Rich Toward God: Trust, Gratitude, and Community
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a community of seekers, each of us choosing to come together in hope of encountering God—in one another, in Scripture, and in the sacred meal we share. Our welcome is radical and genuine: all are invited, regardless of background, belief, or circumstance. What unites us is not sameness of thought, but a shared openness of heart to what God is doing among us. As we sang, prayed, and listened, we reflected on Jesus’ teaching about greed and the deeper invitation to be “rich toward God.”
Jesus’ parable about the man who stored up wealth only to find it useless in a new land reminds us that what we accumulate for ourselves can quickly lose its value. True richness is not measured by possessions, but by faithfulness, service, generosity, prayer, and trust in God. Children and adults alike are called to consider what it means to be “rich toward God”—to live lives marked by trust, giving, and openness to God’s care.
We also explored the human tendency to judge others and to triangulate—asking God or others to fix someone else, rather than examining our own hearts. Jesus, when asked to intervene in a family dispute, declined to judge or take sides. Instead, he pointed to the deeper issue: the subtle, pervasive nature of greed and the way it can erode trust and connection. Jesus’ refusal to judge invites us to imagine a God who desires closeness with us more than judgment, a God who is trustworthy and faithful even when we struggle to trust in return.
Greed, we learned, is not just about money; it is about the ways we try to secure ourselves, often at the expense of trust—in God, in others, and even in ourselves. Our culture often celebrates greed as ambition, but Scripture calls it idolatry: trusting in something other than God to save us. The antidote is gratitude and trust, recognizing the abundance already present in our lives and learning to enjoy God’s gifts as acts of worship.
Trust takes time to build, both with people and with God. We reflected on our own experiences of learning to trust—how repeated faithfulness builds confidence, and how even in our suspicion and isolation, we are always trusting in something. God’s faithfulness is constant, inviting us to take one more step toward deeper trust and richness in relationship with God. As we move into the week, we are challenged to consider: What is one step we can take to grow in trust and become more “rich toward God”?
Key Takeaways
- Radical Welcome and Unity of Heart
True Christian community is not about uniformity of thought, but about being united in heart by what God is doing among us. Welcoming all people—regardless of age, background, or belief—reflects the heart of God and creates space for authentic encounters with the divine. This kind of welcome challenges us to see each person as beloved and to practice hospitality that is both inclusive and transformative. [01:23]
- Jesus Declines to Judge, Invites Us to Trust
When confronted with demands to judge or fix others, Jesus refuses to be drawn into triangulation or to act as a judge. Instead, he models healthy boundaries and redirects attention to the deeper issues within ourselves. This challenges us to let go of harsh self-judgment and the assumption that God is always judging us, opening the possibility of a relationship with God rooted in trust and closeness rather than fear. [16:07]
- Greed as Idolatry and Its Subtle Power
Greed is not simply a desire for more, but a form of idolatry—placing our trust in wealth, possessions, or security rather than in God. It is sneaky, often justified or even celebrated in our culture, but it ultimately distances us from God and others. Recognizing and naming greed in our lives is the first step toward freedom and deeper trust in God’s provision. [20:35]
- Gratitude and Enjoyment as Worship
God provides abundantly for our needs—life, food, relationships, and community. When we pause to notice and enjoy these gifts, we are engaging in a form of worship that honors the Giver. Greed arises when we move from gratitude to entitlement, demanding more rather than delighting in what is already given. Practicing gratitude reorients our hearts toward God and away from the anxiety of scarcity. [22:30]
- Trust Takes Time and Is Built Through Faithfulness
Trust in God, like trust in any relationship, is built over time through repeated experiences of faithfulness. Even when we struggle to trust, God remains steadfast, inviting us to remember past faithfulness as a foundation for present and future trust. Taking intentional steps to trust God more deeply—especially in areas where greed or anxiety tempts us to rely on ourselves—leads to a richer, more connected life with God. [25:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Gathering and Radical Welcome
[02:08] - Communal Prayer and Song
[05:39] - Children’s Lesson: Rich Toward God
[11:27] - Reflections from CUNA Days
[13:09] - Triangulation and Human Temptation
[15:17] - Jesus Declines to Judge
[16:07] - The Subtlety of Greed
[17:07] - Greed in Culture and Faith
[20:35] - Richness Toward God
[22:30] - Gratitude and Worship
[23:54] - Building Trust Over Time
[25:03] - Everyday Trust and God’s Faithfulness
[30:16] - Prayers of the People
[32:15] - Offering Ourselves to God
[35:19] - Communion and Remembrance
[39:32] - Sent Out and Announcements
[46:38] - Blessing and Sending Forth
[49:28] - Closing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Rich Toward God—Trust, Generosity, and Radical Welcome”
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### Bible Reading
Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)
> 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Colossians 3:5 (ESV)
> Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Psalm 49:10-12 (ESV)
> 10 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
> 11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.
> 12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable Jesus tells in Luke 12, what does the rich man do with his abundance, and what is God’s response to him?
[[06:25]]
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways people can be “rich toward God” besides giving money?
[[07:22]]
3. When someone asks Jesus to settle a family dispute, how does Jesus respond, and what deeper issue does he address instead?
[[14:01]]
4. How does Paul describe greed in Colossians 3:5, and what does he compare it to?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might Jesus refuse to act as a judge or arbitrator in the family dispute, and what does this reveal about his priorities for our relationships?
