God is Faithful

My Giving Journey · Luke 14:28-33 · November 1, 2026

It’s not how much you give to God. It’s how much of His you keep.

Years ago, with GV Christian’s first building half finished, the money ran out. Unless $50,000 was in the account by the next day, construction would stop. Sitting on an upturned bucket on a bare cement floor, Pastor Gary felt discouraged, until the Holy Spirit asked: Whose church is it? In that moment came a release of ownership, and peace. The next morning a pastor from another state, knowing nothing of the need, called and asked, “Do you know anybody that could use $50,000?”

Jesus told a story about exactly that kind of building: “Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” (Luke 14:28). Then He makes a surprising pivot: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own” (Luke 14:33).

This series isn’t about money. Jesus talked about money and possessions often because He knows how important they are to us, and His challenge is to change the way we think about them. Most of us are asking, “Will there be enough for me?” Jesus points to the birds and the flowers and reminds us how much more valuable we are to the Father (Matthew 6:26–30). He also warns that “what this world honors is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).

Three ways God changes how we think

1. Ownership. “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Who gave you the ability to work? God has nothing against possessions. He “richly provides us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17), yet “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). Generosity unlocks the ownership myth: it’s not how much of our money we give to God, but how much of His we keep for ourselves. We were made to be a flowing river, not a stagnant pond.

2. Management. Manage your time, your emotions and your money, or they will manage you. “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks” (Proverbs 27:23), because “the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). We are simply stewards of what God has given us.

3. Financial security and freedom. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). Never let your net worth determine your self-worth. “Whoever loves money never has enough” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Real security is trusting God’s provision, and real freedom is freedom from excessive worry about money.

The 10-10-80 plan

God is above every economic cycle. Like Joseph preparing Egypt for famine (Genesis 41), He is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Here’s a simple place to start:

Give to the Lord first: 10%. Tomorrow never comes, so start today. If 10% feels impossible, start somewhere, even 1% or 2%, before you pay any bill. Save some for tomorrow: 10%. “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20). Enjoy the rest: 80%, with God’s blessing on it, living below your means.

In the end, this is bigger than money. It’s about trusting Jesus with our lives and finding the freedom only He gives: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Life Group questions

Getting to Know You

  1. If you were blessed with unlimited money and resources, how would you choose to manage it?

Diggin’ Deeper

As a community, let’s read 1 Corinthians 16:2-3 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.

  1. Why do you think people sometimes struggle to trust God when it comes to giving? How does our giving reflect our faith and relationship with Him?
  2. Read 1 Timothy 6:5. Pastor Gary mentioned a few common myths people believe about money (Money is a sign of God’s favor, Money is a sign of God’s approval, What if there is not enough?)… Are there any of these you used to believe?

Keepin’ It Real

  1. If the definition of financial freedom is being free from worry, are there any worries that are currently holding you back from experiencing true financial freedom?
  2. Pastor Gary also mentioned the “10-10-80 Plan”. How could you start implementing this plan in your own life?

Scripture references

Luke 14:28-33 · Matthew 6:26-30 · Luke 16:13-15 · Matthew 19:16-22 · Psalm 24:1 · 1 Timothy 6:7 · 1 Timothy 6:17 · John 3:16 · Proverbs 27:23 · Proverbs 22:7 · Hebrews 13:5 · Ecclesiastes 5:10 · Genesis 41 · Hebrews 13:8 · Proverbs 21:20 · John 8:36

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