Miraculous Trust: Living a Radically Generous Life

Devotional

Day 1: Generosity Starts with God

God is the original generous host, giving freely and abundantly to humanity from the very beginning. Everything we have—our resources, opportunities, and even the breath in our lungs—originates from His hand. When we recognize that all we possess is a gift from God, it shifts our mindset from ownership to stewardship, stirring up a desire to reflect His generosity in our own lives. Take a moment today to pause and thank God for specific blessings He has already given you, no matter how small they may seem. Gratitude is the soil where generosity grows. [44:01]

Genesis 1:29 (ESV)
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”

Reflection: What is one specific thing God has already given you that you often overlook? How can you express gratitude for it today in a tangible way?

Day 2: Overcoming the Roadblocks to Generosity

Desiring to be generous is not enough; we must also confront the internal barriers that keep us from living generously. Two of the most common roadblocks are the mindset of “I still don’t have what I want” and the fear that we might run out if we give. The world constantly tells us we need more to be happy, but God invites us to contentment and trust. True generosity flows not from abundance, but from a heart that believes God will provide. When we practice generosity, even in small ways, we break the power of scarcity and anxiety over our lives. [53:25]

Proverbs 27:20 (ESV)
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.

Reflection: Where do you notice a “not enough” or scarcity mindset in your life? What is one step you can take today to practice contentment and trust God with what you have?

Day 3: Generosity Builds a Strong Foundation

Living a generous life is not just about meeting needs; it’s about building a foundation that can withstand life’s storms. Scripture teaches that extravagant generosity is a spiritual investment, laying a foundation for true life and a secure future. When we give, we are not just blessing others—we are anchoring our own lives in God’s faithfulness. No matter your stage of life or resources, you can begin building this foundation today by sowing generously and trusting God to be your security. [59:53]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Reflection: What is one way you can invest in someone else’s life this week—through your time, resources, or encouragement—to help build a foundation of generosity?

Day 4: Trusting God Breaks the Power of Fear

Fear often keeps us from living generously, convincing us that we must hold tightly to what we have for security. Jesus directly addresses this in the Sermon on the Mount, reminding us that our Heavenly Father knows our needs and cares for us even more than the birds of the air. When we choose to trust God and step out in faith, we discover that He is faithful to provide. Practicing generosity is a practical way to declare that our trust is in God, not in our own ability to provide. [56:49]

Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 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 is one area where fear is holding you back from being generous? How can you take a step of faith today to trust God with that area?

Day 5: Surrendering Your Life to God’s Generosity

Before we can truly live generously with our resources, we must first surrender our lives to God’s ultimate generosity—His gift of Jesus. God’s love is so great that He gave His Son so we could be set free from our past and experience real relationship with Him. Surrender is about taking yourself out of the driver’s seat and letting God lead. When you receive His forgiveness and grace, you are empowered to live with open hands and an open heart, ready to bless others as you have been blessed. [01:02:55]

Romans 8:32 (ESV)
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Reflection: Is there an area of your life you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today and trust in His generous love?

Sermon Summary

Today is an invitation to open our hearts to God in a fresh way, whether faith is new or familiar. As we gather, we remember the cross of Jesus through communion—not as a mere tradition, but as a living reminder that God’s victory brings freedom from our past and hope for our future. This is a spiritual moment, not just a ritual, where God desires to meet us, speak to us, and even change us. Honesty before God is welcomed; even skepticism is a place where God can meet us if we simply open our hearts.

We are called not only to receive from God but to participate in His mission. Our annual “Heart for the House” season is a time to shift from being consumers of church to being contributors—people who ask not just what God wants to do in us, but what He wants to do through us. The impact of our generosity is seen in local partnerships, like supporting seniors and families in need, and global initiatives, such as building schools in Nepal and supporting missionaries in Mozambique. These are tangible expressions of God’s love flowing through us.

Generosity, however, is not just about giving money or resources. It is rooted in the very character of God, who is the ultimate generous host. From the beginning, God’s first words to humanity were about what He had given. Everything we have starts with Him. Yet, there are roadblocks to living generously: the mindset that we never have enough, and the fear that we might run out. True contentment is not found in accumulating more, but in trusting God as our provider and security.

