The One Sin You Probably Don’t Struggle With | Levi Lusko | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The One Sin You Probably Don’t Struggle With

Fresh Life Church • Mar 9, 2026 • 46 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Greed is often the one sin we assume we do not struggle with, yet Jesus warned about it more than almost any other issue. At its core, greed is a disordered love that replaces our devotion to God with an excessive affection for money, possessions, or security. By walking in generosity, cultivating gratitude for present blessings, and keeping our focus on eternal realities, we break the grip of materialism and guard our hearts against deceptive accumulation.

Themes

Contentment and GratitudeStewardship vs. OwnershipGuarding the Heart Against GreedEternal PerspectiveMisplaced Affection and Idolatry

Pastor's Points

1.

There's lots of ways to be greedy.

2.

More will never be enough.

3.

You can't take it with you.

4.

You'll miss out on the best parts of life.

5.

The more you love it, the more it will mess you up.

Key Points

1.
There are lots of ways to be greedy, extending beyond obvious materialism to subtle status-seeking, security-seeking, and identity issues.
2.
More will never be enough because unchecked accumulation creates an endless desire for profit that earthly riches can never satisfy.
3.
You cannot take earthly wealth with you when you die, making it foolish to die rich on earth but poor toward God.
4.
Living a greedy life causes you to miss out on the best parts of life, which are found in relationships with God and people rather than things.
5.
The more you love money, the more it will mess you up, acting as a spiritual trap that leads to faithlessness and grief.
6.
Greed is fundamentally misplaced love, elevating created things into the seat of devotion that belongs solely to the Creator.
7.
Generosity breaks the grip of materialism in our hearts, reminding us that we are stewards rather than ultimate owners.
8.

Sermon Moments

“Greed is sneaky like that—easier to see when it's in other people's lives.”

“Money is a terrific servant and a terrible master.”

“God's invisible and stuff is not. So, it's easy to yearn for what we can see and to ignore what we can't see, but it's a trap.”

“It feels great to win at Monopoly, but at the end of the game everything goes back in the box. Only with life, you go in the box.”

“The greatest, most foolish mistake you can make in this world is to die rich on earth but poor towards God.”

“The best parts of life are not things—they are people and relationships.”

“Every time you give an offering to God, it's a dress rehearsal for your death.”

“Pastor Levi highlighted Rick Warren's practical counsel for contentment: "I can admire but not acquire."”

This Week

Conduct a prayerful heart audit, asking God to reveal any subtle forms of greed, status-seeking, or financial anxiety in your life.

Prioritize giving to God's work first upon receiving income, treating giving as an intentional act of worship and trust.

Practice restraint by choosing one item or purchase you feel drawn to buy this week and deciding to admire it without acquiring it.

Go through unused possessions or storage items and give them away to someone who can benefit from them.

Replace time spent "dream scrolling" on real estate or online store apps with quality time invested in your family and relationships.

Express daily gratitude by writing down and thanking God for present blessings rather than longing for what you lack.

Establish a weekly practice of Sabbath restraint by taking a break from commercial spending and shopping for a day.

Remember This

Greed is a deceptive form of misplaced love, but we can break its grip through intentional generosity, daily gratitude, and prioritizing eternal treasure in God.

A Challenge for You

Open your hands before God, surrender your finances to His lordship, and invite Him to be first in your heart today.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.