"Stewardship Consecration Sunday From Scarcity to Abundance: Responding to God's Grace Through Generosity " John 2:1-11
Sermon Resources
Sermon Summary
Title: Stewardship Consecration Sunday From Scarcity to Abundance: Responding to God's Grace Through Generosity John 2:1-11
Sermon Summary: This sermon, delivered during a Consecration Sunday service, uses the wedding at Cana of Galilee (John 2) as the foundation for exploring God's abundant grace versus worldly scarcity. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus' first miracle—turning water into wine—demonstrates God's movement from maintenance to mission, from scarcity to abundance. The sermon connects this biblical narrative to contemporary stewardship, inviting the congregation to respond to God's generosity not through obligation but through joyful participation in ministry. The message challenges believers to shift their focus from what they lack to the abundance God provides, and to see their financial giving as an estimate of participation in God's mission rather than a pledge to a budget.
Key Points:
Weddings in Jesus' time were week-long celebrations, and running out of wine would bring lasting shame and humiliation to the family
Jesus provided 180 gallons of the finest wine, demonstrating God's abundant grace that far exceeds our needs
The world focuses on scarcity (never enough time, money, or joy), but God calls us to focus on abundance
Moving from "maintenance to mission" requires shifting from safety and cautiousness to excitement and generosity
Winning the lottery or sudden wealth often robs people of the joy of giving and responding to God's call
Consecration Sunday is not about pledging to a church budget but responding to God's call to give of ourselves in ministry
The Family Operating Budget (FOB) should begin with what we plan to give to God, with everything else organized around that commitment
Giving is an estimate of participation in ministry, not a contractual obligation, and can be adjusted as circumstances change
5-Day Devotional: From Scarcity to Abundance
Day 1: The Invitation to Celebration
Reading: John 2:1-11 Devotional: Jesus' first miracle wasn't performed in a temple or during a solemn religious ceremony—it happened at a wedding celebration. God invites us not to a life of scarcity and fear, but to abundant joy. Like the wedding guests in Cana, we're called to celebrate God's presence in our everyday lives. The 180 gallons of finest wine represent God's extravagant grace—far more than we need, better than we deserve. Today, shift your focus from what you lack to what God abundantly provides. Where are you living in "maintenance mode" when God is calling you to mission and abundance? Accept His invitation to the party.
Day 2: Beyond Safety to Excitement Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 Devotional: Ann Fern's mother wanted to hear "safe," but Ann cabled "excited." God doesn't call us to cautious Christianity but to adventurous faith. The parable of the talents reminds us that playing it safe—burying our gifts—disappoints the Master. Like the servants who invested what they were given, we're called to risk, to give, to step beyond our comfort zones. The world focuses on scarcity: never enough time, money, or resources. But God's economy operates on abundance. When we hold tightly to what we have, we lose the joy of participation in God's mission. What "gold piece" of safety are you clinging to that God is asking you to invest?
Day 3: The Joy of Giving Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Devotional: The lottery fantasy reveals a profound truth: winning millions wouldn't bring joy—it would rob us of the blessing of giving. Paul writes that God loves a cheerful giver, and there's deep wisdom here. Giving isn't primarily about meeting church budgets; it's about participating in God's work and discovering joy in the process. When we organize our lives around generosity—making our giving the first priority in our "Family Operating Budget"—everything else falls into proper perspective. Giving transforms us from consumers to contributors, from spectators to participants. It changes scarcity thinking into abundance living. How might prioritizing your giving reshape your entire financial life?
Day 4: Water into Wine Reading: John 15:1-11 Devotional: Jesus transforms ordinary water into extraordinary wine, and He desires to transform our ordinary lives into something extraordinary. The water jars were for purification—religious duty. But Jesus turned them into vessels of celebration and joy. Sometimes our faith becomes routine, focused on religious obligation rather than relationship. God wants to fill your life with the "best wine"—joy, purpose, and abundance. This transformation happens when we remain connected to Christ, the true vine. Abiding in Him turns our scarcity into His abundance, our duty into delight, our maintenance into mission. What areas of your life need Jesus' transforming touch today?
