Sowing Generously: Trusting God’s Promise of Increase

Oct 26, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God in All Circumstances

Trust in the Lord is the foundation of our relationship with Him, especially when we face uncertainty or challenges. When we choose to trust God, we are established and strengthened, no matter what season we are in—whether in times of harvest or in times of need. Trusting God means believing that He is always present, always faithful, and always working for our good, even when we cannot see the outcome. As we put our trust in Him and in His Word, we find the courage to take steps of faith, knowing that He will sustain and guide us. [42:22]

2 Chronicles 20:20 (ESV)
And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God fully? How can you take a concrete step today to place that area into His hands?

Day 2: God’s Invitation to Test His Faithfulness

God uniquely invites us to test His faithfulness in the area of giving, promising to pour out blessings beyond what we can contain when we bring our whole tithe into His storehouse. This is not just about material provision, but about experiencing the abundance of God’s presence and favor in every aspect of our lives. When we respond to His challenge, we discover that He is true to His word, opening the windows of heaven and providing for us in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves. [43:00]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Reflection: In what specific way can you “test” God’s faithfulness this week by stepping out in generosity or obedience, even if it feels risky?

Day 3: Sowing Generously and Reaping Abundantly

The principle of sowing and reaping reminds us that the measure of our generosity determines the measure of our harvest. When we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly; when we sow generously, we reap generously. God calls us to give not out of reluctance or compulsion, but from a cheerful and willing heart, trusting that He will multiply what we offer for the sake of His kingdom. Our giving is not just about finances, but about sowing trust, patience, and faith, knowing that God will bring an abundant harvest—both in our lives and in the lives of others. [48:41]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Reflection: Think of a time when you gave generously—of your time, resources, or encouragement. How did God use that act to bless others or grow your own faith?

Day 4: God Supplies and Multiplies for Every Good Work

God is the ultimate provider, supplying seed to the sower and bread for food, and He promises to multiply what we entrust to Him. He enriches us in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion, and through our generosity, thanksgiving overflows to God. The abundance God gives is not just for our own benefit, but so that we can participate in His work, meeting the needs of others and advancing His kingdom. As we steward what He has given, we experience His grace and see the harvest of righteousness grow. [59:15]

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (ESV)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Reflection: Where have you seen God provide for you in unexpected ways? How can you use what He has given you to bless someone else this week?

Day 5: Our Giving as Ministry and Witness

Our generosity is a ministry that supplies the needs of God’s people and overflows in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. Through our obedience and liberality, others are drawn to glorify God and are encouraged in their faith. The impact of our giving extends far beyond what we can see, as lives are changed, prayers are offered, and the gospel is made known. One day, we may meet people whose lives were transformed because we chose to give, serve, and love in Jesus’ name. [01:04:55]

2 Corinthians 9:12-14 (ESV)
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

Reflection: Who is someone outside your immediate circle that you can bless through your giving or service this week, so that they might experience God’s love in a tangible way?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the profound spiritual reality of sowing and reaping, especially as it relates to our giving and stewardship. Trust in God is foundational—He invites us not only to trust Him, but uniquely in Malachi 3:10, to “test” Him in the area of generosity. This is a rare and bold invitation from the Lord, promising that if we bring our first fruits, He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings beyond what we can contain. The principle is clear: God is the source of all we have, and He entrusts us with resources not for our own sake, but so that we might bless others and advance His kingdom.

Stewardship is inseparable from discipleship. To be a disciple is to be a steward—entrusted with the life of Christ within us and with the resources God provides. The call is to give our first and best, trusting God with the increase, just as the people of Israel were called to offer their first fruits. This is not about legalism or compulsion, but about relationship and trust. The heart of giving is not reluctance or guilt, but cheerful, even “hilarious” generosity that springs from a deep relationship with God and a desire to see others come to know Him.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians remind us that generosity is not transactional, but transformational. When we sow generously, we reap generously—not just in material things, but in the harvest of righteousness, in lives changed, and in the spread of the gospel. God’s promise is not merely to increase our standard of living, but our standard of giving. As we give, God enriches us in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion, resulting in thanksgiving and glory to God.

