Developing A Generous Heart In A Grasping World (sermon Blog)
Series Recap:
In the final message of our Restoration series, Pastor Steve challenged us to look at one of the most practical and revealing areas of our lives: generosity. Living in a culture driven by consumption and comparison, God invites us into a different way of living—one marked by open hands instead of clenched fists. Restoration is not only about what God does in us, but also about what He does through us as we reflect His generous heart. 0125
What Does It Mean to Be a Steward?
Pastor Steve began by explaining the biblical idea of stewardship.
A steward is:
Someone entrusted with something that belongs to another
Responsible for caring for what’s been placed in their hands
Everything we have—our money, possessions, time, and opportunities—has ultimately been entrusted to us by God. We don’t own it all; we manage it on His behalf.
God wants to bless us, and He even wants us to enjoy what He gives. But as He blesses us, He also calls us to reflect His generosity.
The Problem with a Grasping World
Our culture constantly tells us:
“Get more.”
“Upgrade.”
“You deserve this.”
This creates an insatiable desire for stuff. Over time, we begin to believe:
“This is my house.”
“This is my money.”
“This is my life.”
But Scripture reminds us that we are not owners—we are stewards. And unchecked desire can slowly turn blessing into bondage.
The Myth: More Money = More Security
Pastor Steve addressed a common assumption:
“If I just had more money, most of my problems would go away.”
But Scripture—and experience—tell a different story:
There are generous people with little
There are greedy people with much
Wealth does not equal financial or spiritual health
The real question isn’t how much we have, but how we relate to what we have.
Jesus’ Warning About Greed
In Luke 12:13–21, Jesus tells the story of a rich man with an incredibly successful harvest.
The man’s plan:
Tear down his barns
Build bigger ones
Secure his future
“Eat, drink, and be merry”
On the surface, it looks like wisdom. But God exposes the man’s heart.
Jesus warns:
“Life is not measured by how much you own.”
The problem wasn’t wealth—it was self-centeredness.
Why God Took the Situation So Seriously
Pastor Steve unpacked why God responded so strongly:
The man gave God no credit for his blessing
He considered no one else in his planning
His self-talk was filled with “I,” “me,” and “my”
He trusted wealth to give him security and time
In the end, his wealth couldn’t save him.
“A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Being rich toward God means being generous toward others.
Perspective Changes Everything
Pastor Steve challenged us to rethink what it means to be “rich.”
When viewed globally:
Many Americans are wealthier than much of the world
Clean water, housing, transportation, food, and healthcare are luxuries elsewhere
Instead of asking, “Why don’t I have more?”
We might need to ask, “Why do I have so much?”
The Danger of a Scarcity Mentality
A scarcity mindset says:
“There won’t be enough.”
“I need to hold on tighter.”
“I’ll give later.”
But generosity loosens fear’s grip.
Pastor Steve shared that the more he opened his hands, the more his fear diminished. Generosity doesn’t just bless others—it restores the giver.
A Powerful Picture: The Monkey Trap
Pastor Steve shared a vivid illustration:
A monkey reaches into a coconut to grab fruit
His clenched fist won’t let him pull his hand out
Freedom is available—but only if he lets go
The question for us:
What is your coconut?
What are you holding so tightly that it’s costing you freedom?
“In Giving, We Gain”
A phrase worth remembering:
In giving, we gain.
In grasping, we lose.
Generosity reflects God’s heart and aligns us with His purposes.
Paul reminds us:
“Teach those who are rich… not to trust in their money, but in God… and to be generous and ready to share.” — 1 Timothy 6:17–18
Practical Ways to Grow a Generous Heart
Pastor Steve closed with tangible, everyday steps toward generosity:
1. Give From a Grateful Heart
Remember what God has already done
Support what breaks your heart
2. Give Systematically, Not Emotionally
Decide ahead of time
Give intentionally and consistently
Start with a percentage if needed
3. Fight Scarcity With Trust
Don’t let fear or media drive decisions
Remember: generosity is always in style
4. Practice Everyday Generosity
Pay for someone’s meal or coffee
Be a good tipper
Simplify so you can give more
Give away what you’re not using
Consider serving or going on a mission trip
Generosity grows when it becomes a lifestyle, not a one-time act.
A Question to Reflect On
As we close the Restoration series, consider this:
What is your next step toward developing a more generous heart this year?
God’s generosity toward us has no limits—and He invites us to reflect that same generosity in a grasping world.
✨ Our new series, History, begins next week!
Join us as we explore powerful stories from the book of Genesis and discover how God has been at work from the very beginning.