or obligation. When we serve or give, not for what we might get in return but simply out of love and thankfulness, we reflect the heart of Christ and experience the joy that comes from living open-handedly. This kind of giving changes us and brings delight to God, who gave us His very best in Jesus. [38:03]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (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.

Reflection: Think of a recent opportunity to give or serve—did you do it joyfully or reluctantly? How can you cultivate a heart that gives freely, without keeping score or expecting anything in return?

Day 5: A Sold-Out Life Leaves a Lasting Legacy

Living a sold-out life not only brings God’s favor to us, but also blesses our families and future generations, creating a legacy that outlives us. Rebekah’s extraordinary act of generosity didn’t just change her own life; it spilled over to her family and became a story retold for generations, even placing her in the lineage of Jesus. Our children and those around us are watching how we live, and our example of wholehearted devotion and generosity can inspire them to do the same. The greatest evidence of our faith is not just what we say, but how we live every day, leaving a legacy worth remembering. [50:59]

Proverbs 13:22 (ESV)
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Reflection: What kind of legacy are you building through your daily choices and attitudes, and what is one intentional step you can take today to model a sold-out, generous life for those who are watching you?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to honor those who have sacrificed for our freedom, recognizing the privilege we have to worship and proclaim Christ openly. This freedom is not universal, and it is a gift we must never take for granted. As we continue our “Old School” series, we turned to the story of Rebekah in Genesis 24—a woman whose life offers profound lessons on what it means to live with excellence, generosity, and wholehearted devotion.

Rebekah’s story begins not with her, but with Abraham’s faith and obedience. Abraham, blessed by God, sends his servant on a daunting mission: to find a wife for his son Isaac from his homeland. The servant, overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, prays for God’s guidance. The sign he asks for is simple yet telling: the right woman will not only offer him water but will also volunteer to water his camels. Rebekah appears, and without hesitation, she fulfills both requests, not knowing the significance of her actions.

What stands out in Rebekah’s response is her willingness to go above and beyond. Watering ten camels was no small feat—it required hours of strenuous labor. Yet, she did not hesitate, nor did she ask, “What’s in it for me?” Her heart was pre-programmed for generosity and service. This act set her apart, opening doors of blessing and legacy that would ripple through generations.

There are four types of people: dropouts, cop-outs, hold-outs, and sold-outs. Rebekah was a sold-out—someone who brings their best to every task, who lives with grit, generosity, and wholeheartedness. God calls us to be sold-out people, to do everything as unto the Lord, not settling for the minimum but striving for excellence in all things. This is not about earning God’s favor, but about responding to His generosity with gratitude and open-handedness.

Living sold-out means never keeping score, treating small things as big things, and seizing ordinary moments to demonstrate extraordinary generosity. When we live this way, God sees, and He entrusts us with more. Our example spills over into our families and future generations, creating a legacy worth remembering. The world is not inspired by stories of accumulation, but by lives marked by sacrifice and generosity. The greatest evidence of our faith is not what we claim on Sunday, but how we live on Monday and beyond.

