Podcast Summary: 3 Mindsets That Move Us | This Is What We Do: Part 2

Podcast: Life.Church with Craig Groeschel
Date: November 30, 2025
Host: Pastor Craig Groeschel

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Craig Groeschel explores the theme of generosity, not just as a series of actions but as a deeply rooted mindset that shapes how followers of Christ interact with the world. Craig breaks down three distinct mindsets of generosity—spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial—and uses biblical principles, personal stories, and compelling statistics to encourage listeners to grow in their generosity and align this aspect of their lives more fully with their faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding True Generosity

• Generosity vs. Giving:

  • "Giving is an action, but generosity is a mindset." (01:44)
  • Many people believe they are generous simply because they give occasionally. True generosity is about identity and lifestyle.

• Reality Check on Generosity:

  • Average Americans gave only 1.9% of their income to charity in 2023, with higher earners giving a lower percentage—contrasting the common perception of self as generous. (02:43)
  • "Most of us, we don’t really feel rich and blessed, but we really are. And most of us think that we’re generous, but we’re really not." (03:27)

• Generosity Is a Mindset:

  • It’s not about the amount or moment, but the approach and consistency in making a difference.

2. Three Generosity Mindsets

A. Spontaneous Generosity

• Definition: Giving in response to an immediate need or emotional prompting; most common form.
• Biblical Example: Good Samaritan (Luke 10)
  • Story recounted of the Samaritan helping a wounded traveler—"He wasn’t planning on being generous...he sees someone in significant need and he thinks, ‘I can do something about this. Someone’s gotta help. It might as well be me.’" (13:00-15:50)
• Benefits and Limitations:
  • Spontaneous giving is "a great place to start, but it’s not the best place to finish." (17:02)
  • "If you only give when you feel something, you won’t give when you don’t." (17:19)
• Notable Quote:
  • "You can’t always plan to give, but you can always be ready to watch when God puts someone in your path..." (16:08)

B. Strategic Generosity

• Definition: Giving that is prayerful, planned, and consistent, guided by conviction rather than just emotion.
• The Biblical Tithe (Malachi 3:10, Leviticus):
  • "Tithing is technically not giving. It’s returning. It’s giving back to God what belongs to God." (22:25)
  • Planning to tithe and give above the tithe is a way to declare, "You are the king of my life...my honor to give back to you." (24:13)
• Planning for Generosity:
  • "We tend to plan what’s important to us." (27:48)
  • Story of an 18-year-old who planned to increase her giving by 1% each year, plus the host’s own family approach to planning and budgeting for generosity through various funds and ministries. (31:15-35:00)
• Notable Quote:
  • "Generous people...plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity." (Isaiah 32:8 — 29:31)

C. Sacrificial Generosity

• Definition: Giving that costs personally, requires real faith, and is motivated by profound love.
• Biblical Example: The Widow’s Mite (Mark 12)
  • The widow "put more into the treasury than all the others...she, out of her poverty, put everything in—all that she had." (39:37)
• Why Sacrifice?
  • "Love that costs nothing changes nothing." (42:13)
  • "We give sacrificially to each other...That’s what love does." (37:20)
• Personal Stories:
  • Story of a young man who sacrificially bought Craig’s meal, demonstrating the power of faith-filled, costly giving. (43:54)
• Impact:
  • "Sacrificial giving, it takes faith and it moves the heart of God and it changes lives." (45:36)

3. “This Is What We Do” – The Life.Church DNA

• From the Beginning:
  • Life.Church began with "going all in"—giving all they had to start the ministry and meeting needs spontaneously. (47:32)
• Strategic Expansion:
  • Example: Giving away millions of ministry resources, creating the free Church Online platform, and partnering with 165+ ministries globally. (51:17)
• Impact at Scale:
  • "We are literally big enough to impact the world and small enough to care for the 1." (53:59)
• Encouragement to the Church:
  • "Our goal as our family is to lead the way. Lead the way with irrational generosity...because we truly believe it’s more blessed to give than receive." (57:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Spontaneous Giving:

  "You can’t always plan to give, but you can always be ready to watch when God puts someone in your path." (16:08 — Pastor Craig)

• Strategic Generosity:

  "We tend to plan what’s important to us." (27:48 — Pastor Craig)

• Sacrificial Giving:

  "Love that costs nothing changes nothing." (42:13 — Pastor Craig)

• Generosity Defined:

  "Giving happens spontaneously. But generosity is actually more strategic. It’s designing our life around using what God gives to us to be a blessing to others." (35:21 — Pastor Craig)

• Encouragement to Listeners:

  "When the world says hold back, as believers, we step forward. When culture says get more, no, no, no. As followers of Jesus, we give more. When others play it safe, we live by faith." (59:15 — Pastor Craig)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Introduction and Context
• [01:44] – Generosity vs. Giving
• [13:00 – 15:50] – Story of the Good Samaritan & Spontaneous Generosity
• [22:25] – The Tithe and Strategic Generosity
• [31:15] – Young Woman’s Strategic Giving Plan
• [37:20] – Sacrificial Generosity and Love
• [39:37–43:54] – Widow’s Mite & Real-life Example of Sacrifice
• [47:32] – Church Beginnings: All-In, Spontaneous Generosity
• [51:17] – Expansion: Strategic, Global Generosity through Resources & Partnerships
• [53:59] – The Impact: Big Enough for the World, Small Enough for One
• [57:42] – Living and Leading with Irrational Generosity
• [59:15] – Final Encouragement

Action Challenge & Takeaways

• Be Spontaneous: Respond generously when moved by compassion.
• Be Strategic: Plan your giving, starting with the tithe and building from prayerful conviction.
• Be Sacrificial: Regularly stretch yourself to give beyond comfort, trusting God.
• Live the “This Is What We Do” Mindset:
  • "Because spontaneous giving, it moves our hearts and it helps some people. Strategic giving shapes our lives and we make a bigger difference. Sacrificial giving moves the heart of God and it changes the world." (59:41)

Conclusion

Craig Groeschel invites every listener to move from thinking ‘I give’ to living ‘I am generous,' challenging both individuals and the church to lead boldly with "irrational generosity." He calls for a life that mirrors God’s love—spontaneous, strategic, and sacrificial—and frames generosity not only as a duty but as a mark of spiritual transformation and a source of deep blessing.

For Further Reflection:

• When was the last time you gave spontaneously, strategically, or sacrificially?
• What next step does God invite you to take in your generosity journey?

Explore more resources or next steps at life.church.