A Faith That Gives: A Life of Purpose and Generosity
This past Sunday, First Baptist Moncton began a three-week Stewardship Series.
Guest speaker Gary Barr, former pastor of Highfield Street Baptist Church, guided us through Scripture with clarity, humility, and pastoral wisdom, helping us see stewardship not as pressure—but as grace in action.
Why Money Matters Spiritually
Gary began with an honest observation: money is both powerful and personal. It shapes our priorities, influences our decisions, and quietly reveals what we value most.
Jesus understood this deeply. In fact, Scripture shows that Jesus spoke about money more than almost any other topic—not because He needed it, but because money so often competes for our hearts.
Stewardship, then, is not primarily about finances.
It is about formation.
Giving as Grace, Not Duty
Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8, Gary highlighted Paul’s teaching on generosity, using the example of the Macedonian churches—believers who gave joyfully and generously despite deep poverty.
Their giving was not driven by abundance, comfort, or obligation.
It flowed from grace.
Grace-filled giving is not coerced.
It is not shame-driven.
It is a joyful response to what God has already done.
As Gary emphasized, when grace moves the heart, generosity follows naturally.
The Pattern of Christ
At the center of Christian generosity stands Jesus Himself.
Though rich in every way, Christ chose to become poor for our sake—laying aside glory, comfort, and power so that we might become rich in grace, hope, and eternal life.
This is the model for all Christian giving:
Motivated by love
Shaped by sacrifice
Focused on others
Grounded in worship
Giving, Gary reminded us, is not about leftovers.
It is about offering our lives back to God.
Stewardship Is About the Heart
Throughout the message, one truth remained clear:
God is not interested in our bank accounts—He is interested in our hearts.
Grace-filled stewardship:
Is willing, not forced
Is joyful, not reluctant
Is intentional, not accidental
Is faithful, not impulsive
Every spending decision becomes a spiritual decision when we recognize that everything we have belongs to God.
A Season of Prayerful Reflection
As this series continues over the next two weeks, the invitation is simple—but profound:
Pray.
Reflect.
Ask what the Lord is calling you to do next.
Stewardship commitment cards are available, not as a demand, but as a personal tool for prayer and discernment—a conversation between you and God.
Our call is not to emotionalism, but to faithful obedience—to grow one step deeper into a life of generosity shaped by grace.
Moving Forward Together
A faith that gives is a faith that trusts.
A faith that gives is a faith that worships.
A faith that gives is a faith that reflects Christ.
May we continue this journey together—serving, giving, and living for the glory of God.