Trusting God: The Heart of Generous Stewardship
Summary
Generous stewardship is not about starting with ourselves—our budgets, our giving, or our efforts—but about starting with God. God is not just first in order; He is first in supremacy and best in worth. Everything in our lives should flow from this reality. When we put anything else—our jobs, families, possessions, or even good intentions—before God, we end up stuck, out of alignment with the way we were created to live. The call is to recognize that God is the source, the foundation, and the lens through which we see all of life.
Scripture reveals that God is not only first and best, but He also gives His first and best to us. Before we ever loved Him, He loved us. Before we ever gave, He gave—most supremely in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is not a transactional relationship where we give to get; it is a response to the overwhelming generosity of God. The blessings He gives are not merely material, but eternal—spiritual blessings that cannot be taken away, treasures that last forever.
Our response, then, is to reflect God’s character by giving our first and best back to Him. This is not about legalistic tithing or giving out of guilt, but about joyful, cheerful generosity that mirrors the heart of God. Just as we would never give our loved ones leftovers, we are called to honor God with the first fruits of our time, talent, and treasure. This is an act of trust, believing that God’s design is good and that He will provide for us as we put Him first.
Trust is at the heart of generous stewardship. We often trust God with the big things—the sun, the sea, the land—but hesitate to trust Him with our finances and possessions. Yet, God invites us to trust Him fully, to seek His kingdom first, and to believe that everything else will be added in His way and timing. The question is not just about what or how much we give, but whether we truly trust God as our good Father, who has already given us everything in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- God is not just first in order, but first in supremacy and best in worth. He is the foundation and lens for all of life, not just another priority on our list. When anything else takes His place, our lives become misaligned and ultimately unfulfilling. True stewardship begins with recognizing God’s preeminence in all things. [10:40]
- God’s generosity precedes our own. He loved us first, gave to us first, and did not withhold His best—His own Son. Our giving is always a response to His initiating love and grace, not a means to earn His favor or blessings. This truth frees us from guilt and compulsion, inviting us into joyful participation in His generosity. [19:36]
- The blessings God gives are not primarily material, but eternal and spiritual. While the world may define “best” in terms of wealth or possessions, God’s best is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore in His presence. These are treasures that cannot be lost, stolen, or diminished, and they anchor our hope beyond the temporary. [21:16]
- Giving our first and best to God is an act of trust and worship, not mere obligation. Just as we would not offer leftovers to those we love most, we are called to honor God with the first fruits of our lives. This reflects His character and demonstrates our trust in His provision and design, even when it challenges our comfort or logic. [25:10]
- Trusting God with our finances and possessions is often the hardest test of faith. We may trust Him with the universe, but hesitate with our wallets. Yet, God’s invitation is to trust Him fully, believing that as we seek Him first, He will care for every need. Generous stewardship is ultimately about trusting the heart of our good Father, who has already given us everything in Christ. [35:14]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:57] - Teaching Idioms in Germany
[03:15] - Rethinking Generous Stewardship
[04:48] - The Problem of Guilt and Misplaced Priorities
[05:54] - The Consequences of Putting God Second
[07:09] - Practicing Bible Study Together
[10:40] - God Is First and Best
[11:54] - God’s Supremacy and Preeminence
[15:01] - God’s Glory: More Than His Works
[17:50] - God Gives First and Best
[19:36] - The True Nature of God’s Gifts
[21:16] - Eternal Blessings in Christ
[23:16] - Our Response: Giving First and Best
[25:10] - Leftovers vs. First Fruits
[28:45] - New Testament Generosity and Cheerful Giving
[31:42] - Reflecting God’s Generosity
[35:14] - Trusting God’s Design
[40:13] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Generous Stewardship—Starting with God
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### Bible Reading
Colossians 1:15-18 (ESV)
> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-18, what words or phrases are used to describe Jesus’ position in creation and the church? What does “preeminent” mean in this context?
2. In the sermon, what are some examples given of things people might put before God in their lives? ([05:54])
3. What does the sermon say is the difference between giving God our “leftovers” and giving Him our “first and best”? ([25:10])
4. How does the sermon describe the kind of blessings God gives us in Christ? Are they mainly material or something else? ([21:16])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that Jesus is “before all things” and “the firstborn” in Colossians 1? What does this teach us about God’s place in our lives?