Our giving is ministry. It supplies the needs of God’s people, supports local and global missions, and overflows in many expressions of gratitude to God. The impact of our generosity reaches far beyond what we can see—touching lives, supporting ministries, and even prompting prayers from people we may never meet. Ultimately, the greatest gift is Jesus Himself, and our giving is a response to His indescribable gift, a way of participating in the ongoing work of God’s kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Trusting God with our resources is an act of faith that deepens our relationship with Him. When God invites us to “test” Him in our giving, He is calling us to experience His faithfulness in tangible ways, reminding us that His promises never fail and that He is the ultimate provider. [43:00]
2. Stewardship and discipleship are inseparable; to be a faithful follower of Jesus is to be a faithful steward of all He entrusts to us. Our management of God’s resources reflects our trust in Him and our willingness to participate in His mission to bless others. [45:33]
3. Generosity is not about compulsion or guilt, but about the condition of our hearts. God delights in cheerful, even “hilarious” givers—those who give freely out of love and gratitude, not out of obligation or pressure. This kind of giving transforms both the giver and the receiver. [53:58]
4. God’s abundance is not measured by material wealth alone, but by the overflow of grace, righteousness, and impact in the lives of others. When we sow generously, God multiplies our resources and our influence, enabling us to abound in every good work and to see lives changed for His glory. [55:17]
5. The ripple effect of our giving extends far beyond what we can see. Our generosity supplies needs, supports ministries, and results in thanksgiving and prayer from people we may never meet. In eternity, we may discover that our faithful giving played a part in someone’s journey to Christ—a legacy that endures forever. [72:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:25] - Personal Update and Progress
[41:06] - The Practice of Bringing Our Gifts
[41:45] - Sowing and Reaping: Kingdom Increase
[42:22] - Trust in the Lord: Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat
[43:00] - God’s Challenge: “Test Me” in Giving
[44:19] - The Nature of Stewardship
[45:33] - Discipleship and Stewardship United
[46:50] - The Principle of First Fruits
[47:26] - Paul’s Appeal to the Corinthians
[48:41] - Sowing in Trust and Patience
[50:46] - Perisuo: Overflowing Generosity
[52:01] - Giving from the Heart, Not Compulsion
[53:58] - The Cheerful Giver
[55:17] - God’s Abundant Grace in Giving
[58:37] - God’s Faithfulness to Provide
[61:10] - The Harvest of Righteousness
[63:39] - Generosity Results in Thanksgiving
[64:55] - Giving as Ministry: Local and Global Impact
[69:16] - The Power of Prayer and Partnership
[70:29] - The Ultimate Gift and Our Legacy
[73:34] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Respond
[74:35] - Worship and Response

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Sowing, Reaping, and Generosity

Bible Reading

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
> Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (ESV)
> 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Observation Questions

In Malachi 3:10, what unique invitation does God give to His people regarding giving? How is this different from other times God asks us to trust Him? ([43:00])
According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, what is the connection between how we sow and how we reap? What kind of attitude does God desire in our giving? ([48:41]; [53:58])
What does Paul say will happen when we give generously, according to 2 Corinthians 9:8-11? What are some of the results mentioned? ([55:17]; [01:02:25])
In the sermon, what examples were given of how our giving supports both local and global ministry? ([01:04:55])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God specifically invites us to “test” Him in the area of giving, but not in other areas of faith? What does this reveal about God’s heart for us? ([43:00])
The sermon says stewardship and discipleship are inseparable. What does it mean to be a steward as a disciple of Jesus? How does this affect the way we view our resources? ([45:33])
Paul says God loves a “cheerful” or even “hilarious” giver. Why is the attitude behind our giving so important to God? How does this attitude impact both the giver and the receiver? ([53:58])
The sermon mentions that God’s abundance is not just about material wealth, but about the “harvest of righteousness.” What does this mean in practical terms for our lives and for the church? ([01:01:10])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to trust God with our resources as an act of faith. Is there an area of your finances or resources where you find it hard to trust God? What would it look like to “test” Him in this area this week? ([43:00])
Think about your current approach to giving—whether it’s time, money, or talents. Would you describe your giving as “cheerful” or “reluctant”? What might help you move toward more joyful generosity? ([53:58])
The principle of “first fruits” means giving God our first and best, not our leftovers. What would it look like for you to give your “first fruits” in your current season of life? ([46:50])
The sermon says our giving is ministry—it supplies needs, supports missions, and results in thanksgiving to God. Can you think of a time when your giving (or someone else’s) made a tangible difference in someone’s life or ministry? How did that impact you? ([01:04:55])
The ripple effect of generosity means our giving can impact people we may never meet. How does this perspective change the way you think about your regular giving or serving? ([01:12:59])
The pastor shared a story about people investing in his life so he could know Jesus. Who has invested in your spiritual journey? Is there someone you could invest in—through giving, encouragement, or service—so they might come to know Christ? ([01:11:04])
The sermon says God increases our “standard of giving,” not just our “standard of living.” What is one practical step you could take this month to increase your generosity—whether financially, with your time, or in another area? ([01:01:10])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for hearts that trust God, for cheerful generosity, and for eyes to see the impact of their giving—both seen and unseen. Ask God to use your group’s resources to bless others and advance His kingdom.

