Selfless - Extravagant in Giving: Week 3 with Pastor Craig Groeschel

Extravagant in Generosity

Scripture References

Primary text

• Proverbs 21:26
• Luke 6:38
• Proverbs 3:9-10

Other references

• Haggai 1:6
• Mark 14
• Deuteronomy 28:2
• Deuteronomy 28:5
• 1 Kings 17
• Exodus 13:2
• Exodus 13:13
• Matthew 6

Overview

In a culture that shouts “get more,” Jesus calls His followers to give without holding back. Craig Groeschel contrasts three mind-sets—bag, basket, and barn—to show how our view of God determines our generosity. What we keep is all we have; what we place in God’s hands, He multiplies. When we honor Him first, our “barns” overflow so we can bless others.

Context

Week three of the series “Self less.” After focusing on being bold in spirit and faithful in service, this message tackles becoming “extravagant in generosity.”

Main Points

1. Bag Mind-set: “There’s never enough”

• Based on Haggai 1:6: people worked hard yet still felt empty because they did not put God first.
• Typical language: “Money comes in, but the bag has holes.”
• Modern signs: constant worry, statements like “I wish I could give, but…”
• Judas embodied this attitude—he carried the disciples’ money bag, criticized the woman who poured a year’s wages of perfume on Jesus (Mark 14), and later betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins.
• Craig’s upbringing: scarcity phrases such as “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” “The rich get richer.”

2. Basket Mind-set: “With God, there is enough”

• Deuteronomy 28 promises a blessed basket when God is obeyed.
• Jesus’ teaching:

  “Give and it will be given to you—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”

• Explanation of the image: day laborers would fill a basket lightly, but the hungry fill it, press it down, shake it, and heap it up.
• Principle:

  “When you keep what you have, that’s all you have; when you give, God can multiply what you give.”

• Stories that model the basket:
  • Story: Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17) used her last flour and oil to feed Elijah and never ran out again.
  • Story: Boy with five loaves and two fish gave his lunch; Jesus fed thousands and twelve baskets remained.

3. Barn Mind-set: “There is more than enough”

• Proverbs 3:9-10 links honoring God with firstfruits to barns filled to overflowing.
• God longs to be first in every area (Matthew 6: “Seek first the kingdom”).
• The principle of the firstborn & firstfruits (Exodus 13):
  • Clean animals (lambs) are offered; unclean (donkeys) are redeemed by a lamb.
  • Humanity is “unclean”; Jesus, God’s firstborn Lamb, was given first to redeem us.
  • Therefore, believers return the first tenth (tithe) as worship, believing God will provide.
• Only place God says “test Me” (referenced from Malachi though chapter not cited); tithing stretches faith because it is given first, not last.

4. Living the Barn Mind-set Today

• Personal practice: The Groeschel family gives their largest offering on January 1 each year.
• Story: Craig wrestled with selling an old car at a “good price,” then decided to give it away—filling the gas tank and paying for the deluxe car wash first.
• Illustration: Life.Church chose to give away sermons and the YouVersion Bible App; millions now benefit, and the church experiences ongoing provision.
• Refrain:

  “We will lead the way with irrational generosity.”

Key Truths

• Selfish people crave more, but righteous people “give and do not hold back.”
• Generosity is not about wallet size but about trust in God’s abundance.
• The tithe is an act of worship declaring God’s firstness and faithfulness.
• God multiplies what we release; He cannot multiply what we cling to.
• Overflow is never just for us—it equips us to meet needs and advance the gospel.

Response

• Examine your current mind-set: bag, basket, or barn.
• Put God first by returning the first 10 % of every increase.
• Look for immediate, practical ways to “give and not hold back” this week.
• Share stories of God’s provision to strengthen others’ faith.
• Pray daily for eyes to see needs and courage to meet them.

Closing

Craig challenged listeners to move from craving to contributing, trusting the God who freely gave His firstborn Son. Those ready to surrender began following Jesus, and the church prayed for faith to honor God first and bless others.

Prayer

The congregation thanked God for His generous gift of Jesus, asked for forgiveness, received new life through Christ, and requested the Spirit’s power to live generously and make a difference.

Resources

• Life.Church Open Network (free ministry resources)
• YouVersion Bible App