Practicing generosity is an act of faith that builds a foundation for our lives. Scripture teaches that extravagant generosity is what secures a future and lays hold of true life. This is not about equal giving, but equal participation—each of us responding to God’s prompting, whether we have much or little. Ultimately, the call is to surrender not just our resources, but our very lives to God, trusting Him to be our foundation and our hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Generosity Begins with God’s Character God’s first act toward humanity was to give, revealing Himself as a generous host. Recognizing that everything we have originates from Him shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship. When we start with gratitude for what God has already given, it stirs a desire within us to reflect His generosity to others. [44:01]
2. Contentment Overcomes the “Never Enough” Mindset The constant pursuit of more is a roadblock to generosity. True contentment is learned, not automatic, and it comes from realizing that happiness is not tied to possessions. God is not against us having things, but He warns us not to let things have us. Practicing gratitude and contentment frees us to give generously, regardless of our circumstances. [50:00]
3. Faith Breaks the Power of Scarcity and Fear Fear of not having enough can keep us from living generously. Jesus teaches us to trust God as our provider, not to be anxious or to hoard. Generosity is an act of faith that invites God’s provision and demonstrates our trust in Him. As we practice giving, we experience God’s faithfulness and our fear begins to lose its grip. [56:49]
4. Generosity Builds an Unshakeable Foundation Scripture promises that spiritual investments in generosity create a foundation that cannot be shaken by the uncertainties of life. This foundation is not built by wealth itself, but by the willingness to share and invest in others. Whether we have much or little, starting to give now—rather than waiting for “someday”—is how we build a life of security and purpose in God. [59:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Our Hearts to God
[03:45] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[08:30] - The Power of Spiritual Moments
[13:00] - Embracing Honesty and Openness
[15:45] - Heart for the House: Mission and Vision
[20:32] - Local and Global Impact Stories
[31:28] - Christmas Wish List and Community Outreach
[34:43] - Celebrating Generosity in Action
[37:57] - Preparing for the Miracle Offering
[40:58] - Miraculous Trust: The Call to Generosity
[44:01] - God as the Generous Host
[47:06] - Gratitude: The Starting Point of Generosity
[50:00] - Overcoming the “Never Enough” Mindset
[53:25] - Scarcity, Fear, and Trusting God
[56:49] - Practicing Generosity and Faith
[59:53] - Generosity as a Firm Foundation
[62:55] - Surrendering Our Lives to God
[65:30] - Responding in Faith and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Generosity as a Foundation for Life

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### Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
> As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Genesis 1:29 (ESV)
> And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”

Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV)
> “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 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?”

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### Observation Questions

According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what does Paul say is the true foundation for life, and how does he instruct the wealthy to live?
In Genesis 1:29, what is the very first thing God communicates to humanity, and what does this reveal about His character? [44:01]
In Matthew 6:25-26, what does Jesus say about anxiety and God’s provision? How does He use the example of birds to make His point? [53:25]
The sermon described generosity as more than just giving money. What are some practical examples given of generosity in action, both locally and globally? [31:28]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul connects generosity with “laying hold of true life” in 1 Timothy 6? What does this suggest about the purpose of wealth and resources? [40:58]
The sermon says that generosity starts with God’s character, not ours. How might this change the way someone views their own resources and giving? [44:01]
The “never enough” mindset and fear of running out are described as roadblocks to generosity. Why do you think these attitudes are so common, and how do they affect our willingness to give? [50:00]
Jesus teaches not to be anxious about our needs but to trust God as our provider. How does practicing generosity help break the power of fear and scarcity in our lives? [56:49]

