Graduation is an exciting milestone. You’re stepping into your own life—making choices, living your values, deciding who you want to be. And while this message is for our graduates, it’s also for all of us, because we’re all charting our path or recalibrating our direction from time to time.
I’m 51 now. I may feel the aches of age, but I still
remember sitting where our graduates are—on the edge of something new. The year
I graduated high school was also the year I started dating my wife. That one
decision shaped so much of who I am today. Moments like graduation set us on
paths that echo for a lifetime.
Don’t Be a Fool
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus shares a parable about a rich man
who stored up his wealth and planned to “eat, drink, and be merry,” not
realizing his life would end that very night. Jesus warns, “A person is a fool
to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Graduates, and anyone just getting started: you may not have
much money yet, and that’s okay. What matters most is that you walk with God.
Even when it feels like you’re on your own, your family, your church, and your
Lord are with you.
The rich man’s mistake wasn’t success, it was selfishness.
He forgot about the people who helped him during hard times. When he had
plenty, he thought only of himself. Jesus reminds us: life is not measured by
what we own. When our time comes, we leave it all behind. What lasts is our
relationship with God and how we loved others.
Be Generous
Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those
who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
As you begin your adult life, practice generosity. One powerful way to do that
is through tithing—giving 10% of your income to God through the church.
Start while you have little. If you earn $10, giving $1 may
not seem like much, but it forms a habit. Later, when you're blessed with more,
you’ll already be a faithful giver. Tithing not only supports your church—it
strengthens your trust in God and keeps your heart focused on His Kingdom, not
just your own success.
Tithing helps you guard against greed and reminds you: "It’s
not all about me." It’s a spiritual discipline that builds your faith
and blesses your church, your community, and your soul.
Trust God
The years right after high school are the most formative of
your life. You’ll make decisions about school, career, relationships, maybe
even parenthood. You’ll need God’s guidance like never before.
Sadly, these are also the years when many people drift away
from the church. I urge you—don’t drift. Dig in. Stay connected to God and His
people.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your
heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.” That’s a promise for
graduates—and for all of us.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person worship in
2020, our church worried how we’d survive. But God proved faithful. People gave
generously. We even ended the next two years with a surplus. Rather than store
it away, we launched Operation Mercy Drops, giving monthly $1,000 grants
to people in need. God has used it to bless many—and to bless us for giving.
You never know how much good can come from trusting God,
being faithful, and giving generously.
Recalibrate
In the book One Man’s Wilderness, a man living off
the grid in Alaska realized his watch had drifted off time. He had to
recalibrate. Sometimes, we do too.
Maybe you had clear goals when you were young. Are you still
on the right path? Have you drifted? A little drift over time can lead far off
course. Take time to pause, pray, and ask God to get you back on track.
And if you’ve never done it before, today’s a perfect day to
say yes to Jesus and follow Him.
Whether you’re just starting out or years down the road, the
message is the same:
Build a rich relationship with God, be generous, and trust the Lord in all
you do.
