Owning Our Faith: Trust, Obedience, and Generosity
Summary
Life is full of moments where we’re called to “own it”—to own our worship, our faith, our trust, and our obedience. Even when we’ve messed up, God is still working miracles and inviting us to step into His faithfulness. The journey of faith is not about perfection, but about responding to God’s call in the small things. Just as a significant transformation—like a major health change or a financial breakthrough—begins with a single, simple decision, so too does spiritual growth begin with small acts of trust and obedience. God is watching how we handle the little things, because if we can’t be faithful in the small, we can’t expect Him to entrust us with the great.
God’s faithfulness is not just a concept to admire, but a reality to own. He remembers His promises, provides for our needs, and blesses not only us but our children and their children. Yet, we often struggle with trust, obedience, and generosity. We may say we trust God, but when it comes to giving, to honoring Him with our first fruits, or to stepping out in faith, we hold back. The challenge is to pass the “trust test” and the “obedience test”—to be doers, not just hearers, of God’s Word.
Everything we have belongs to God—our finances, our health, our opportunities, even our very lives. We are stewards, not owners. When we honor God with our first and best, not our leftovers, He promises to overflow our lives with blessing—not just material, but spiritual and relational. Contentment is a mark of godliness, and avoiding debt is a practical way to walk in freedom and generosity. The culture may tell us that contentment is losing, but in God’s economy, contentment is great gain.
The call is to trust God fully, obey Him completely, and honor Him consistently. This means practical steps: creating a budget, investing time in loved ones, and being generous with what God has given. It’s not about the amount, but about the heart. When we submit all to God, we become unstoppable for His glory, and He moves in miraculous ways. Let’s not just talk about faith—let’s act on it, trusting that God can do extraordinary things with even the smallest offering.
Key Takeaways
- Faithfulness in Small Things Leads to Greater Blessings
God often tests us in the small, everyday decisions before entrusting us with greater responsibilities or blessings. If we can’t be faithful with $35, how can we expect God to trust us with $1,000,000? The journey to abundance and breakthrough starts with honoring God in the little things, which sets the foundation for greater miracles in our lives. [12:49]
- Generosity and Obedience Are Acts of Worship
True worship is not just about singing or preaching, but about being generous and obedient to God’s promptings. When we hold tightly to what we have, we miss out on the blessings that come from open-handed living. God honors those who act on His Word, even when it feels costly or inconvenient, and He uses our obedience to impact generations. [17:12]
- God Owns Everything—We Are Stewards, Not Owners
Everything we possess—our money, our health, our talents, even our families—belongs to God. Recognizing this shifts our perspective from entitlement to stewardship, freeing us to honor God with our first and best. At the end of our lives, what matters is not what we accumulated, but how well we trusted, obeyed, and honored God with what He entrusted to us. [38:24]
- Contentment and Avoiding Debt Are Spiritual Disciplines
Culture pushes us to always want more, but Scripture teaches that godliness with contentment is great gain. Practicing contentment and avoiding unnecessary debt are not just financial principles, but spiritual disciplines that reflect trust in God’s provision. When we are content, we are free to be generous and to invest in what truly matters—relationships and God’s kingdom. [50:41]
- Honoring God with First Fruits Unlocks Overflow
When we honor God with our first fruits—giving Him the first and best of our resources—He promises to fill our lives with overflowing blessings. This principle is not about legalism, but about trust and gratitude. Consistently putting God first in our finances and decisions positions us to experience His supernatural provision and favor. [44:19]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Owning Your Worship and Faith
[03:45] - God Works Through Small Beginnings
[07:30] - The Trust Test: Can God Trust You?
[12:49] - Faithfulness in the Little Things
[17:12] - Generosity and Obedience in Action
[24:04] - The Power of First Fruits
[27:12] - Trusting God with All Your Heart
[31:56] - Submitting Every Area to God
[35:35] - Generosity Passed to the Next Generation
[38:24] - God Owns Everything
[42:41] - God Is Our Provider
[44:19] - Honoring God with First Fruits
[46:36] - Wise Stewardship and Avoiding Waste
[50:41] - Contentment and Debt-Free Living
[55:25] - Investing in What Matters Most
[57:01] - A Call to Contentment and Perspective
[58:34] - Responding in Worship and Giving
[01:00:13] - Heart Surrender and Prayer
[01:03:07] - Miracles and Closing Blessing
[01:04:32] - Invitation to Salvation and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
> Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
> and do not lean on your own understanding.
> In all your ways acknowledge him,
> and he will make straight your paths.
Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
> The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
> the world and those who dwell therein.
1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)
> But godliness with contentment is great gain.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and what is the result of acknowledging Him in all your ways?
