The key to growing, maturing, and leveling up our faith in 2025 is selflessness—a trait for which Jesus is the perfect example. The fact that our culture today can be very self-centered makes the task of becoming selfless especially daunting.

By nature, and without even realizing it, we can all be inherently selfish. The wisdom of the world says, “follow your heart,” but Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things.” So, when we can’t trust our hearts, we need to trust Jesus and follow His Word.

If you’ve ever felt the amazing satisfaction that comes from giving sacrificially and selflessly, you know you as the giver received a blessing from it—maybe more blessed than the one receiving your generosity.

That’s how extravagant generosity works in the kingdom of God. A feeling of satisfaction doesn’t come from being self-ISH, but it comes from being self-LESS. As James 4:10 tells us, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Yes, being selfless will not only reap you rewards, but will level up your personal faith.

In Proverbs Chapter 21:26 Solomon says, “All day long the lazy and selfish craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.” In a selfish world, it’s countercultural to believe Jesus’s teaching, “It’s more blessed to give than it is to receive.” But then, we look at what God did in John 3:16 by giving His One and only Son. He gave us a savior, so that we could be redeemed from our sins. Christ was not only self-less, but He is our ultimate example of extravagant generosity.

Three Biblical mindsets about generosity prevail in our society. In Haggai 1:6 God spoke to self-gratifying, self-indulgent people who were not putting Him first. “You drink, but you’re not filled with drink; You clothe yourself, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” That bag mindset is incredible imagery that says without God being first, your work and your material possessions will never satisfy you the way God can. I think it’s safe to say that many, if not most people in our country, tend to live this mindset. We earn wages to put into a bag with holes in it. Instead of giving our time, our attention, and our contributions to what can make a difference in God’s eternal kingdom, we put it into a bag with holes. With the bag mindset, there’s just never enough to give extravagantly.

How much better to have the basket mindset? Deuteronomy 28:2,5 God says, “All these blessings will accompany you if you obey the Lord your God. Your basket will be blessed.” With the basket mindset, God always provides enough. Stated succinctly by Jesus Himself in Luke 6:38: “Give and it will be given to you.” Notice He did not say keep and it would be given to you; He did not say selfishly hoard and it will be given to you. “When you give, in return a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing will be poured into your lap. Could His wish for us be any clearer? Multiple times in scripture, Jesus used a basket to illustrate the promise that with God, there is always enough to be able to give generously.

Lastly, the barn mindset knows there is abundantly more than enough to provide for you in God’s Kingdom when you give extravagantly. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, ““Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” When we obediently put God first in our lives, and choose to honor Him with our wealth, He knows it and honors our faithfulness by showcasing His abundance. What would it take to level up your faith this year?

We at LECC want to grow and mature in our faith to be brave in witness, faithful in service, and extravagantly generous with what God has blessed us with. We would love for you to be a part of it! If you don’t currently have a church family, we would love to meet you! Please visit us at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula. Small group Bible study is at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night activities at 6:30 p.m. If you feel the call to be generous with your time, to seek God this year. You will find out how Jesus can improve your spiritual life, and help you find the loving family that you never realized you needed.

God Bless You!

Jeremy Little, Minister