Overcoming Roadblocks to a Generous Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: True Life Is Found in Generosity, Not Possessions

A life focused on accumulating possessions is ultimately empty, while a life marked by generosity reflects the heart of God and leads to true fulfillment. Jesus warns us to be on guard against all kinds of greed, reminding us that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. When we hold tightly to what we have, we risk missing out on the joy and purpose that comes from being a conduit of God’s blessings to others. Instead, we are called to live with open hands, trusting that everything we have is from God and meant to be shared for His glory. [55:13]

Luke 12:15-21 (NIV)
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Reflection: What is one possession or resource you are holding onto tightly? How can you use it to bless someone else this week?

Day 2: Remembering Heaven Is Our True Home

When we forget that heaven is our true home and treat earth as our permanent residence, we become entangled in the pursuit of temporary comfort and security. God calls us to see this world as our assignment, not our destination, and to live with eternity in mind. By loosening our grip on earthly things and focusing on our eternal citizenship, we are freed to live generously and invest in what truly lasts. [57:00]

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Reflection: In what ways have you been living as if earth is your home? What is one step you can take today to shift your focus toward your eternal home?

Day 3: Living for the Line, Not the Dot

Our lives on earth are but a brief moment—a dot—compared to the endless line of eternity. When we live only for the present, we become self-focused and miss the opportunity to invest in God’s kingdom. Jesus calls us to be “rich toward God,” storing up treasures in heaven rather than hoarding for ourselves. By living for the line of eternity, generosity becomes a logical and joyful response, and our impact stretches far beyond our short time on earth. [01:09:13]

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your priorities from temporary gain to eternal impact this week?

Day 4: Generosity Breaks the Grip of Materialism

Materialism and greed are subtle, silent forces that can suffocate our spiritual lives, but generosity is the antidote that breaks their hold. Jesus teaches that giving is not just a good deed but a spiritual weapon that kills greed and opens our hearts to God’s purposes. When we give, we dethrone materialism and invite God’s freedom and joy into our lives, trusting Him as our true provider. [01:20:33]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Reflection: Is there an area where materialism or fear of lack is holding you back from giving? What is one act of generosity you can do today to break its grip?

Day 5: God Blesses Us to Be a Blessing

God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving. Every blessing and resource we receive is a trust from God, meant to flow through us to others for His kingdom’s sake. When we see ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we become channels of God’s love and provision, and our lives are marked by purpose and impact that outlasts us. [01:28:00]

Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Reflection: When God blesses you with more than you need, do you ask Him how to use it for others? Who is one person or ministry you can bless this week with what God has given you?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a call to remember who we are, where our true home lies, and how that shapes the way we live and give. We began by celebrating God’s goodness, modeling generosity for our children, and praying over the shoeboxes destined for children around the world—reminders that even the smallest acts of giving can have eternal impact. The story of the little girl in Romania, whose faith was sparked by a simple snow globe, illustrated how God uses our generosity in ways we may never see.

Turning to Luke 12 and the parable of the rich fool, we confronted the roadblocks that keep us from living generous, kingdom-centered lives. The first is forgetting that earth is not our home, but our assignment. We are here to bring a taste of heaven to earth, to be conduits of God’s love and provision. When we anchor our hearts in this world, we lose sight of eternity and our purpose.

The second roadblock is living for the “dot” instead of the “line”—focusing on this brief life rather than the endless line of eternity. The rich fool’s mistake was not his abundance, but his obsession with self and the temporary. He planned for decades but ignored his soul, storing up treasures that would soon belong to someone else. Jesus’ challenge is to be “rich toward God,” investing in what lasts forever.

Materialism is the third roadblock, a subtle and suffocating force that can quietly replace worship with wealth. Jesus’ antidote is not guilt or fear, but generosity itself. Giving breaks the grip of greed and opens our hearts to God’s purposes.

The fourth roadblock is misunderstanding why God prospers us. Blessings are not given to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving. We are stewards, not owners, and God entrusts us with resources to bless others and reveal His glory.

Throughout, we were invited not to condemnation, but to a journey—a journey of becoming more like Christ, letting generosity flow freely, and living for what we cannot lose. The call is to choose heaven over earth, the line over the dot, generosity over greed, and kingdom purpose over personal comfort. In doing so, we find true freedom, joy, and riches that last.

