Making Room for One More: A Call to Generosity

Devotional

Day 1: There’s Always Room for One More

The heart of the church is to make space for every person, no matter their background, story, or struggle. This means not only welcoming people into our gatherings but also being willing to do whatever it takes to reach one more soul, one more family, one more person in need of hope. It’s about creating an environment where anyone can encounter the love of Jesus, whether through a seat set up by a volunteer, a meal provided for a hungry child, or a hand extended to someone in recovery. The mission is clear: until everyone is reached, we keep making room, keep saying yes, and keep investing in the lives of others. [40:25]

Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life or community that you could intentionally make room for this week—whether by inviting them, serving them, or simply showing them they belong?

Day 2: Money is Spiritual—It’s About the Heart

Money is never just about money; it reveals the true state of our hearts. Jesus spoke often about money because it can easily become a spiritual stronghold, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and decisions. The love of money—whether out of abundance or lack—can distract us from God’s calling and purpose, leading us to trust in wealth rather than in God’s promises. The challenge is to see money as a tool to be managed, not a god to be chased, and to allow God to shape our hearts toward generosity and trust. [45:30]

1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself thinking more about money than about what God is calling you to do, and how can you begin to shift your focus this week?

Day 3: Generosity is a Weapon in Spiritual Warfare

We are in a spiritual war, and one of the enemy’s most effective weapons is to keep us stuck in fear, comparison, or shame—often centered around money. But God gives us spiritual weapons that are not of this world, and generosity is one of the most powerful ways to fight back. When we give, especially when it’s inconvenient or doesn’t make sense, we break the stronghold of money and bring glory to God. Prayer and generosity together have divine power to demolish strongholds, both in our lives and in the church. [01:04:24]

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Reflection: What is one act of generosity you can do this week—no matter how small—that would be a step of faith in the midst of your own financial challenges?

Day 4: Trusting God with Your Finances

God promises to care for His children, providing for their needs and inviting them to trust Him completely—even in the area of finances. Trusting God means believing that He owns it all, that He is able to provide, and that He desires to bless us as we honor Him with our resources. This trust is not passive; it’s an active decision to listen for God’s voice, obey His promptings, and believe that He will take care of us, even when it seems foolish to the world. [01:07:38]

Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Reflection: What would it look like for you to trust God completely with your finances this week, and is there a specific area where you need to surrender control to Him?

Day 5: The Power of Testimony and Community

There is something powerful that happens when believers gather together, share their stories, and worship God in unity. The church is not just a place to receive but a community where we are revitalized, encouraged, and equipped to go back out and share the love and hope of Jesus with others. Our experiences—both the pain and the healing—become a ministry to those still struggling, and our testimonies remind us and others that by His stripes, we are healed. [55:31]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Reflection: Who could you encourage this week by sharing a part of your story or testimony, especially someone who may be walking through a struggle you’ve experienced?

Sermon Summary

At Gateway, there’s always room for one more—one more soul, one more story, one more miracle, one more family finding hope in Jesus. This conviction isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a core value that shapes how we serve, give, and reach out. Whether it’s making space for another person in a crowded room or stretching our resources to meet a need, the heart behind it is a willingness to say “yes” to God’s call, no matter the inconvenience or cost. Our mission is to invest in and invite people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and that investment is often costly, inconvenient, and deeply personal.

We are God’s plan for reaching the world, and that means every act of service—setting up chairs, volunteering with kids, giving financially—creates space for someone to encounter God’s love. The stories of lives changed, marriages restored, and addicts set free are not just statistics; they are the fruit of a community that refuses to say “no” when God calls us to act. This is why we give, why we serve, and why we keep making room for one more.

But there’s a battle raging, and it’s not just about logistics or resources—it’s spiritual. Money, in particular, is a battleground. Jesus talked about it more than almost any other topic because He knew how easily it can become a stronghold in our lives. The enemy uses money—through fear, comparison, and shame—to keep us stuck, distracted, and ineffective. Yet, generosity is a weapon in this war. When we give, especially when it’s inconvenient or doesn’t make sense, we declare our trust in God’s provision and break the grip of fear and scarcity.

