Hoving Home | Special Offering Service 2025
- fccreative
- 5 days ago
- 10 min read
Giving with a Heart of Affection, Faith, and Joy
Today, we gathered as a church family to witness the powerful testimonies of the women from the Walter Hoving Home, a ministry we deeply cherish and support. Their stories are living proof that the Word of God and the love of Jesus can radically transform lives, redeeming people from the depths and crowning them with love and compassion. As we celebrated their journeys, I was reminded of David’s words in Psalm 103, where he praises God for redeeming lives from the pit and satisfying us with good things.
Turning to 1 Chronicles 29, we reflected on David’s life—a journey from overlooked shepherd boy to king, marked by both triumphs and deep valleys. David’s story is a testament to God’s faithfulness in every season, whether in the fields, the caves, or the palace. The cave, meant to break him, became the classroom where God built him. In the end, David’s greatest desire was not for more personal success, but to give back to God, to build a place for God’s presence, and to leave a legacy that honored the Lord above all else.
David teaches us that true giving begins with affection, not obligation. He set his heart on God’s house, giving not out of duty but out of deep love and gratitude for all God had done. When our hearts are captured by God, generosity flows naturally. Giving is not about calculating what we must do, but consecrating our hearts and responding to God’s goodness.
Furthermore, David reminds us that everything we have comes from God. We are merely stewards, returning to God what is already His. This perspective shifts our focus from ownership to stewardship, from asking “How much do I have to give?” to “Lord, what do you want me to do with what you’ve placed in my hand?”
Releasing what we have into God’s hands activates the principle of multiplication. Just as the boy’s lunch fed thousands when placed in Jesus’ hands, our offerings, when released in faith, become seeds that God multiplies for His kingdom. Giving also redirects our hearts, training us to value what is eternal over what is temporary. Every act of generosity is a declaration that God is our true treasure.
Finally, giving is an act of worship and trust. We rejoice not just in what we have, but in the privilege of participating in God’s work. As we give, we declare our trust in God’s supply and our desire to see Jesus lifted high. In a world where taking is common, may we be a people who overflow with generosity, reflecting the heart of our generous God.
Key Takeaways
1. Generosity Flows from Affection, Not Obligation
True generosity is born from a heart captivated by God’s love, not from a sense of duty. When we set our affection on God, giving becomes a joyful response to His faithfulness, not a burdensome requirement. Our hands open naturally when our hearts are surrendered, and our giving becomes an act of worship rather than a transaction.
2. Stewardship: Recognizing God’s Ownership
Everything we possess is a gift from God, and we are called to steward it faithfully. This realization humbles us and shifts our mindset from ownership to stewardship. When we see ourselves as caretakers of God’s resources, we become more willing to release them for His purposes, knowing that we are simply returning what already belongs to Him.
3. Releasing the Seed Unlocks Multiplication
Holding tightly to what we have limits its impact, but releasing it into God’s hands allows Him to multiply it beyond our imagination. The principle of seed, time, and harvest teaches us that God’s blessings flow when we trust Him enough to let go. Our faith is demonstrated not in what we keep, but in what we are willing to release for God’s kingdom.
4. Giving Redirects and Trains the Heart
Where our treasure goes, our heart follows. Every act of giving is a spiritual discipline that shapes our affections and priorities, anchoring our hearts in eternal things rather than temporary comforts. God uses our generosity to break the grip of materialism and to form maturity in us, drawing us closer to His heart.
5. Worship Through Generosity and Trust
Giving is not merely a financial act, but a profound act of worship and trust in God’s provision. We rejoice not just in what we receive, but in the privilege of participating in God’s work. Our generosity becomes a fragrant offering, reflecting our gratitude and trust in the One who has given us everything.
Bible Study Guide
Bible Reading
Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV) —
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
- 1 Chronicles 29:1-3, 10-14 (ESV)
And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the Lord God. So I have provided for the house of my God so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones and marble. Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God...
...Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.”
- Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Observation Questions
According to 1 Chronicles 29, what motivated David to give so generously for the building of God’s house?
In Psalm 103, what are some of the specific ways God is described as redeeming and blessing His people?
In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about the relationship between our treasure and our heart?
The sermon mentioned that David’s journey included both “caves” and “crowns.” What role did the “cave” experiences play in David’s life?
Interpretation Questions
Why does David emphasize that everything he and the people give is already God’s in 1 Chronicles 29:14? How does this perspective change the way someone might view their own resources?