Sermon Clips

“When we sow and reap, the father increases the kingdom. Amen. And so we begin again with this a reminder from King Hezekiah. No, that's not the wrong king. That's the wrong king. King Jehoshaphat. Trust in practice. Listen to what he says because this verse really helps me a lot of times in my own life when I'm struggling with things. Lord, how do I do this? And I hear this verse from 2 Chronicles 20 ringing in my head.”

“Put your trust in the Lord your God. We just sang these wonderful songs. Provision in the desert. That wonderful photo there with the background of the desert. Lord, we will bring praise. We will praise you in times of harvest, in times of poverty. Why? Because you are the Lord our God. You're always there.”

“Put your trust in the Lord and you will be established. You will be made strong. You'll be you will be strengthened. Put your trust in his prophets and succeed. And the idea there for us today is his word. What is the father saying to us that we may understand and know him?”

“This time the father is saying, "No, try me. Test me in this. Bring the whole tithe in the storehouse that they may be food in my house. He says, "Why test me, says the Lord Almighty?" And remember, Lord Almighty is always the Lord who fights for your soul, who speaking into you in the deep recesses of us to help us respond.”

“And see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven, the windows of heaven as some some uh translations say, and pour out so much blessing, there will not be enough room for it." Because we always want the father to bless us more than we deserve. Amen. We like the father to give us more than we need. Amen.”

“Because remember the promise of scripture is this that the grass will fade, the flowers will wither, but the word of the Lord will last forever. Then the father backs that up by saying when I send out my word, when I speak something, I plan for it, it will not come back void. It will be fruitful.”

“The whole idea here the nature of stewardship is that we have been trusted with something. Trust goes two ways. One, the father has trusted us with his resources and then he trusts us to manage those resources and give them back to him so that the kingdom increases. That's why the father keeps blessing us with stuff that we may take our things the stuff and bless other people with it.”

“Because God does not anticipate us being stingy. He anticipates us being generous, being willing hearts. And so here's three things to remind us about the whole idea of trust being given to us. First of all, it's an act of disciplehip and trust. Each one of us has been entrusted with the life of Jesus Christ in us as we have said Lord yes to him.”

“Then good disciplehip and good stewardship cannot be separated because if I am a good disciple then I'm going to be a good steward. If I'm going to take care of the things the father has asked me to do then I'm going to be a good disciple. Those two are cannot be separated.”

“If you sow a little bit, you expect a little bit. But if you sow generously, if you sow big, you can't you will you will reap a bigger crop. And that's what he's saying here. Don't take this little thing and expect something big out of it. Because when we sow, we must do three things.”

“I sow because father I am trusting you. And it's he runs this whole idea throughout this entire passage. The second thing is you must wait in patience. Holy smoke in the morning. Remember when this began this whole injury piece? I sent out, you know, prayer letters and things and forgive me for not doing more, but I sent them out. And one of the things was to learn what the father wanted me to learn through this. I got to tell you, patience. Patience.”

“Patience is the idea of being still before the father and trusting him to do his work in us. The next part of patience is this. You can only gather what you have sown. That happens fiscally, that happens spiritually, that happens emotionally. I can only gather those things. So Paul is helping us to understand here how he wants us to sew.”

“When I sow in patience, I am waiting for the father to do his work in and through me- because of what the father has given me because he has given to me bountifully. He has given to me beyond what I need. And so then as I manage that as a steward, I give to the father bountifully per more than what I expect to receive.”

“Each person should give what they have decided in their heart, not to give reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. And we look at that verse and go, "Yeah, God wants to give." No, let's again look at what he is saying to us because he's talking about what is happening inside of our hearts.”

“What's the idea here? Someone who's giving out of a cheerful heart. Someone who's saying, "Yes, Lord, because of my relationship with you. I thought this through. I want to be magnanimous in my giving. I want to give because not just there's a need or I see the vision. I want to give, Father, because people need to know you."”

“God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Now, we're going to stay on this verse for a second because it sounds like double talk. Amen. Go ahead, say it. What's he he's repeating? Remember, when the Bible repeats something, it's a way of underlining it. Pay attention here.”

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