This season, we’re being challenged to trust God with our finances—not because God or the church wants something from us, but because God wants something for us: freedom, clarity, and purpose. The invitation is to pray, “God, what do you want to show me?” and to commit to the journey of learning, growing, and fighting back against the spiritual stronghold of money. As we do, we’ll discover that God’s heart is for us, and that there is always more—more freedom, more purpose, more room for one more.

---

Key Takeaways

1. There’s Always Room for One More The call to make space—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—for one more person is not just about church growth, but about embodying the heart of Christ. Every act of hospitality, every extra chair, every invitation is a declaration that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. This posture keeps us outward-focused and ready to respond to the needs God brings our way. [13:30]
2. Serving and Giving Are Spiritual Acts, Not Just Tasks Setting up chairs or volunteering with kids isn’t just logistics; it’s creating sacred space for people to encounter God. When we see our service and generosity as ministry, we realize that even the smallest acts can have eternal impact. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into opportunities for God to move. [19:10]
3. Generosity Is a Weapon Against Spiritual Strongholds Money is never just about money—it’s a spiritual issue that can either trap us or set us free. The enemy uses financial fear, comparison, and shame to keep us stuck, but generosity breaks those chains. When we give, especially in seasons of attack or lack, we wage war with spiritual weapons and invite God’s provision and victory into our lives. [63:25]
4. Trusting God With Finances Is About Heart, Not Obligation God doesn’t want something from us; He wants something for us. The journey of giving isn’t about meeting a quota or appeasing God, but about learning to trust Him as our provider. When we surrender our finances, we open ourselves to freedom, clarity, and a deeper experience of God’s faithfulness. [47:51]
5. Spiritual Growth Requires Honest Engagement With Hard Topics Avoiding the subject of money leaves us unprepared for one of the most significant spiritual battles we face. By engaging honestly with what Scripture teaches about stewardship, generosity, and trust, we equip ourselves to live in freedom and purpose. The challenge is to pray, listen, and commit to the process, trusting that God will meet us and transform us along the way. [57:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements & Men’s Night
[03:45] - Series Introduction: “Room for One More”
[07:20] - The Mexico Bus Story: Making Room
[10:55] - Gateway’s Core Value: Always Room for One More
[13:30] - Serving as Ministry, Not Just Tasks
[19:10] - Volunteers and the Heart of Service
[23:40] - Saying Yes to Needs: Local Outreach
[28:15] - Investing in Others: The Cost and the Call
[40:25] - Stories of Freedom and Restoration
[44:18] - Why Talk About Money?
[46:36] - Created for Generosity
[54:50] - The Power of Community and Testimony
[56:22] - The Spiritual War Over Finances
[63:25] - Generosity as Spiritual Warfare
[67:38] - Trusting God’s Provision
[69:31] - Practical Help: Financial Seminar
[70:30] - The Invitation: Pray and Commit
[71:14] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. 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.”

2. 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV) — “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.”

3. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV) — “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

