There’s something truly special about watching people make the decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. This past weekend, Banks, who is just 19 years old, took that step of faith and was baptized. Moments like these remind me why we’re doing this All In series in the first place – because we want everyone connected to our church family to experience the transformative grace of God that impacts lives in ways we can’t predict or imagine.
The Legacy of Generosity
Twenty years ago, a small group of people had a vision. They met at Scranton Middle School with no buildings, no money, and hardly any members – just an idea born from a man named Bob Smith while he was on his tractor. They couldn’t have known that their humble beginnings would grow into seven locations across Southeast Michigan, or that their generosity would help plant 40 churches around the world. They couldn’t have imagined how many families would gather in our community center or worship in our auditorium.
I was in college back in 2005 and had no clue what 2|42 was. But I’m profoundly grateful that this group of people said “yes” and gave sacrificially. I’ve witnessed firsthand what God has done with their generosity – in my life and throughout our community.
When I think about Banks, who wasn’t even born when these faithful people started giving, I’m struck by the beautiful legacy of generosity. I think about the tennis court that’s now under this very stage, where people signed their names and wrote prayers like “build your church oh God.” The person who wrote that prayer couldn’t have known that just feet from where they stood, hundreds of people would one day be baptized.
The Grace That Wells Up
The Apostle Paul writes about the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8, saying that despite their extreme poverty and severe trials, they had an “overflowing joy” that “welled up in rich generosity.” They didn’t just give when it was convenient – they “urgently pleaded” for the privilege of sharing in service to God’s people.
This is what happens when we truly understand God’s grace. The same grace we talked about last week – that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” When we receive this grace, it naturally moves us to go all in, to follow Jesus with everything we have.
Seeds of Grace
The grace we receive from God is like a seed. Have you ever thought about how fascinating seeds are? All the potential and information needed to create a magnificent tree or flower is contained within that tiny package.
I could plant that seed, water it, give it sunlight, and eventually experience the joy of seeing the flower that grows. Or I could give it away – and though I might not see the flower that grows from it, someone else will.
In the same way, God’s grace is a seed He gives us. When we use what He’s given for His honor and glory, we may not always see the fruit of what we plant. Sometimes it takes generations. But someone else will.
This is the heart behind why followers of Jesus give. Not because we expect a return on investment for ourselves, but because we know about the grace of God and want others to experience it too.
David’s Heart of Generosity
King David understood this deeply. In 1 Chronicles 29, we find him preparing to build a temple for God – a temple he would never see completed. After collecting resources from his own wealth and gathering contributions from leaders throughout the land, David prays a prayer that beautifully captures the worldview Jesus would later teach and model.
“Praise be to you, Lord,” David begins. “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.”
Remember, this is a king speaking – not attributing majesty and glory to himself, but to God. David continues: “Wealth and honor come from you… In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
David never forgot where he came from – a shepherd boy chosen by God to become king. He never forgot the source of his strength, power, and wealth. And when he saw the generosity of his people, he was overwhelmed with emotion: “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?”
Then comes what I believe is the most important part of David’s prayer: “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
This is the posture for us all to take. This is what it means to be all in.
Changed Perspectives
When this truth moves from the pages of Scripture to our minds and hearts – that everything comes from God – it changes everything. Not just how we see money, but how we see all we have.
I’ve seen many of you already embracing this worldview. You’ve opened your homes for small groups, offered spare rooms to those needing shelter, given cars to strangers, or welcomed others to your kitchen table. You’ve given of yourselves repeatedly, understanding that when we give to God, we’re only giving back what came from His hand in the first place.
Just like David and those who gave alongside him, just like the faithful people who gave to start 2|42 twenty years ago, we may not see what comes from what we give. But that’s not why we give. We give because we know about the grace of God and want others to know about it too.
The Joy of Going All In
My prayer for all of us is that we’ll understand the joy, the privilege, and even the urgency of giving in a way that expands God’s kingdom here on earth. When you step into this invitation, you’ll know the joy of giving in a way that impacts people for eternity – just as it has for Banks, for me and my family, and probably for you and many you know.
As we approach our commitment Sunday next week, I encourage you to ask yourself these questions:
- What would it look like if I went all in?
- What kind of tension does this worldview create in me?
- God, how do you want me/us to go all in?
For those who are new or perhaps skeptical, thinking “here goes the church asking for money again,” I simply ask you to stick around. What I believe you’ll see is that we aren’t raising money for ourselves – we’re raising money because we care deeply about you, your neighbors, your coworkers, your children and their children. We care about you knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him.
Because here’s what I believe with all my heart: if more people follow Jesus and live like Him, then our community will look a little bit more like the kingdom of heaven.
That’s what it means to go all in. That’s the legacy we’re building together.
Check out our website for more information. We always welcome new friends to worship with us. Find a location that’s close to you!
You can learn more about our beliefs and visit our video library to explore more topics like this one. You can also check out our events page to find out what fun new things we’re doing this season.