[[14:01]]
2. The sermon says greed is “sneaky” and often celebrated as ambition in our culture. How can someone tell the difference between healthy ambition and greed that distances us from God?
[[17:07]]
3. The sermon describes God as wanting closeness with us more than judgment. How does this understanding of God challenge common assumptions about God’s character?
[[16:07]]
4. What does it mean to be “rich toward God” in practical, everyday life? How is this different from simply having a lot of possessions or security?
[[20:35]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talks about “radical welcome”—inviting all people, regardless of background or belief, into community. What is one way you can practice this kind of welcome in your daily life or in our church?
[[01:23]]
2. Jesus refuses to judge or “fix” others when asked, instead inviting people to look at their own hearts. Is there a situation in your life where you are tempted to ask God to change someone else, rather than examining your own heart? What would it look like to respond differently?
[[14:01]]
3. The sermon says greed is not just about money, but about trying to secure ourselves instead of trusting God. Where do you notice yourself trying to “store up” security—whether with money, relationships, or achievements? How might you take a step toward trusting God in that area?
[[17:07]]
4. Practicing gratitude is described as an antidote to greed. What is one specific gift or blessing in your life that you often overlook? How can you intentionally enjoy and give thanks for it this week?
[[22:30]]
5. Trust in God is built over time, through repeated experiences of God’s faithfulness. Can you recall a time when God proved trustworthy in your life? How might remembering that help you trust God with something you’re facing now?
[[25:03]]
6. The sermon challenges us to consider: “What is one step we can take to grow in trust and become more ‘rich toward God’?” What is one practical step you feel led to take this week?
[[25:03]]
7. The sermon mentions that our culture often encourages us to treat people and even God in a transactional way—seeking benefit while keeping distance. Are there relationships in your life where you notice this pattern? What would it look like to move toward deeper connection and trust instead?
[[17:07]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for courage to trust God more deeply, to practice gratitude, and to welcome others with open hearts.
Devotional
Day 1: Be on Guard Against All Kinds of Greed
Greed is a subtle temptation that can quietly take root in our hearts, leading us to trust in possessions or wealth rather than in God’s faithful provision. Jesus warns us not simply to avoid greed, but to be vigilant and discerning, recognizing how easily we can justify wanting more than we need. Greed is not limited to the wealthy; it can affect anyone, regardless of circumstances, and it often disguises itself as ambition or self-protection. The call is to examine our desires and motivations, to see where we may be seeking security or identity in things rather than in God, and to remember that true richness is found in relationship with God, not in the accumulation of stuff. [17:07]
Luke 12:15 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you notice a subtle desire for more—whether it’s money, recognition, or comfort—and how might you invite God to help you guard your heart against it today?
Day 2: Jesus Declines to Judge and Invites Closeness
When confronted with demands to judge or intervene, Jesus refuses to be drawn into taking sides or passing judgment, even though he has the authority to do so. Instead, he models healthy boundaries and a refusal to participate in cycles of blame and triangulation. This challenges our assumptions about God’s posture toward us; rather than standing over us in judgment, Jesus desires closeness and relationship. If we believe God is always judging us, it is hard to feel safe or loved. But if Jesus declines to judge, we are invited to draw near, to trust in his mercy, and to let go of harsh self-judgment and the need to judge others. [16:07]
John 8:15-16 (ESV)
“You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most judged—by yourself or others—and how might you let Jesus’ refusal to judge free you to experience his love more deeply?
Day 3: Richness Toward God Begins with Trust
Being “rich toward God” is not about material wealth but about cultivating a deep trust in God’s faithfulness and provision. Trusting God means letting go of the illusion that we can secure our lives through our own efforts or resources, and instead, resting in the assurance that God has always been faithful and will continue to be. This trust is built over time, through remembering God’s past faithfulness and choosing to rely on him in the present, even when outcomes are uncertain. Richness toward God is expressed in prayer, service, generosity, and a willingness to depend on God rather than on ourselves. [20:35]
Psalm 49:10-12 (ESV)
“For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can express trust in God today—perhaps by letting go of a worry, serving someone else, or giving generously?
Day 4: God Desires Relationship, Not Transaction
God is not interested in a transactional relationship where we offer obedience or faith in exchange for blessings or protection; instead, God desires a close, authentic relationship with us. We often treat God like a commodity, expecting benefits while keeping our distance, but God invites us into something much deeper—a relationship marked by trust, vulnerability, and mutual love. This means moving beyond conditional faith (“I’ll trust you if…”) and embracing God’s presence and goodness regardless of circumstances, knowing that God’s greatest gift is God’s own self. [19:30]
Hosea 6:6 (ESV)
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Reflection: Where have you been tempted to treat your relationship with God as a transaction, and how can you take a step toward deeper, more genuine connection with God today?
Day 5: Trust Takes Time and Is Built Through Experience
Trusting God is a journey that develops over time, often through repeated experiences of God’s faithfulness in both small and significant ways. Just as trust in people grows as we see them keep their promises, so our trust in God grows as we remember how God has provided, protected, and been present in our lives. Even when we struggle with suspicion or fear, we are invited to recall the ways God has already shown trustworthiness, and to take one more step of trust today, knowing that God has always been with us and will continue to be. [25:03]
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: Think back on a time when God proved faithful in your life—how does remembering that experience help you trust God with something you’re facing right now?
Quotes
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