Practicing the Way (Week 7): The Practice of Simplicity & Generosity No one likes to think of themselves as greedy—yet greed is one of the most deceptive sins of all. It hides beneath the surface, shaping how we spend, how we think, and how we treat others. This week’s message dives into why Jesus spoke more about money and possessions than almost anything else. We unpack how modern marketing and the “myth of more” trap us in dissatisfaction, why wealth is spiritually dangerous, and how simplicity and generosity break greed’s grip on our hearts. You’ll hear: ✅ How wealth deceives, even if it doesn’t corrupt ✅ Why contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6) ✅ How Jesus redefines true treasure ✅ Practical ways to simplify and live generously And you'll be reminded: We live on through what we give.
Title: Practicing the Way — The Practice of Simplicity & Generosity
Main Texts: 1 Timothy 6:6–10; Luke 12:15; Mark 4:18–19; Matthew 19:23–24; Luke 11:39, 41
Big Idea: Greed is one of the most deceitful sins—it quietly damages our hearts and distorts our desires. The antidote is the practice of simplicity and generosity.
Key Points:
The Deceitfulness of Greed
Greed is rarely confessed. It’s easy to justify, often hidden beneath surface sins.
Paul warns: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Greed traps us in the endless cycle of “more, more, more”, which never satisfies.
How Culture Feeds Greed
We live in an era of surveillance capitalism—algorithms constantly fuel discontent and desire.
Marketing sells feelings, not products: status, security, confidence, adventure.
The American Dream is built on the myth of more: “If I just had a little more, then I’d be happy.”
But in reality, the more we get, the more empty we often feel.
Jesus’ Warnings About Wealth
Luke 12:15 — “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.”
Mark 4:18–19 — Wealth is not evil, but it’s deceitful. It chokes out spiritual life.
Matthew 19:23–24 — Jesus warned that wealth can make it very difficult to enter the kingdom.
Greed is a heart issue—not about income level, but about attachment and priority.
Money Isn’t Bad, but the Love of It Is
Wealth itself can be used for great good.
But when money becomes the goal, it corrupts our motives and relationships.
Pride, anxiety, contempt for others all increase when wealth becomes identity (TED Talk: Does Money Make You Mean?).
The Antidote: Simplicity and Generosity
Simplicity isn’t about poverty; it’s about intentionality.
Luke 11:41 — “Be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.”
Generosity cleanses the heart by reminding us that we already have enough—and that life is found in giving, not hoarding.
Personal Story of Radical Generosity
The story of a family who gave sacrificially to meet tangible needs after a time of personal family crisis.
True generosity leaves a legacy—not just in stuff, but in lives transformed.
Final Challenge:
The kingdom of God runs counter to the myth of more. Live simply. Give generously. Find contentment—not in what you accumulate, but in what you release.