Key Takeaways

1. Earth is not our home, but our assignment When we see earth as our assignment rather than our home, our perspective on possessions and purpose shifts. We are here to usher in the presence of heaven, to be conduits of God’s love and generosity. This mindset frees us from clinging to temporary things and empowers us to live with open hands and hearts. [57:00]
2. Live for the line, not the dot Life on earth is a fleeting dot compared to the endless line of eternity. Focusing on the dot leads to anxiety, self-centeredness, and short-sighted decisions. But when we live for the line, we invest in what truly matters—eternal treasures, relationships, and kingdom impact. This shift makes generosity logical, not irrational. [69:13]
3. Generosity is the antidote to materialism Materialism is a silent, spiritual suffocation that can blind us to God’s presence and purpose. The only way to break its grip is through intentional, sacrificial giving. Generosity doesn’t just push greed aside; it kills it, making room for God’s joy and freedom to flourish in our lives. [80:46]
4. Prosperity is for purpose, not comfort God blesses us not to increase our comfort, but to increase our capacity to bless others. Every resource is a trust, not a possession. When we see ourselves as stewards, we ask God how He wants to use what He’s given us, and we find fulfillment in being part of His redemptive work. [83:02]
5. True riches are found in being “rich toward God” The world measures wealth by accumulation, but God measures it by what we invest in His kingdom. Being “rich toward God” means living with eternity in view, holding possessions lightly, and letting generosity define our legacy. This is where true joy and freedom are found. [71:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:01] - Opening Praise and Bible Verse
[06:03] - Prayer and Shoebox Blessing
[18:06] - Entering God’s Presence
[18:27] - The Purpose of Christ’s Coming
[20:08] - Shoebox Testimony: The Snow Globe
[22:07] - Congregational Prayer Over Shoeboxes
[42:39] - Worship and Turning to the Word
[45:13] - Generosity as a Lifestyle
[46:35] - Roadblocks to Generosity
[48:14] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
[49:58] - Heaven as Our True Home
[57:00] - Earth Is Our Assignment
[69:13] - Living for the Line, Not the Dot
[75:42] - Breaking Materialism Through Giving
[83:02] - Prosperity for Kingdom Purpose
[91:28] - Guarding Against Greed
[95:04] - Choosing Heaven Over Earth
[100:15] - Invitation to Salvation and Generosity
[108:38] - Closing Blessing and Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Luke 12:13-21 (NIV) – The Parable of the Rich Fool

> 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
> 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
> 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
> 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
> 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
> 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
> 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
> 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
> 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

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### Observation Questions

In the parable, what was the rich man’s main concern when he received an abundant harvest? ([55:37])
According to Jesus, what does life NOT consist of? ([55:13])
What warning does Jesus give in verse 15, and why is it important? ([55:13])
What does Jesus say will happen to those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God? ([56:02])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus call the man in the parable a “fool”? What does this reveal about God’s perspective on wealth and priorities? ([56:02])
The sermon says, “Earth is not my home. It is my assignment.” How does this idea challenge the way people usually think about their possessions and purpose? ([57:00])
The rich man planned for decades but ignored his soul. What does it mean to “be rich toward God,” and how is that different from being rich in the world’s eyes? ([01:11:17])
The sermon mentions that materialism is a “silent, spiritual suffocation.” How does generosity act as an antidote to materialism, according to the message? ([01:20:46])

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to see earth as our assignment, not our home. Is there an area of your life where you are living as if earth is your permanent home? What would it look like to shift your mindset to see yourself as “on assignment” for God? ([57:00])
The “dot and the line” illustration was used to show the difference between living for this short life and living for eternity. What is one decision you’ve made recently that was focused on the “dot” (the temporary) instead of the “line” (eternity)? How could you approach a similar decision differently next time? ([01:09:13])
The sermon says, “Generosity breaks greed. Giving dethrones materialism.” Is there something you own or hold onto tightly that God might be asking you to release or share? What step could you take this week to practice generosity in a new way? ([01:20:46])
The message teaches that God blesses us not to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving. When you receive a blessing or extra resource, do you usually think about how it can benefit you, or how it can bless others? How can you start asking God, “What do you want me to do with this?” ([01:23:02])
The story of the shoebox and the snow globe showed how a small act of generosity can have an eternal impact. Can you think of a time when a small act of giving (yours or someone else’s) made a big difference? How does this encourage you to be generous, even in small ways? ([20:08])
The sermon invited everyone to choose heaven over earth, the line over the dot, generosity over greed, and kingdom purpose over personal comfort. Which of these choices is hardest for you right now, and why? What is one practical step you can take this week to move in that direction? ([01:35:04])
The pastor said, “Generosity is not what God wants from you. It’s what God wants for you.” How does this change the way you think about giving? ([01:30:21])