Day 5: Responding to Grace Reading: Romans 12:1-8 Devotional: Paul urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices—our reasonable response to God's mercy. Consecration isn't about meeting an institutional budget; it's about responding to amazing grace. When we estimate our giving, we're really estimating how we'll participate in God's ongoing work. This isn't between you and the church—it's between you and God. Some resist formal commitments, preferring private spirituality. But there's power in declaring our intentions, in making our devotion tangible. Our gifts—financial and otherwise—are estimates of how we'll use what God has entrusted to us. Today, consider: How will you respond to the abundance God has poured into your life?
Reflection Question for the Week: Where is God calling you to move from maintenance to mission, from scarcity thinking to abundance living?
Small Group Guide: From Scarcity to Abundance Opening Prayer Begin your gathering by inviting God's presence and asking the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to His message about generous living. Icebreaker Share a memorable wedding experience you've attended. What made it special? How did the celebration reflect joy and abundance?
Key Scripture John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana Main Themes
1. Moving from Scarcity to Abundance The world teaches us to focus on what we lack, but Jesus offers abundance through God's grace.
2. From Maintenance to Mission We're called to move beyond playing it safe to living with excitement and purpose in God's mission.
3. Stewardship as Response to Grace Giving isn't about funding a budget—it's about responding to God's love and participating in ministry.
Discussion Questions Understanding the Message
The pastor mentioned that Jesus provided 180 gallons of the finest wine—far more than needed. What does this extravagant provision tell us about God's character and His approach to meeting our needs?
In the sermon, the pastor contrasted "scarcity thinking" with "abundance thinking." Where do you see scarcity thinking showing up in your own life? (Time? Money? Energy? Joy?)
The story of Ann Fern choosing "excited" over "safe" was highlighted. When has God called you to move from safety to excitement? How did you respond?
Personal Reflection
The pastor shared about creating a Family Operating Budget (FOB) with giving to God as the first item. How do you currently prioritize your giving? What would change if you made it the organizing principle of your finances?
The lottery ticket story illustrated how winning millions might actually rob people of the joy of giving. Why do you think giving brings joy? Have you experienced this personally?
The pastor mentioned that we're not giving to a budget but responding to God's call to ministry. How does this perspective change the way you view financial stewardship?
Application to Life
The sermon invited us to "step up" in our giving—beyond tithing, to tithing, or toward tithing. Without sharing specific amounts, what would "stepping up" look like for you personally?
What areas of your life (beyond finances) might God be calling you to move from scarcity to abundance? (Relationships? Forgiveness? Time? Hospitality?)
Key Takeaways
Jesus turns scarcity into abundance through His grace and provision
Giving is an invitation to participate in joy, not an obligation to meet a budget
An "estimate of giving" is a commitment to ministry, not just a pledge to an institution
Organizing our finances around giving first changes our entire perspective on stewardship
Moving from maintenance to mission means choosing excitement over safety
Practical Applications This Week's Challenge Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Create your own FOB (Family Operating Budget) with giving as the first line item. What adjustments might you need to make?
Identify one area of "scarcity thinking" in your life and pray specifically about how God wants to transform it into abundance thinking.
Practice "abundance living" by being extravagantly generous in one specific way this week (with your time, encouragement, hospitality, or resources).
Journal about this question: "Where is God inviting me to move from 'safe' to 'excited' in my faith journey?"
Have a conversation with your spouse or accountability partner about your giving patterns and what "stepping up" might look like for you.
Prayer Focus Pray together for:
Hearts that recognize God's abundant provision rather than focusing on scarcity
Courage to move from maintenance to mission in all areas of life
Joy in giving and participating in God's work
Wisdom in financial stewardship
The ministry of your church and its mission in the community
Closing Activity Gratitude Circle: Have each person share one specific way they've experienced God's abundance in their life recently. Close by thanking God together for His extravagant generosity toward us.
For Next Week Consider inviting group members to share testimonies of how they experienced joy or God's provision as they practiced abundance thinking this week.
Leader Notes
Be sensitive that financial discussions can be uncomfortable for some
Emphasize that giving amounts are between individuals and God
Focus on the heart transformation more than specific dollar amounts
Create a safe space for honest discussion about struggles with scarcity thinking
Celebrate any commitments people make without pressuring those who aren't ready
