#1533. God’s will is that we are generous (10/6/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our Stewardship series.
This week we are reflecting on how God wants us to steward our finances.
Generosity is an important fruit of understanding God's grace; it transforms us from accumulators into conduits of His blessings.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.’ (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Martin Luther, famously said two things about our use of money:
“There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, the mind, and the purse (or wallet).” (Martin Luther)
I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess. (Martin Luther)
This week, as we’ve explored the stewardship of our resources, we first recognised that God is the provider of everything we have. Second, we saw that honest work is the primary vehicle He uses to provide for us. Today, in our final devotion on this vital subject, we turn our attention to how we use our money—specifically, the joy and duty of giving it away.
1. Generosity is inspired by God’s greater generosity
Have you ever had a blocked gutter at your house? When it rains, instead of flowing safely into the drainage system, the water overflows, spilling down the walls and causing damage.
The exact same thing can happen to our generosity. Instead of being clear conduits through which the Holy Spirit can bless others, our hearts get clogged by greed, fear, or worldly distractions, causing us to hoard or waste the resources God has entrusted to us.
To clear this blockage and become free-flowing conduits of God's generosity, we must first be utterly convinced of His love and ability to provide. The Apostle Paul pointed directly to the ultimate example of sacrifice to inspire this kind of overflowing generosity in the early church:
‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.’ (2 Corinthians 8:9)
It is only when we truly grasp the overwhelming grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are set free. His perfect love breaks through our fear of lack, releasing us into a life of trusting, sacrificial generosity.
Colin Baron wrote:
‘God’s abundant generosity provides fuel for ours.’ (Colin Baron, Multiplanting)
2. Generosity requires a practical step of faith
Recently, Lucy from our church shared a wonderful message about how we are to steward God’s spiritual gifts. She used a powerful analogy drawn from the story of Elisha and the widow's oil in 2 Kings 4. Remember, the miracle didn't happen while the widow sat and looked at her near-empty jar; it happened when she stepped out in faith and actively began to pour.
To steward anything well requires us to tip the jar and start pouring - it demands a real, practical step of faith-action.
When it comes to our finances, what does tipping your jar look like? How will you take a tangible step of action today?
Will you set up a consistent standing order to tithe to the church?
Will you intentionally create a dedicated ‘giving account’ in your monthly budget, setting aside a specific amount purely to bless others?
Paul challenged the Corinthian church to move past good intentions and get practical with their generosity:
‘Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.’ (8 Corinthians 8:11)
Head knowledge is not true kingdom knowledge until it is transformed into a faith-response. Does our professed trust in the love and provision of God actually lead us to take a practical risk with our generosity?
Response
Generosity is the ultimate proof that we understand God's grace; it transforms us from accumulators into conduits of His blessings.
As you reflect on today's devotional, take a moment to honestly examine your heart before God:
Are you ‘blocked up’? Are fear, greed, or lack of discipline causing you to hoard or waste the financial resources that God has provided?
Are you an ‘unblocked conduit’? Are you living in the secure reality of His great love, His infinite power, and His desire to flow through you to bless the church and others?
Finally, let's get deeply practical about our local church community. Our church - Community Church Putney (or your own local church if you are joining us from elsewhere) - relies entirely on the faithful, prayerful giving of its members to fund its mission and ministry.
How is the Holy Spirit asking you to be a conduit of His provision for the running of His church today? Let's move past eager willingness and step into joyful completion.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued with our Stewardship series, reflecting on the important and challenging subject of stewarding the money that God has entrusted to us.
Please read Matthew 6:33 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." What does this practically look like when applied to how we steward our money?
According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what is the core difference between false hope and true hope? Why is it so easy to accidentally anchor our security in wealth rather than in God?
Looking closely at 1 Timothy, what are the different reasons and purposes for which God provides us with material resources?
What does God promise to those who listen to His wisdom and faithfully steward their money? What kind of "life" or "treasure" is being stored up? (See also Matthew 6:19-21).
Reflecting on today's discussion, is there a practical change, habit, or specific response you need to make this week regarding your stewardship?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study - Provision, wisdom, direction… in regard to money.
Bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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