Key Takeaways

1. Never Keep Score in Generosity True generosity is not motivated by reciprocity or the expectation of return. When we serve or give, it should flow from a heart of gratitude, not from a ledger of favors owed. Measuring others with yardsticks of what they owe us only leads to disappointment and bitterness. Instead, let our giving reflect the selfless love God has shown us, remembering that real love “keeps no record of wrongs.” [35:14]
2. Treat Little Things Like Big Things Faithfulness in small tasks is the foundation for greater responsibility and blessing. God watches how we handle the seemingly insignificant moments—our diligence, our attitude, our integrity. If we are not trustworthy with little, we cannot expect to be entrusted with much. Excellence in the mundane is a mark of a sold-out life, and it is often in these moments that God prepares us for greater things. [40:18]
3. Seize Ordinary Moments for Extraordinary Generosity Rebekah’s willingness to serve in an ordinary moment led to an extraordinary outcome. She did not wait for a grand opportunity to make a difference; she simply responded wholeheartedly to the need in front of her. Our legacy is shaped not by rare heroic acts, but by consistent, sacrificial generosity in the everyday. God uses these moments to open doors and change destinies. [43:46]
4. Your Sold-Out Life Impacts Generations The way we live—our commitment, our generosity, our excellence—spills over into our families and those who come after us. Children and grandchildren are watching, learning not just from our words but from our actions. If we want to raise sold-outs, we must model it ourselves. Our legacy is not built in a day, but in the daily choices to live all-in for God and others. [50:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:06] - Honoring Veterans and Freedom
[22:46] - The Privilege of Preaching Freely
[23:23] - Introduction to the “Old School” Series
[23:52] - Setting the Stage: Abraham’s Story
[24:23] - The Promise and Isaac’s Birth
[24:49] - Abraham’s Search for Isaac’s Wife
[25:27] - The Servant’s Daunting Task
[26:27] - Genesis 24: Rebekah at the Well
[28:46] - Rebekah’s Radical Response
[30:01] - Four Types of People
[31:38] - Rebekah’s Sold-Out Mindset
[33:16] - Colossians 3: Excellence in All Things
[35:05] - Three Lessons from Rebekah’s Life
[35:14] - Never Keep Score
[40:18] - Treat Little Things Like Big Things
[43:46] - Seize Ordinary Moments
[47:05] - Rebekah’s Legacy and Blessing
[50:14] - Generational Impact of a Sold-Out Life
[51:37] - Creating a Lasting Legacy
[54:23] - The World’s Way vs. Christ’s Way
[55:17] - Monday Conduct: Living Out Our Faith
[56:27] - The Call to Go All-In with Jesus
[57:24] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond
[59:52] - Celebration and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 24:12-27 (ESV) — > And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”
>
> Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” She said, “Drink, my lord,” and she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the LORD had prospered his journey or not.
>
> When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) — > Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Observation Questions

What specific actions did Rebekah take when Abraham’s servant asked her for water? What stands out about her response? ([28:15])
According to Colossians 3:23-24, what is the attitude we are supposed to have in our work and service?
In the sermon, the pastor described four types of people: dropouts, cop-outs, hold-outs, and sold-outs. What are the differences between these types? ([30:01])
How did Rebekah’s actions at the well impact not just her, but her family as well? ([49:14])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Rebekah was willing to go above and beyond what was asked of her, even though it was hard work and she didn’t know the servant’s true purpose? ([31:59])
The sermon says that “sold-outs” are people who bring their best to every task. What does it look like to be “sold-out” in everyday life, not just in big moments? ([33:16])
The pastor mentioned that “the greatest evidence of our Sunday claims is our Monday conduct.” What does this mean for how we live out our faith during the week? ([55:17])
How does the way we handle small, everyday tasks reflect our readiness for greater responsibility or blessing from God? ([41:15])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “never keep score” in our generosity. Can you think of a time when you gave or served but expected something in return? How did that affect your attitude or relationship? What would it look like to give with no strings attached? ([35:14])
Rebekah treated a small request (a drink of water) as a big opportunity. What are some “small” things in your daily life that you tend to overlook or do half-heartedly? How could you approach them differently this week? ([40:18])
The pastor calculated that watering ten camels could have taken Rebekah two to three hours of hard work. What is one area in your life where you could go the “second mile” for someone, even if it’s inconvenient or unnoticed? ([45:41])
The sermon says our example spills over into our families and future generations. What kind of legacy are you building through your daily choices? Is there a specific habit or attitude you want to model for those around you? ([50:14])
The world often values accumulation and self-interest, but the sermon says the most inspiring stories are about sacrifice and generosity. Is there something you are holding onto tightly (time, money, resources) that God might be asking you to release for the sake of others? ([54:23])
The pastor said, “If you want God to be sold-out with you, you have to be sold-out with God.” Are there areas in your relationship with God where you are holding back? What would it look like to go “all in” with Jesus this week? ([43:21])
Think about your Monday through Saturday life. What is one practical way you can demonstrate a “sold-out” attitude at work, at home, or in your community this week? ([55:17])

