The Cure for Greed | Jonathan “JP” Pokluda

Made to Be Pipes, Not Pails

Scripture References

Primary text

• 2 Corinthians 9
• 2 Corinthians 8

Other references

• 1 Timothy 6
• Mark 12
• Psalm 112:9
• Matthew 6

Overview

Greed quietly shapes much of American Christianity, turning disciples into “containers instead of conduits.” 2 Corinthians 8–9 shows God’s cure: generous, cheerful, faithful giving that moves resources through us to where He wants them. The preacher traces real–life stories, Scripture, and personal experience to expose materialism’s blind spot and invite listeners to step into a lifestyle of open-handed generosity.

Main Points

The American blind spot: materialism

• Haitian believers mixed voodoo with Christianity; a Russian missionary later named our parallel flaw: Public Storage buildings and over-stuffed houses reveal a nation “100 percent materialistic.”
• Illustration: “We’ve become containers, not conduits—pails that store, not pipes that pass things along.”

Give generously (2 Corinthians 9:6)

• “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly; whoever sows generously will reap generously.”
• Generosity = giving until you feel it; wealth alone does not equal generosity.
  • Story: The widow’s two coins (Mark 12) prove that proportionate sacrifice, not dollar amount, defines generosity.
• Personal journey: first proud $100 gift while living in luxury; later discipleship and budget changes led to increasing percentages and unexpected divine provision.

Give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7)

• Not “reluctantly or under compulsion.”
  Compulsion picture: uncle Reuben forced to drop money into a pole-mounted offering plate after an usher shook it at him.
• Make giving an act of joy with family participation and accountability.
• God loves cheerful givers because He Himself gave “for the joy set before Him.”

Give faithfully (2 Corinthians 9:8-13)

• God supplies seed to sowers so they can “be generous on every occasion.”
• Faithful giving = regular, trust-filled flow, not year-end leftovers.
• Result: needs met, thanksgiving raised, and God’s reputation for generosity spreads.
  Illustration: first farmer who buried grain in faith for a harvest.
• Life.Church cited as a living example—Bible App, free resources, online platform—because members keep the pipeline open.

Tithing is only a starting line

• OT giving totaled roughly 25–30 percent; NT calls for Spirit-led proportionate generosity rather than a fixed 10 percent rule.
• Aim: increase “standard of giving,” not merely standard of living.

Child-like trust fuels reckless generosity

• Story: four-year-old Weston regularly gave his possessions and restaurant change away, secure that his father would meet every need.
• Matthew 6 reminder: our heavenly Father does the same; generosity is an act of faith in that promise.

Key Truths

• God channels resources through people, not to people for stockpiling.
• Generosity breaks materialism’s grip and realigns the heart with God’s.
• The measure of generosity is sacrifice, not amount.
• Joyful giving reflects God’s own joyful giving in Christ.
• When God can trust us to pass resources on, He supplies even more seed to sow.

Response

• Examine closets, garages, and bank statements for “container” habits.
• Decide a percentage or amount that stretches you, and schedule it as first-fruits giving.
• Include spouse, children, or close friends in prayerful planning so giving becomes shared worship.
• Track God’s provision and redirect any increase toward further generosity.
• Use possessions and platforms to elevate God’s reputation, not personal comfort.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your staggering generosity in Jesus. Stir our hearts to trust You completely; make us conduits, not containers. Increase what You place in our hands so we can meet needs, spread Your Word, and lift high the name of Jesus. Amen.

Closing

The message ended with an invitation to let go of sin and stuff, surrender to Jesus as Lord, and imitate His self-giving love.

“My life is not my own; I give it all to You.”