Disciples, Not Donors

Luke 11:33-42; 16:13-14 | Justin Reed | March 2, 2025

  • Fewer sins are as deep-rooted and hard to detect as greed. Not many of us would admit to being greedy or materialistic, but greed, by default, lives inside each one of us. Jesus makes this clear in Luke 11 when he confronts the Pharisees who hid their greed from others and projected generosity instead. While they appeared holy and generous on the outside, Jesus calls out their inner attachment to money. A few chapters later, Jesus makes his criticism of greed even more clear: to ignore the greed that lives inside all of us makes it impossible to truly love God and others. To Jesus, greed is a poison. And yet, Jesus offers us a solution. The only antidote to the invisible poison of greed is the visible practice of generosity. Our goal is to become disciples, not donors, who practice generosity as a way to keep our greed away from our souls. We redirect our worship towards God by holding our money and wealth so loosely that we give freely, because we trust in the God of abundance.

  • Introduction

    Our mission as a church is to lead others to become fully devoted followers of Christ. But true followers of Jesus don’t just admire Him—they reorient their lives around His ways, even when it’s uncomfortable or countercultural.

    Following Jesus Means Reorienting Our Lives

    • Jesus was all about relationships—with His Father, believers, and those who didn’t know Him.

    • As followers, we are called to connect with God, grow in community, and share the gospel just like Jesus did.

    • If we claim to follow Jesus but refuse to change in the areas He calls us to, we aren’t truly following—we’re just admiring.

    A Key Indicator of Spiritual Growth: Generosity

    • Jesus taught about generosity in one out of every four of His messages.

    • The church should not avoid talking about generosity—it’s a discipleship issue, not a financial one.

    • Generosity is transformative but often difficult. It requires us to trust God and let go of fear.

    Jesus’ Vision for Money

    • Money itself isn’t evil—but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

    • Jesus never condemned having wealth—He warned against allowing money to control our hearts.

    • Generosity frees us from greed, fear, and the illusion that money provides true security.

    The Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset

    • A scarcity mindset fears there isn’t enough, leading to hoarding and anxiety.

    • An abundance mindset trusts that God provides, allowing generosity to flow freely.

    • Jesus challenges us to live with a healthy view of money, freeing us from fear.

    Jesus Confronts the Pharisees’ Hypocrisy

    • The Pharisees focused on external rituals while their hearts were full of greed and selfishness.

    • Jesus used an illustration of a dirty cup—clean on the outside, but rotten inside.

    • True generosity isn’t just about giving money; it’s about trusting God and loving others.

    Greed: The Invisible Poison

    • Greed is sneaky. It blinds us, making us think we don’t struggle with it.

    • We often justify greed, calling it “financial security” or “success.”

    • Jesus exposes greed because it corrupts our hearts and shapes how we see the world.

    You Cannot Serve Both God and Money (Luke 16:13)

    • Jesus teaches that it is impossible to serve both God and money.

    • Money is not just a resource—it competes for our worship.

    • The antidote to greed is generosity—not just as an action, but as a way of life.

    Generosity as a Discipleship Practice

    • Generosity is not incidental—it’s central to following Jesus.

    • Donors do generous things; disciples are generous people.

    • The Pharisees gave, but without faith or sacrifice—it was just a transaction.

    • True generosity is a reflection of trust in God, not just an outward action.

    Freedom in Generosity

    • Science confirms Jesus’ words: generous people are happier, healthier, and less anxious.

    • Generosity shapes our hearts and frees us from materialism.

    • Justin Reed shares his personal journey of learning to trust God through giving.

    Final Challenge

    • Are you doing generous things, or are you a generous person?

    • Has greed unknowingly taken root in your heart?

    • How is God calling you to live generously today?

Group Guide

What are you looking forward to the most as we engage with this practice?

  1. What are you the most anxious about as we engage with this practice?

  2. How would you assess your current level of generosity? Do you consider yourself a generous person, or as someone who occasionally does generous things? How would you describe the difference?

Greed Check: A Heart Inventory

Greed is one of the most subtle yet powerful forces in our lives. It rarely announces itself—instead, it sneaks in quietly, shaping the way we think about money, security, and possessions without us even realizing it.

Most of us wouldn’t call ourselves greedy, yet Jesus warns again and again about money’s power to blind us and pull our hearts away from Him.

Before we jump into the practical steps of generosity, budgeting, and tithing, let’s take time to ask God to search our hearts.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23-24

This week, we challenge you to set aside 10–20 minutes for reflection.

• Find a quiet space.

• Bring your Bible or a journal if you’d like.

• Ask God to reveal any hidden greed and invite Him to reshape your heart.

Start with one prayer at a time. Read the question, then pause—give yourself time to sit with it. Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and any resistance that rises up.

1. What Am I Holding Too Tightly?

Father, have I placed my trust in money instead of You? What am I clinging to that makes me feel secure? What do I feel anxious about losing?

2. Is My Spending Reflecting My Faith?

Lord Jesus, does my spending show that I trust You? Have I convinced myself that “I don’t have enough to give” while keeping spending habits that ensure I never have enough to give?

3. What Have I Declared Off-Limits to You?

Holy Spirit, is there anything in my life that I refuse to surrender? If I listed out everything You’ve entrusted to me—my home, my car, my savings, my time—what would I be unwilling to release?

As you reflect, don’t rush through this. Let God search your heart and gently show you where He’s inviting you into freedom.

Generosity isn’t just about money—it’s about trust.

What is God asking you to trust Him with today?

Share Our Stories

The Generosity Table

March 23

We’re coming together for The Generosity Table, a special gathering where we’ll share a meal, celebrate what God has done, and commit ourselves to living open-handed for His kingdom.

This isn’t a fundraiser or a stewardship banquet—it’s a family moment to reflect on how generosity has shaped our lives and the lives of those around us. One of the most powerful ways we grow in generosity is by sharing our stories—testimonies of how giving, receiving, and trusting God have transformed us.

Do you have a story of generosity? Whether it’s a moment where God provided, a step of faith in giving, or how generosity impacted your life, we’d love for you to share it! Let us know by filling out this form.