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to move from being consumers of church to contributors. In what ways have you approached church as a consumer, and what is one step you could take to become more of a contributor to God’s mission? [31:28]
Think about a time when you felt you didn’t have “enough” to be generous. What was holding you back? How could practicing gratitude help shift your mindset in those moments? [50:00]
The message highlighted that generosity is not about equal giving, but equal participation. What does “equal participation” look like for you in this season of life? [37:57]
The fear of running out can keep us from giving. Is there an area of your life where you are holding back out of fear? What would it look like to trust God with that area this week? [56:49]
The sermon gave examples of generosity impacting both local families and global missions. Is there a specific cause or need that stirs your heart? How might you respond to that prompting in a practical way? [34:43]
The pastor shared a story about learning contentment and saying, “I have everything I need right now.” What is one area where you struggle with contentment, and how could you practice this mindset in the coming week? [50:00]
The call was to surrender not just resources, but our very lives to God. What is one area of your life you sense God asking you to surrender or trust Him with more fully? [01:02:55]

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Sermon Clips

You can be wealthy but not living rich if you're not giving extravagantly generous, if you're not willing to share with others. He goes on and says these spiritual investments will provide a beautiful foundation for their lives. Isn't that fascinating that you can be wealthy and have no foundation in your life but you build not through your wealth, he's saying you can't build your foundation with your wealth, you build your foundation through extravagant generosity. [00:42:10] (28 seconds) #WealthBuiltOnGenerosity

The first mention of generosity in the Bible is not God asking you to be generous, it's God describing himself as generous. You see, oftentimes we can think that generosity starts with me, that I have something and I make a decision what to do with my something, therefore I am the one that is or isn't generous. But we actually need to rewind a little bit further and realize everything that is in my hands didn't start with me, it actually began with God. [00:46:50] (31 seconds) #GenerosityStartsWithGod

The number one roadblock to generosity is this: it's the mindset that says I still don't have what I want. Well, how many know that mindset lives in each one of us? I still don't have what I want. Proverbs 27:20 says it this way, the eyes of a man or a woman, they're never satisfied. I know this full well. I was writing this message in my office this week, writing a message on generosity and suddenly into my email inbox starts coming Black Friday deals. [00:49:19] (43 seconds) #ContentmentIsLearned

I said this phrase that has helped me so much and I think you should take this phrase, tuck it in your back pocket because it will actually be really good for you and nobody is telling you this on your Instagram or your YouTube. This is a phrase that I believe will help you. I said this out loud, I said I have everything I need right now. Oh yeah, actually I do. Now I might not have everything I want right now but in just in this moment that I'm living in right now... I have everything I need right now. [00:51:01] (33 seconds) #GodIsNotAgainstYou

The second roadblock is fear, it's this scarcity mindset that says I've got to just take care of me and mine first because I'm afraid that one day I might run out. In the most famous sermon of Jesus ever, the sermon on the mount in Matthew chapter six, he talked about this very place in our hearts that builds security on holding on to what we have. [00:55:49] (25 seconds) #FaithOverFear

What Jesus is teaching us is that our fear or our scarcity issue is not primarily from a lack of resources, it comes from a lack of trusting in God and it tells us I got to hold on to what I have and we justify our impulse to just take everything I have and hoard it from me, skipping out on the practice of generosity that the Bible quite clearly teaches us leads to a blessed life. [00:56:48] (22 seconds) #GenerosityTransformsLives

He looked across the desk and said I want to keep paying you and he would pay me my full paycheck twice a month for six months, 12 full paychecks. I was getting paid more than the pastors of that church to go and volunteer and clean toilets in that church because we had understood the principle God was teaching us that I'll build your foundation. I don't want you to be your security, I'm your security. [01:02:23] (21 seconds)

God wants to build the foundation in your life. Maybe you're here today and before we can get to this practice of living generously and what the resources are in our hands and God's blessed us with to bless the world around us, maybe for you, you need to rewind a little bit to actually talk about not giving of your finances or your resources but giving of your life to God. [01:02:48] (23 seconds)

Because you're in the room today and you'd say I don't have a real relationship with God through faith and God brought you here today to let you know that generosity starts with God. He is a God that loves you, loved you so much he sent Jesus to the cross so that every bit of your past that holds on to you, every shame, every lie and every condemnation could be broken off and you could live in a real relationship with God but no fear, hope, joy for your future. [01:03:11] (31 seconds)

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