2. The sermon says that God is not just first in order, but first in worth and supremacy. How does this change the way we think about our priorities? ([10:40])
3. The pastor mentions that God’s generosity is not transactional, but a response to His love. How does this challenge the way people often think about giving or tithing? ([19:36])
4. Why do you think trusting God with our finances and possessions is often harder than trusting Him with other areas of life, like the sun or the sea? ([35:14])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon asks, “What is first and best in your life?” Take a look at your calendar or bank statement—what does it reveal about your true priorities? ([15:59])
2. The pastor shared a story about giving his wife the best portion of a meal, not the leftovers. In what areas of your life are you tempted to give God your leftovers instead of your first and best? ([25:10])
3. God’s blessings in Christ are described as “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore.” How does focusing on eternal blessings rather than material ones affect your attitude toward generosity? ([21:16])
4. The sermon says that giving should be cheerful and not out of guilt or compulsion. When you think about giving—whether time, talent, or treasure—do you feel joy or pressure? Why? ([28:45])
5. The pastor pointed out that we often trust God with the big things in creation but hesitate to trust Him with our money. What is one step you could take this week to trust God more fully with your finances or possessions? ([35:14])
6. The sermon challenges us to reflect God’s character by being generous. Who in your life could benefit from your generosity this week, and what is one practical way you could bless them?
7. If you struggle to trust that God will provide when you put Him first, what is one promise from Scripture you can hold onto and pray over this week? ([40:13])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for hearts that trust God’s design, to see Him as first and best, and to respond with joyful generosity in every area of life.
Devotional
Day 1: God Is First and Best
God is not just first in order, but first in supremacy—He is preeminent over all creation, the foundation and lens through which every other priority in life is seen. When we recognize that God is not simply at the top of our list, but is the very paper we write our list on, it transforms how we view everything else: our time, our resources, our relationships, and our purpose. Nothing and no one can rival His greatness, and anything we put before Him will ultimately leave us stuck and unsatisfied. Is God truly first and best in your life, or have other things taken His place? [10:40]
Colossians 1:15-18 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have put something before God? How can you intentionally put God first in that area today?
Day 2: God Gives His First and Best
God’s generosity is not reactive but proactive—He loved us first and gave us His first and best, His own Son, before we ever did anything for Him. This love is not based on our performance or our giving, but on His character; He initiates, and we respond. The gifts God gives are not just material, but eternal—every spiritual blessing in Christ, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore. When we understand that God’s giving is always first and best, it changes how we receive and how we give. [19:36]
1 John 4:10, 19 (ESV)
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
We love because he first loved us.
Reflection: In what ways have you struggled to believe that God’s love and generosity come before your own efforts? How can you rest in His initiating love today?
Day 3: Our Response—Giving Our First and Best
If God is first and best, and He gives His first and best, then our response is to reflect Him by giving our first and best—not our leftovers. Just as we wouldn’t offer the scraps of a meal to someone we love, we are called to honor God with the first portion of our time, talents, and treasures. This is not about legalism or compulsion, but about joyful, intentional worship that mirrors God’s own generosity. Giving our first and best is a tangible way to declare that God is truly preeminent in our lives. [27:35]
Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.
Reflection: What would it look like for you to give God the “firstfruits” of your resources this week—whether time, talent, or treasure—instead of what’s left over?
Day 4: Cheerful Generosity Reflects God’s Heart
God desires that our giving be cheerful and grace-driven, not reluctant or under compulsion. True generosity flows from understanding who God is and what He has done for us, not from guilt or obligation. When we give with joy, we reflect the very heart of God, whose love moves Him to action. Our generosity becomes a testimony to the world of God’s character, showing that we trust Him and value Him above all else. [31:42]
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 specific way you can give cheerfully this week—how can you make your generosity an act of joyful worship rather than a reluctant duty?
Day 5: Trusting God’s Design with Everything
We often trust God with the big things—creation, the ocean, the sun—but hesitate to trust Him with our money and possessions. Yet, God calls us to trust His design in every area, including our finances, believing that when we seek Him first, everything else will fall into place. The challenge is not just about giving, but about trusting that God is a good Father who will provide and care for us as we honor Him with our first and best. Will you trust Him fully, even with what feels most vulnerable? [38:55]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to trust God more fully with your finances or possessions, believing that He will provide as you put Him first?
Quotes
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