Observation Questions

According to John 10:10, what are the two contrasting purposes described for the thief and for Jesus?
In 1 Timothy 6:10, what does Paul say is the root of all kinds of evil, and what are the consequences he describes for those who crave it?
The sermon described “generosity as a weapon in this war.” What does 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 say about the kind of weapons we use in spiritual battles?
What are some specific ways the sermon described Gateway Church making “room for one more” in both practical and spiritual terms? [[13:30]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Money is never just about money—it’s a spiritual issue that can either trap us or set us free.” How does this idea connect with what Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:10? [[45:30]]
Jesus says He came to give us “life to the full” (John 10:10). According to the sermon, what are some things that keep us from experiencing this abundant life? [[56:22]]
The sermon talks about “generosity as a weapon” and spiritual warfare over finances. How might giving and serving actually help us fight spiritual battles in our lives? [[01:03:25]]
The pastor said, “God doesn’t want something from you; He wants something for you.” What does this mean in the context of trusting God with our finances? [[47:51]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to make space for “one more”—one more person, one more story, one more miracle. Is there a specific way you could make room for someone in your life this week, even if it’s inconvenient? What would that look like? [[13:30]]
Think about a time when you served or gave, even when it was inconvenient or costly. How did that experience impact you or someone else? Did it change your perspective on generosity? [[19:10]]
The pastor described money as a spiritual battleground, with fear, comparison, and shame as common struggles. Which of these do you most relate to, and how might generosity help you break free from it? [[57:29]]
The sermon encouraged us to pray, “God, what do you want to show me?” regarding our finances. Are you willing to pray this honestly? What do you hope God might reveal to you? [[01:10:30]]
The message said, “Serving and giving are spiritual acts, not just tasks.” How could you shift your mindset this week to see your acts of service or giving as ministry, not just chores? [[19:10]]
The pastor shared a story about giving a generous tip, even when it didn’t make sense financially. Is there a way you feel prompted to be generous this week, even if it feels risky or inconvenient? [[01:05:14]]
The sermon mentioned that spiritual growth requires honest engagement with hard topics like money. What is one practical step you can take this week to engage honestly with God about your finances or your attitude toward giving? [[57:29]]

Sermon Clips

If there's one more addict who needs freedom, we're saying yes. Gateway Church, because of generosity, we have funded rehab for people. We will walk alongside because here's what I know. There are people here who were addicts, who have found freedom in Christ, who are in recovery. And their ministry now is to now reach back and help somebody else get out of it. And we're gonna say yes. That's what we do here at Gateway. [00:40:20] (31 seconds) #FreedomThroughGenerosity

There are marriages that are barely hanging on. And it's the same story. We have people who are barely hanging on in their marriage. And they reach back, because now they're in a better place. They've been healed. They are fully functioning as much as we can. Because people are crazy. They're functioning. Stick to the script, man. Gonna get me in trouble. They reach back and they say yes, we will walk with you through this. I'll sit in the mud with you. Because I know what it feels like. [00:40:51] (32 seconds) #WalkingThroughMudTogether

We exist to invest in and invite people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Stephen just said it. But that invest in part, that's costly. It's difficult. It's inconvenient. But we have a group of people right here, sitting here online in both services, an army of people who have been through stuff. And now they see it in other people. I can see. I know what you're going through. [00:41:58] (26 seconds) #InvestingInGrowth

By his stripes, we are healed. That's what the scripture teaches us. And so this whole series is around trust. Do we trust that what the Bible says is true? Or not. But we can see it in people, and it doesn't have to be this way. We walk through pain and grief. We reach our hand down, and we pull people out. Here's what I know. We are in a spiritual war. It is clear that we are in a spiritual war. [00:55:45] (37 seconds) #HealedByHisStripes

Satan doesn't have to ruin your life to keep you down and miserable. He doesn't have to ruin your life to derail your purpose. He just needs to keep you stuck. And one of the most effective weapons that he has is money. We feel it. We know this is true. [00:57:01] (20 seconds) #MoneyCanTrap

If the enemy wants to attack our finances, I'm going to bring more glory to God by giving more money away. And that's counterintuitive. Yes, we just read in 2 Corinthians that we live in this world, but we don't fight with the weapons of this world. Yes, it's not going to make sense. It's weird. And it's inconvenient. And it hurts. [01:05:39] (23 seconds) #DifferentKingdomRules

When God says to do it, I do it. That's what I'm learning this year. I'm not perfect at it. I haven't done it correct every single time. But that is what Katie and I have decided. If he's going to attack our finances, guess what? Guess what? We're fighting back with our finances. [01:07:15] (16 seconds) #BattleForSouls

There's always room for one more and God wants more for you than he wants from you. We know this. We know the heart of God. And so let's see what he says about finances in our lives over the next three weeks. [01:13:26] (18 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does the Bible say about money and stewardship?

How can generosity be a weapon in spiritual warfare?

Why is trusting God with finances essential for believers?