Stop Living in the Not Enough | Jabin Chavez

Living the Good Life: The Freedom and Purpose of Generosity

Scripture References

Primary text

• Proverbs 11:24
• 1 Timothy 6
• Genesis 22:2

Other references

• 2 Corinthians 9
• Galatians 6
• Matthew 10:42

Overview

God doesn’t need our “fries,” yet He asks for them so we can discover His abundance, freedom, and purpose. Using a light-hearted In-N-Out story, the speaker showed that everything belongs to God and generosity is how we step into the good, “larger” life Proverbs promises. He then walked through four reasons generosity changes us—from breaking the grip of money to linking our resources with the next generation—before Pastor Craig led the church in prayer and a call to put Jesus first.

Main Points

1. Generosity sets me free

• Giving breaks both the love of money and the fear of not having enough.
• 1 Timothy 6 warns against putting hope in wealth; instead, hope in God “who richly provides…for our enjoyment.”
• Enjoyment of money comes when it’s held loosely:
  • Quote: “Anyone who says money doesn’t make you happy hasn’t given enough away.”
• Illustration: Like the new love a father feels when he first holds his child, a whole new capacity for loving God opens whenever we give—because our heart follows our treasure.
• We don’t pray our way out of greed; we give our way out.

2. Generosity connects me to Kingdom purpose

• Philippians believers “shared” in Paul’s ministry; gifts traveled 100 miles to Thessalonica—far beyond where they could ever go themselves.
• Giving funds salvation decisions, YouVersion downloads, prison ministry, wells in Africa, and more; the eternal credit goes to the giver’s “heavenly account.”
• 2 Corinthians 9 calls giving a “ministry.” Every giver becomes a full-time Kingdom worker, no matter their weekday job.
• Money alone never satisfies; money on mission does.

3. Generosity changes how I see my life

• Galatians 6 frames offerings as seed. Sowing to the Spirit brings an eternal harvest; farmers don’t cry over seed they plant.
• The goal is not “give to get” but “give to give again.” We move finances from the system of decrease (mammon) into God’s increase.
• Story: The speaker and his wife felt led to escalate their giving from 30 % to 70 % of income in 2023. They did not receive a windfall or luxury purchase but testified, “We’re so blessed—we didn’t die, and God used us.”
• Testimony contrast: givers consistently say, “We’re blessed,” while non-givers—rich or poor—say, “I can’t afford it.”

4. Generosity links my heart to the next generation

• Matthew 10:42—God personally rewards those who give even a cup of cold water to “little ones.”
• When the church’s three largest donors left, God told the pastor: build for the next generation and He would be the Source.
• The church re-oriented around kids and students; resources flowed, confirming God as Jehovah-Jireh.
• Giving to youth ministries, Switch, kids’ classrooms, and Bible resources ensures impact long after we’re gone.

Key Truths

• Everything in our hands already belongs to God; we are stewards, not owners.
• The world of the generous grows “larger and larger,” not in possessions but in faith, impact, and joy.
• Money becomes enjoyable only when it is released for good works and eternal purposes.
• Giving is a spiritual discipline that uproots greed faster than any prayer or good intention.
• When we fund next-generation ministry, God Himself takes responsibility for our supply.

Response

• Recognize God as the true Owner of every resource in your life.
• Take one tangible step—tithe, give an offering, sponsor a project—to move from intention to action.
• Attach every dollar possible to Kingdom mission: people, Scripture, the poor, the next generation.
• Keep sowing even when results seem slow; trust God for the harvest “at the proper time.”
• Celebrate stories of impact; let them fuel greater generosity.

Prayer

The pastors thanked God for His extravagant generosity, asked for courage to take new steps of giving, and prayed that every faithful giver would experience joy while those in financial strain would see God’s provision. They also invited anyone who had not yet trusted Christ to surrender fully, putting Jesus first as Savior and Lord.

Closing

Generosity is not God taking from us; it is God inviting us into a larger life. When we give, we discover freedom from money’s grip, partner in worldwide ministry, sow seeds for an eternal harvest, and bless the children who will carry the gospel forward. As the congregation was reminded, “We will lead the way with irrational generosity, because we truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.”