Sermon Clips

He said you can't just name the name of Jesus and then give half-hearted effort and think you're bringing glory and honor to God. He calls us to a sold-out lifestyle. Rebekah didn't have a minimum effort for maximum payment mentality. She thought and lived differently. And because of it, it was about to change her future and her family dramatically forever. [00:34:05] (22 seconds) #GiveWithoutExpecting

Living a sold-out life. First. Means never keeping score. Here's what I mean by that. It means that when we give or when we serve or when we go all out for others that it is not motivated by reciprocity or the expectation that first I did it for you and because I did it for you, now you owe me. That's not what a sold-out lifestyle is. [00:35:10] (24 seconds) #ServeWithGenerosity

While we all pray for greater levels of favor in our lives, God cannot trust us with greater things, if we have not demonstrated faithfulness with what we currently have now. Don't ask God for 2,000 if you ain't faithful with 20. He ain't gonna do that. [00:41:03] (16 seconds) #BlessingsMultiply

Your children are watching you. Your grandchildren are watching you. Don't ever expect to raise sold-outs if you live as a holdout. Don't ever expect to raise sold-outs if you live your life as a cop-out. Don't ever expect to raise sold-outs if you live your life as a drop-out. Drop-outs don't produce sold-outs. Holdouts don't produce sold-outs. If you give minimum, they're going to give minimum. If you give half-heart, they're going to give half-heart. But when they see you, because of your love for Christ and your willingness to go all in for the glory of God, give your best every day at every task, they will emulate you when they get older, and they'll become a sold-out too. It matters. It matters. If you don't do it for anybody else, do it for your children. Do it for the Lord. [00:50:19] (48 seconds)

There are no inspiring stories of great greed or accumulation. They don't inspire us. We don't get inspired by people who take it and make it and keep it. We're inspired by people who actually begin to understand that at some level of success, maybe this wasn't all about me. [00:52:41] (25 seconds)

The kind of stories that move us, that inspire us to be better followers of Christ and servants to others, are the ones that are rooted in sacrifice and generosity. What a stark contrast this kind of thinking and living is to the world we live in. Because we live in a world, man, you know it's true. The world's mantra is, get all you can, can't all you get, sit on the can. Get all you can, can't all you get, sit on the can, baby. You earned it. Nobody else has a right to it but you. And that is not the way of Christ. That is not the heart of Christ. This is not the spirit of God. The spirit of God leads his children to live in ways that reflect the heart and the character of Christ. And who was he? The most generous and lavish gifter that the world has ever known. [00:54:18] (51 seconds)

``Let me say it to you this way. The greatest evidence of our Sunday claims is our Monday conduct. The greatest evidence of what we preach on Sunday, that it's true, is not if we amen the sermon. It's not if we just come and we show up, and we shout, and we clap, and we sing the songs, and we're in attendance. The greatest evidence that what we preach is true, that what we believe is real, is the way that we live our lives on Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday. It's not enough to live it in this house. We've got to live it and demonstrate it out there. Whatsoever our hands find to do, may we be sold out, and do it big as unto the Lord. This is the greatest evidence. This will of God for His people. [00:55:22] (55 seconds)

If you're here, and you have not sold out everything to Jesus, this is your first step. Before you even talk about living a sold out life, and living out for God every day, the first step for you, if you've not given all of your life to Jesus, if you've just been around the church, or you've been around the gospel, and you kind of have this cavalier, hold out, half-hearted relationship with God, but you know, be on the shadow of a doubt that you have never looked at what He did on the cross that accounted for you, laid your sin at His feet, and received the full forgiveness, and said, that's it. I'm not going to live half-hearted with God. I'm all in, all the way. All of me is for all of you. If you haven't done that, today is your day. God brought you here on purpose, with a purpose, for a purpose. [00:56:21] (42 seconds)

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