The kingdom of God is built on sacrifice. Jesus Christ set the ultimate example through His life, which He laid down so that we may have eternal life. Sacrifice is woven into the very DNA of the church. Yet, in today’s church culture, we face a significant danger: the temptation to focus on what suits our personal needs and desires. We live in a world that encourages self-gratification, catering to our own pleasures and wants. But God’s kingdom is countercultural. We are called to lay down our own interests to discover a greater purpose and calling from Him.

As I reflect on our church, I feel a deep burden for who we are and who we are becoming. Yes, there are areas where we fall short. We’re still growing, still learning. In many ways, we are an infant church, taking our first steps toward becoming the mature Christians God is calling us to be. But infancy isn’t where we are meant to stay—it’s a stage we should be eager to grow out of.

So, why are you here today? Why do you call The Well your church? Are you here to gain something, or are you here to give? While it's natural to hope for grace, peace, and blessings through fellowship, the church cannot truly grow if we approach it with a consumer mindset—focused only on what we can receive. The question is: Are you willing to give whatever the Lord asks of you?

The early church grew because Christians laid down their lives for the Gospel. Our church will grow when we lay down our personal preferences and seek His will. How will you engage with this church? Will you adopt the consumer mentality, or will you choose to give, so that the church can become the radiant bride God has called us to be? We are called to be a people who surrender our lives to Him. My prayer is that your presence here today is not for yourself, but a gift to God, allowing Him to use it for His kingdom.

Consider the boy who gave his two loaves and five fish to Jesus. Though it seemed small, God multiplied it to feed thousands. It doesn't matter how little you think you have to offer—when you surrender it to the Lord, He can multiply it many times over. The point is not how much we have, but that we give and sacrifice, trusting that God will use it.

Brothers and sisters, let us be a people who give generously to the Lord, so that He may build His church and His kingdom through our obedience and sacrifice.