Holy Waste | A Sermon on Extravagant Grace

What if the most meaningful acts of faith look wasteful to the world? Reflecting on 1 Kings 17:7–16 and Luke 7:36–50, this sermon explores how God's grace moves us beyond careful calculation into lives of generous love and gratitude.

In this sermon, Holy Waste, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on moments when faith calls us beyond practicality into something generous, extravagant, and deeply sacred.

Drawing from the story of the widow of Zarephath who shares her last meal with the prophet Elijah, and the unnamed woman who pours costly perfume on Jesus' feet, this message invites us to consider how encounters with God's grace inspire acts of courageous generosity and devotion.

In this episode, we reflect on:

• The meaning of "holy waste" in the life of faith

• How gratitude for God's grace leads to extravagant love

• Why faith sometimes calls us beyond practicality

• How generosity and worship reshape our understanding of time and value

When we encounter God's grace, we are invited to pour out the "alabaster jar" of our lives—the gifts, time, and love we have been given—in acts of gratitude and compassion.

Preached on March 8, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte.