Trusting God: Abundance Through Generosity and Love
Summary
Happy Easter! This weekend is filled with joy and gratitude as we celebrate not only the resurrection of Jesus but also the milestones within our parish—our seminarian Darren completing his assignment and our young people receiving their First Communion. These moments remind us that Jesus is alive and moving powerfully among us, inviting us into deeper relationship and trust.
Reflecting on the Gospel, we see the risen Jesus meeting the disciples on the shore after a fruitless night of fishing. Their efforts alone yield nothing, but at Jesus’ word, their nets overflow. This scene echoes the first call of the disciples and highlights a profound truth: apart from Christ, our efforts are empty, but with Him, abundance flows. When Peter encounters Jesus by the charcoal fire—the same setting where he once denied Him—Jesus gently restores Peter, asking three times about his love. The conversation in Greek reveals the depth of this exchange: Jesus asks for agape, sacrificial love, but Peter can only offer philia, brotherly love. Jesus meets Peter where he is, not where he “should” be, and calls him forward from that place.
This encounter is a model for our own lives. God does not demand more than we can give; rather, He meets us in our weakness and invites us to trust Him. This is especially true in the area of stewardship and giving. All that we have—our abilities, our jobs, our resources—are gifts from God. The biblical call to tithe is not about money itself, but about the posture of our hearts. God asks for our first fruits, not leftovers, as a sign of trust that He is our provider.
Whether we can give much or little, what matters is the openness of our hearts. Like the boy with five loaves and two fish, or the widow with her two coins, God multiplies what we offer in faith. The diocesan appeal is an opportunity to practice this trust, to give as we are able, and to witness God’s blessing multiplied in our parish and beyond. The invitation is not to give out of guilt or obligation, but out of a desire to participate in God’s generosity and to grow in freedom. As we open our hearts to give, we also open ourselves to receive the blessings God longs to pour out.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus meets us where we are, not where we wish we were. In the story of Peter, Jesus does not shame him for his inability to offer agape love, but instead accepts the love Peter can give and gently calls him forward. This reveals God’s patient, personal approach with each of us, inviting us to grow from our current place rather than demanding perfection. [18:40]
- True stewardship begins with recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. Our abilities, opportunities, and resources are not ultimately our own, but entrusted to us by a loving Father. This perspective shifts our giving from obligation to gratitude, and helps us hold our possessions with open hands. [28:10]
- The act of tithing is less about the amount and more about the heart. God asks for our first fruits as a sign of trust, not because He needs our money, but because He desires our hearts. When we surrender even a small portion, we declare our dependence on God’s provision and invite Him to be Lord over every area of our lives. [32:00]
- God multiplies what we offer, no matter how small. The story of the boy with five loaves and two fish reminds us that God can take our limited resources and use them for extraordinary purposes. Our willingness to give, even when it feels insignificant, opens the door for God’s abundance to bless others and ourselves. [38:00]
- Generosity is a journey that often stretches us beyond our comfort zones. God may invite us to give more than feels safe, not to burden us, but to teach us deeper trust in His faithfulness. As we respond to His promptings, we discover that He provides for us in every circumstance and that true freedom comes from surrender. [44:00]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Farewell to Seminarian Darren
[02:00] - Celebrating First Communions
[03:00] - Diocesan Appeal Introduction
[05:00] - Parish Giving Goals and Impact
[07:30] - The Gospel: Jesus on the Shore
[10:00] - Peter’s Encounter with Jesus
[13:30] - The Charcoal Fire: Restoration and Healing
[16:00] - Agape vs. Philia: The Language of Love
[20:00] - God Meets Us Where We Are
[23:00] - Stewardship: Everything is a Gift
[27:00] - The Heart of Tithing
[31:00] - Giving as Trust, Not Obligation
[35:00] - The Miracle of Multiplication
[40:00] - Generosity and God’s Blessing
[45:00] - Prayer for Generosity and Trust
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jesus Meets Us Where We Are—Trust, Generosity, and God’s Abundance
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### Bible Reading
1. John 21:1-19 – Jesus appears to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, the miraculous catch of fish, and Peter’s restoration by the charcoal fire.
2. John 6:1-14 – The feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
3. Mark 12:41-44 – The widow’s offering of two small coins.
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 21, what did the disciples experience after fishing all night, and what changed when they listened to Jesus?
2. How did Jesus interact with Peter by the charcoal fire, and what was significant about the questions He asked? [16:00]
3. In the story of the feeding of the five thousand, who brought the loaves and fish, and what did Jesus do with them?
4. What did Jesus say about the widow’s offering in Mark 12, and how did it compare to the gifts of others?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times about his love, and why did He use different Greek words for “love”? What does this reveal about how Jesus relates to us? [16:00]
2. The sermon says, “Apart from Christ, our efforts are empty, but with Him, abundance flows.” How does this truth show up in the story of the disciples fishing and in our own lives? [10:00]
3. The pastor mentioned that God asks for our “first fruits” and not our leftovers. What does this mean about our priorities and trust in God? [27:00]
4. How does the story of the boy with five loaves and two fish encourage us when we feel like we have little to offer? [35:00]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says Jesus meets us where we are, not where we wish we were. Is there an area in your life where you feel like you “should” be further along? How might Jesus be inviting you to trust Him right where you are? [18:40]
2. When it comes to giving—whether time, money, or talents—do you tend to give God your “first fruits” or your leftovers? What would it look like to give God your best in a specific area this week? [27:00]
3. The pastor shared that even small gifts, like the widow’s coins or the boy’s lunch, matter to God. Is there something small you feel led to offer to God right now? What’s holding you back? [38:00]
4. Have you ever felt that what you have to give isn’t enough to make a difference? How does the idea that God multiplies what we offer change your perspective? [38:00]
5. The sermon talked about generosity stretching us beyond our comfort zones. Is there a way you sense God asking you to step out in faith with your giving or service? What fears or hesitations do you have, and how can you bring them to God? [44:00]
6. The pastor said, “God does not demand more than we can give; rather, He meets us in our weakness and invites us to trust Him.” Where do you need to trust God more with your resources or abilities? [20:00]
7. Think about a time when you gave something (money, time, encouragement) and saw God use it in a way you didn’t expect. How did that experience impact your faith or your willingness to give again? [35:00]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open hearts, trust in God’s provision, and the courage to give generously—no matter how big or small the gift.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
Jesus meets us in our weakness and limitations, not with condemnation but with understanding and love. When Peter, humbled by his past denial, could only offer Jesus a lesser love than he once promised, Jesus did not reject him but instead met him at that level, inviting him to follow and grow. In our own lives, we may feel inadequate or unable to give as much as we wish—whether in love, service, or generosity—but Jesus receives what we can offer and gently calls us forward. He knows our hearts and desires to walk with us, transforming our small offerings into something beautiful. [07:40]
John 21:15-19 (ESV)
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel unable to offer God your “best,” and how might you let Jesus meet you there today with compassion and invitation?
Day 2: God Owns Everything—We Are Stewards
Everything we have—our money, abilities, and opportunities—ultimately comes from God, who entrusts them to us as gifts to steward. Our capacity to work, to earn, and even to enjoy life is not something we possess by right, but something given by a loving Father. Recognizing this truth shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship, inviting us to hold our resources with open hands and a grateful heart. When we acknowledge that all we have belongs to God, we are freed from anxiety and possessiveness, and can joyfully return a portion to Him in trust and worship. [15:10]
Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
Reflection: What is one area of your life—finances, time, or talent—where you need to remember that you are a steward, not an owner, and how can you act on that truth today?
Day 3: Giving the First Fruits—A Heart Posture of Trust
God asks us to give Him the first and best of what we receive, not the leftovers, as an act of trust and worship. Tithing is not about the money itself, but about the posture of our hearts—do we believe that God is our provider, and are we willing to entrust a portion back to Him? When we give our first fruits, we declare our dependence on God and our faith that He will continue to provide for our needs. This act of surrender opens us to receive His blessings and to participate in His generosity, both for ourselves and for others. [19:30]
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 would it look like for you to give God your “first fruits” this week—whether in finances, time, or attention—and how can you take a concrete step toward that?
Day 4: God Multiplies What We Offer, No Matter How Small
God delights in taking the little we can offer and multiplying it for the good of many. Just as Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish offered by a boy, He takes our gifts—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant—and uses them to bless others and advance His kingdom. The value of our gift is not measured by its size, but by the willingness and faith with which it is given. When we trust God with what we have, He is able to do far more than we could imagine, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us. [27:00]
John 6:8-13 (ESV)
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
Reflection: What is one “small” gift—of time, money, or encouragement—you can offer to God today, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes?
Day 5: Generosity Opens Us to God’s Blessing
A generous heart is open to God’s blessing, while a closed or fearful heart can miss out on the abundance God desires to give. When we give—even when it feels uncomfortable or sacrificial—we position ourselves to receive more of God’s presence, provision, and joy. Generosity is not about buying God’s favor, but about aligning our hearts with His own generous nature. As we step out in faith, giving what He asks, we discover that He is faithful to provide and to use our gifts to bless others and ourselves in ways we could not have foreseen. [34:20]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (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. 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.
Reflection: Is there an area where God is prompting you to give more generously or sacrificially? What step of faith can you take this week to open your heart to His blessing?
Quotes
The Lord always takes us back to the place of pain in order to bring forth healing. So notice what happens though in this interaction. Jesus says Peter do you love me more than these? Now the wording, we may have heard this part, the word in Greek for love, they have three different words. We only have love, right? I love my mom, I love my wife, I love my ice cream, I love it all, but I love it all the same apparently because I only have one word for it. [00:00:07] (29 seconds)
No, that's not true. I don't love ice cream like I love my wife or hopefully you don't. I don't love ice cream like I love my mom, hopefully you don't. We have different loves and the Greeks use different words for it and the two words that are used here are agape, everybody say agape, which means unconditional, I'm willing to die for you kind of love and that's the word that Peter uses or suggests to use at the Holy Thursday night. [00:00:07] (28 seconds)
I love you like a friend and then Jesus asks a third time but what he asks this time is listen he says Simon son of John do you philia me and Simon Peter says to him Lord you know everything and it says he becomes distressed. Why? Because he asked the third time yes but also because the Lord shifted, the Lord met him where he was at and he says Lord you know that I philia you, you know that I love you and he says follow me. [00:05:49] (41 seconds)
But he gives me more than I can handle because it causes me to trust him, to lean upon him, to ask him for help because he wants to help you, he wants to help me. But the Lord meets us where we're at. Now your money, the money that you have in your, in your bank account at home, in your sack drawer or your freezer, wherever you hide your money, I've been in your house, I'm not looking for it, all right, whatever you have with your money, that money doesn't really belong to you. [00:05:49] (33 seconds)
You're like well I earned my money, sure, but your capacity to work to earn the money has come from God, amen? Like your ability, think about this, as we get older we lose our ability to do things that we love even, right? Or, or to run or to walk or to jump, we lose those abilities, which like yeah of course that's, that's the, the happening, happening of a human body, but not for every person. So God has allowed me in this season of my life to do work that allows me to earn money. [00:05:49] (31 seconds)
So my, even my job is a gift from the Lord and the money that I have doesn't really belong to me, it belongs to him. Now when, when I receive money from a, a job that I've done or a gift from someone, then I have, I have a responsibility to, to steward that well. Let's say I receive a hundred dollars, what does, what does the Lord ask for? He asks for ten percent of that hundred dollars, which is how much? Ten dollars, right? All right, so you tithe ten percent. [00:05:49] (37 seconds)
Yeah, we're like the opposite of Tom Cruise, right? It's like show me the money, no, it's not about the money, it's about the heart posture that I have towards the Lord. Do I believe that God is a God who provides for me? So I am trusting, entrusting back to him 10 of what he gives me. So if I give, if he gives me a hundred dollars through my work or through a gift and I give him 10, how much money does that leave me with? 90 dollars. Whoa, God loves you so much he gives you 100, all he asks for 10 and he gives you back 90. [00:09:06] (35 seconds)
That's his family's meal for lunch but imagine the exchange that he had with his family like can I give this to Jesus, he's looking for it and they say we love, we love you go ahead and do it and so he gives it to Jesus and what does Jesus do he blesses it he breaks it he gives it back and he multiplies it. [00:12:35] (24 seconds)
So even as you're as you're thinking about like how much can I give the Lord is going to take whatever you give and he's going to bless it break it and multiply it to bless the people of this parish and the whole diocese when we give the Lord blesses but notice from scripture that Jesus will meet you where you're at so if you're like I can only give fifty dollars now the enemy is going to come in and say don't even worry about it no fifty dollars isn't going to make a difference don't worry about it it's not about whether it on the facade money we have a facade with money like doesn't make a difference it's not about the facade of money the financial facade it's about the internal heart that the Lord sees what I give and how I give. [00:12:55] (51 seconds)
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