The sermon says, “Giving starts with affection, not obligation.” What does it mean for giving to flow from affection rather than duty? How might this look different in someone’s life?
Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” How does this principle challenge the way people make decisions about money, time, or talents?
The sermon describes giving as an act of worship and trust. In what ways can generosity be a form of worship, and how does it demonstrate trust in God?
Application Questions
The women from the Walter Hoving Home shared how God redeemed their lives from the “pit.” Is there an area of your life where you need to experience God’s redeeming power? What would it look like to invite Him into that area?
David’s giving was motivated by his deep affection for God, not by obligation. When you think about your own giving—whether time, money, or service—what usually motivates you? How could you shift your motivation to be more about love and gratitude?
The sermon challenged us to see ourselves as stewards, not owners. Is there something in your life (finances, possessions, abilities) that you tend to hold onto tightly? What would it look like to release it to God’s purposes?
The principle of multiplication was illustrated by the story of the boy’s lunch in John 6. Is there a “small” resource or gift you have that you’ve been hesitant to offer to God? What step could you take this week to release it into His hands?
Jesus said our hearts follow our treasure. Looking at your calendar and bank statement, where would you say your heart is currently invested? Is there a change you feel prompted to make to align your heart more with God’s priorities?
The sermon described giving as a “fragrant offering” and an act of worship. What is one practical way you can make your giving (of any kind) more intentional as an act of worship this month?
In a world where “taking is common,” the sermon called us to be people who overflow with generosity. Can you think of a recent opportunity to be generous that you missed or ignored? What could you do differently next time?
Devotional
Day 1: God Redeems and Renews Our Lives
No matter how deep the pit or how broken the past, God is able to redeem, heal, and crown us with His love and compassion. He takes our lowest moments and transforms them into testimonies of His grace, restoring what was lost and renewing our strength. When we look back on our lives, we can see the fingerprints of God—lifting us from despair, forgiving our sins, and satisfying us with good things. His power to change lives is not just a story from the past, but a present reality for all who trust in Him.
Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV) “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust God to redeem and renew what feels broken or lost? Ask Him today to begin that work in you.
Day 2: Giving Begins with Affection, Not Obligation
True generosity flows from a heart that is deeply attached to God, not from a sense of duty or pressure. When our affection is set on the Lord, giving becomes a joyful act of worship rather than a burdensome requirement. Like David, who remembered God’s faithfulness in every season, we are moved to give out of gratitude and love, not calculation. Our generosity is a response to all that God has done for us, and it becomes personal when we realize how much we have been rescued and blessed.
1 Chronicles 29:3 (ESV) “Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God.”
Reflection: What is one way you can let your love for God—not obligation—motivate your generosity today?
Day 3: Everything We Have Belongs to God
Recognizing that all we possess comes from God changes our perspective on giving and stewardship. We are not owners, but stewards entrusted with resources, talents, and opportunities by a generous Father. When we give, we are simply returning to God what is already His, acknowledging His ultimate ownership and expressing our gratitude. This understanding frees us from clinging tightly to what we have and opens our hands to bless others, knowing that God is the true source of every good thing in our lives.
1 Chronicles 29:14 (ESV) “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to remember that you are a steward, not an owner? How can you offer it back to God today?
Day 4: Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also
Our hearts naturally follow what we treasure most, and Jesus teaches us that our giving is a spiritual act that shapes our priorities and affections. When we invest in God’s kingdom, we are training our hearts to value what matters eternally, breaking free from the grip of earthly security. Every act of generosity is a declaration that God’s mission and presence mean more to us than our own comfort or concerns. As we give, our hearts are redirected toward heaven, and we grow in maturity and faith.
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Reflection: Look at where your time, energy, and resources are going. What does this reveal about what you truly treasure, and how might God be inviting you to redirect your heart?
Day 5: Giving Is an Act of Worship and Trust
Giving is not merely a financial transaction, but a profound act of worship that expresses our trust in God’s provision and our gratitude for His blessings. When we release what is in our hands, we participate in God’s work and experience the joy of seeing lives changed and Jesus lifted high. God delights in cheerful, willing hearts that rejoice not just in what they have, but in what they are able to release for His glory. As we give, we declare our faith in God’s supply and our desire to honor Him above all else.
1 Chronicles 29:9-10 (ESV) “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.’”
Reflection: How can you make your giving today an act of worship and trust, rejoicing in the opportunity to participate in God’s work?
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