At the Breakers Conference, Pastor Greg Locke shares a powerful message on generosity, challenging common beliefs about wealth and godliness. Locke argues that poverty is not a requirement for holiness, and that God desires for Christians to live abundantly. “You don’t have to be broke to be blessed,” Locke tells attendees. “God doesn’t want His people in poverty.”
Locke recounts a pivotal moment in his life at 18, when he pledged $500 at a missions conference. “That commitment changed my life,” he says, adding that the experience sparked a lifelong transformation in his view on generosity. He credits a Baptist preacher with a quote that cemented this change: “Nothing will change your life more than biblical giving.”
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Locke’s approach to generosity extends to everyday life. He shares his habit of tipping generously as a practical way to show compassion. “You don’t know what people are going through,” Locke says. “A simple tip can be an act of love to someone who’s struggling.”
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In his message, Locke also emphasizes that believers are merely stewards of God’s resources, saying, “Everything we have already belongs to God.” He challenges the congregation to go beyond the standard 10% tithe, calling it “training wheels for biblical generosity.” True giving, Locke insists, means supporting others in meaningful ways. Locke highlights how his church supports missions and holds events such as Single Moms Sunday, where they distribute funds to those in need.
Transparency in giving is central to Locke’s message. He allows his church members to view his own giving records to hold himself accountable. “If I call people to give, I must set the example,” he says, adding that reflecting on the church’s giving history renews his purpose, especially in difficult times.
Locke continues by stressing the importance of generosity in the Christian life. “When we give, we’re impacting eternity,” he says, suggesting that the stewardship of finances is one of the most powerful expressions of faith.
This message from Pastor Locke echoes what the Bible commands in calling believers to be wise with God’s resources: “Moreover it is required of stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
