The Women Who Followed (and Funded) Jesus' Ministry with Sharon Epps

Some of the earliest financial supporters of Jesus’ ministry were women.Luke 8:1–3 introduces us to Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and “many others” who traveled with Jesus and the Twelve. Luke adds a remarkable detail: these women were supporting Jesus’ ministry “out of their means.”Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors and one of the founders of Women Doing Well, points to their story as a powerful picture of generosity. These women didn’t simply contribute resources to a cause. They had encountered Jesus personally, received His grace, and responded by using what they had to serve Him and others.Their example reminds us that Christian generosity begins not with what we give to God, but with what we have already received from Him.Generosity Begins With ReceivingLuke tells us that these women had experienced Jesus’ healing and restoration. Mary Magdalene had been delivered from seven demons, while others had been healed of diseases and afflictions. Then, having received from Jesus, they gave.“God always pours into us first,” Epps explains. “Our breath, our skills, our life, and our resources are all gifts from Him.”That changes the starting point for generosity. We don’t give to earn God’s favor or repay Him for His grace. We give because His grace has already been freely given to us.Everything we possess—our money, abilities, opportunities, relationships, and time—ultimately comes from God. When we begin there, generosity becomes less about meeting an obligation and more about faithfully responding to what we have received.Turning Our Attention OutwardAn old Latin phrase, incurvatus in se, means “curved in on oneself.” It describes the human tendency to turn inward and make life primarily about ourselves. That temptation can become especially strong when life feels exhausting.Epps uses the playful word “exhausterwhelmulated”—exhausted, overwhelmed, and overstimulated—to describe how many people feel today. When we’re depleted, our instinct can be to turn inward and focus almost exclusively on our own needs.But remembering God’s care gives us another way forward.“When we can breathe in God’s care, we can resist the self-focus and actually flow outward,” Epps says. “Let His generosity flow through us, even when life feels heavy.”Generosity invites us to notice the people God has placed around us. It turns our attention outward—not because our own needs don’t matter, but because God’s provision frees us to see beyond ourselves.Stewarding More Than MoneyThe women of Luke 8 also remind us that faithful stewardship extends beyond financial giving.Today, women can use their resources, work, relationships, businesses, investments, experience, and influence for others' good. That might mean supporting a local ministry, operating a business with integrity, investing in ways that promote human flourishing, mentoring someone who needs guidance, or simply responding to a need close to home.“We can use our positions and relationships as part of God’s work of restoration,” Epps says.God entrusts each of us with different resources and opportunities. Faithful stewardship asks how we might use those gifts in love of God and neighbor.Start With One Faithful StepFor someone who wants to become more generous but already feels stretched, the answer doesn’t have to be a dramatic financial commitment. Epps encourages women to begin by remembering who they are.“You are a daughter of the King,” she says. “Pause long enough to breathe in His love and acknowledge that He’s our ultimate provider. Then look for just one small, concrete way you can share.”Perhaps it’s meeting a need you notice today. Maybe it’s offering your time, sharing your expertise, encouraging someone, or giving financially where you’re able.The women of Luke 8 show us that generosity begins with receiving. They encountered the grace of Christ and responded by faithfully using what had been entrusted to them. Their names appear in only a few verses, but their generosity helped support a ministry that would change the world. And their example still invites us to ask: What has God graciously entrusted to me, and how might I use it today for the good of others?To read more content on women and faithful stewardship, explore the special edition of Faithful Steward Magazine by becoming a FaithFi partner at FaithFi.com/Give.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I own several renovated rental properties that I bought very cheaply and hoped to leave to my family. Should I place them in a trust so they pass to my wife and children, or sell them now and move the money into more passive investments?I retired this year and didn’t withhold enough for taxes. How does the IRS handle underpayment, and should I expect penalties?I’m 68 and setting aside money in an IRA for my granddaughter’s future. What’s the best way to make sure that money keeps growing and ultimately goes to her? Should it be in her name, or can I keep it in my IRA and name family members to manage it later?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerFaithful Steward Special Edition: Women & Wealth (Issue 7)SavingForCollege.com Women Doing WellFaithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. 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