2. In Psalm 24:1, what does it say about who owns everything in the world? How does this challenge the way we view our possessions? [38:24]
3. The sermon mentioned that contentment is seen as “great gain” in 1 Timothy 6:6. How does this differ from what our culture teaches about contentment and success? [50:41]
4. The pastor shared a story about honoring God with “first fruits” even when he only earned $35 a week. What principle was he teaching through this example? [24:04]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God cares about how we handle the “small things” in our lives before entrusting us with greater blessings? [12:49]
2. The sermon emphasized that everything we have belongs to God and we are stewards, not owners. How might this perspective change the way someone manages their finances, time, or talents? [38:24]
3. The “trust test” and “obedience test” were mentioned as ways God checks our hearts. What are some practical ways these tests might show up in everyday life? [17:12]
4. The pastor said that contentment and avoiding debt are not just financial principles but spiritual disciplines. Why do you think these are connected to our faith and trust in God? [50:41]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to “own it” when it comes to our worship, faith, trust, and obedience. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel God is asking you to “own it” more fully? What would that look like this week? [01:00:13]
2. When it comes to giving, do you tend to give God your “first and best” or your “leftovers”? What is one step you could take to honor God with your first fruits in a practical way? [44:19]
3. The pastor shared about creating a budget and being wise with what God has given. Do you have a plan for your finances that reflects stewardship? If not, what is one small change you could make this month? [55:25]
4. Think about a recent situation where you felt prompted to be generous or obedient, but you hesitated. What held you back, and how could you respond differently next time? [17:12]
5. The sermon talked about investing time in loved ones and not just focusing on money or things. Who is one person you could intentionally invest time in this week, and how will you do it? [49:18]
6. Are there areas where you struggle with contentment or feel pressure to “keep up” with others? What is one practical way you can practice contentment this week? [50:41]
7. The pastor mentioned that our choices impact not just us, but our children and even their children. What is one habit or value you want to pass on to the next generation, and what step can you take to model it? [35:35]
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Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God with All Your Heart
Trusting God means surrendering every area of your life—finances, relationships, dreams, and even your failures—into His hands, believing that He is faithful and able to provide, guide, and restore beyond your understanding. When you lean not on your own plans but submit every decision to Him, He promises to make your path straight, even when circumstances seem uncertain or you feel unworthy. God is not limited by your past mistakes or your current resources; He delights in your trust and wants to do miraculous things in and through you when you let go of control and trust Him fully. [31:56]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been relying on your own understanding instead of trusting God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?
Day 2: God Owns Everything
Recognizing that God owns everything—your house, your car, your health, your finances, even your dreams—frees you from the illusion of control and invites you to steward His blessings with gratitude and humility. Nothing you possess is truly yours; it is all entrusted to you by God, and He calls you to honor Him with how you use it. This perspective shifts your heart from clinging to possessions to open-handed generosity, knowing that at the end of your life, what matters most is how you trusted, obeyed, and honored God with what He gave you. [38:24]
Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
Reflection: List one thing you tend to hold tightly as “yours.” How can you intentionally offer it back to God in gratitude and stewardship this week?
Day 3: Honoring God with Firstfruits
Honoring God with your firstfruits means giving Him the best and the first of your resources—not the leftovers—whether it’s your finances, your time, or your talents. This act of worship demonstrates trust in God’s provision and acknowledges His lordship over every area of your life. When you consistently put God first, He promises to bless you with overflowing abundance—not just financially, but in restoration, renewal, and unexpected favor for you and your family. [44:19]
Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can give God your “first” this week—whether in your finances, your time, or your attention?
Day 4: Practicing Contentment and Avoiding Debt
Contentment is a spiritual gain that runs counter to a culture of endless consumption and comparison; it means being grateful for what God has provided and resisting the urge to chase after more. Avoiding unnecessary debt and practicing wise stewardship allows you to live in freedom and generosity, rather than being enslaved to financial burdens or the constant pursuit of “the next thing.” God calls you to be content and to love others, not to be trapped by materialism or anxiety over what you lack. [50:41]
1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Reflection: Where do you feel pressure to “keep up” or acquire more? How can you practice gratitude and contentment in that area today?
Day 5: Obedience in the Small Things
God often tests your heart through small acts of obedience—whether it’s giving a small amount, blessing someone in need, or responding to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in everyday moments. These seemingly minor decisions reveal your trustworthiness and prepare you for greater blessings and responsibilities. When you are faithful in the little things, God multiplies your impact and uses your obedience to bless not only you, but also your children and generations to come. [12:49]
Luke 16:10 (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.”
Reflection: Think of a small act of obedience God is prompting you toward today—will you do it, even if it feels insignificant? What might God be preparing you for through your faithfulness in this?
Quotes
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