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Sermon Clips

Let me say that again. He was rich in this world but he was bankrupt before God. That's a challenge that we all have to struggle through so when these roadblocks come we find ways to get beyond the roadblock. He was good at business but he was poor at eternity. He knew how to store wealth but not how to steward wealth. In Luke 12, 15, Jesus gives us one of the most important financial warnings in all of scripture. Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. [00:48:38] (37 seconds) #HeavenIsMyHome

The tension in today's message would be this, will I live for what I cannot keep or will I live for what I cannot lose? I want to challenge you today to start thinking about living in such a way for things that you cannot lose. What are those things you cannot lose? We talked about it last week. Everything that you lay up as treasures in heaven, you cannot lose them. He said that that's where moth and rust will not destroy. But what you lay up on this earth, everything on this earth is going to pass away. [00:53:21] (34 seconds) #EarthIsMyAssignment

Here's what I want you to grasp. Listen to me. Earth is not my home. It is my assignment. Can I say that again? I'd jot that down if you don't have it anywhere else. Earth is not your home. It is your assignment. You have been given an assignment here on earth to usher in the presence of heaven. That's why Jesus said, Pray thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Earth is your assignment. Amen. Not your eternal home. [00:56:58] (30 seconds) #BeASoulOnFire

Then Jesus gives a warning. He said, be on guard. The Greek word right here means to place a soldier at the door. In other words, over your heart, over your mind, over everything about who you are. Put a guard at the front gate right here. And don't let greed creep into your life. It's an important word that we understand. Greed is an intruder that is always trying to break in. Let me say that again. I don't care how much you read and study the word and how much you pray. [01:00:57] (34 seconds) #ThisWorldIsNotMyHome

Your life is on loan from God here on this earth. You don't know what tomorrow brings. You don't know, listen to me, you don't know what day your soul will be required of you. God is the one who numbered your days. God, listen to me, Satan can't take you out of this earth one day sooner than God says you're going out. Your life is on loan. He numbered your days. This man lived like earth was home, and eternity was theoretical. And that's why giving felt unnecessary to him. [01:04:52] (43 seconds) #HoldWithALighterGrip

Here's some practical things. A believer who knows where his home truly is sees possessions differently. Here's what you do. You begin to hold on things with a lighter grip. You release quicker. Amen. And you give easier because you realize all of this is going to fade away. Remember, you're not furnishing your hotel room. You're equipping your eternal residence. Hallelujah. Let me tell you something, and this is cheap furniture down there, but in the house that my father's building for me, Jesus says, I go to prepare a place for you. [01:07:58] (33 seconds) #LiveForTheLine

When earth feels like home, giving feels like losing. But when heaven is home, giving feels like investing. Point number two. I got to hurry. Roadblock number two. Living for the dot instead of the line. The dot is the brief life. The line is eternity. If you were to grab a sheet of paper and put a dot on it, that's life here on this earth. Solomon said it's but for a moment of vapor. Then draw a line from one edge of the paper to the other, extending off the paper and let it run on the table and keep going. [01:09:03] (32 seconds) #BreakMaterialismWithGiving

Materialism blinds us so thoroughly that God disappears from the picture completely. And how does Jesus say to fight it? Not by being guilty. Not by fear. Not by willpower. Not by praying. Not by reading more. But by giving. It's the only way you can break greed off of your life. Generosity breaks greed. Giving dethrones materialism. Open hands keeps the heart open. The thought here. The third roadblock to generosity is the silent stranglehold of greed. [01:20:21] (38 seconds) #BreakFreeFromGreed

``God blesses you for a reason. We need to understand the reason. God prospers me, and I mentioned this last week. And I felt it was so good that I wanted to add it in again this week. That he did that not to raise your standard of living, but to raise your standard of giving. To make what you receive from God match what you let flow through you into others. The man never asked God, what do you want me to do with your abundance? Do you ever ask God that? [01:22:53] (45 seconds) #LiveForTheKingdom

God does not increase us to enlarge our barns. He increases us to enlarge our impact. Generosity is not what God wants from you. It's what God wants for you. Listen to me. He's not trying to get something from you. He's trying to give you something through generosity. Because if you'll give, he'll give, give, and it shall be given unto you. Press down, good measure, running over. But he can't do that if you constantly store it up for yourself. [01:30:10] (36 seconds)

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