The Bridge Austin

Missionary martyr Jim Elliot famously wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Those words capture a vision of life that values eternal reward over temporary success—and they’re being lived out today in an unexpected place: the NFL.

When many people think of professional athletes, generosity may not be the first word that comes to mind. But Kirk Cousins, a 4-time Pro Bowl quarterback, is quietly challenging that assumption. For Cousins, faith isn’t a compartment—it’s the lens through which he approaches football, finances, family, and the future.

Kirk often points back to his upbringing as a pastor’s kid. His parents modeled two complementary virtues: careful stewardship and open-handed generosity. Budgets mattered. Overspending was avoided. But when it came to helping others, generosity was practiced freely.

That example left a lasting impression. As Kirk puts it, generosity was caught, not just taught. Watching his parents hold money loosely prepared him for a future where financial decisions would come with far greater stakes—and far greater temptation.

When Kirk entered the NFL, the learning curve was steep. His first signing bonus—a six-figure check—was unlike anything he had ever seen. Unsure how to handle it, he called his dad for advice, only to discover they were navigating unfamiliar territory together.

That moment marked the beginning of a stewardship journey that continues today. From the start, Kirk committed to simple but demanding principles: give first, save wisely, and live within bounds. Practicing those habits early helped anchor him when income grew and public pressure mounted.

Unlike many professions, professional athletics comes with a built-in expiration date. That reality creates a unique tension: the need to save aggressively while still giving generously. For Kirk, that tension has become an invitation to trust God more deeply.

Giving can feel risky when a career is visibly diminishing. Yet Kirk sees those moments as opportunities to shift the pressure off himself and back onto God—to believe that obedience and generosity create space for God to provide and direct what comes next.

One of Kirk’s most compelling insights is the distinction between religious box-checking and genuine discipleship. It’s possible, he admits, to treat giving like a checklist—do the minimum, meet the requirement, move on. But that’s not the abundant life Jesus describes.

Instead, Kirk points to Jesus’ parable of the hidden treasure. When the treasure is truly seen as valuable, surrender becomes logical, even joyful. Financial decisions don’t lead the heart; the heart leads the finances. When Christ is the treasure, generosity follows naturally.

Scripture doesn’t give a universal percentage or spending rule for believers. That absence is intentional—it drives us to prayer and discernment. Kirk and his wife, Julie, continue to wrestle with what “enough” looks like for their family, recognizing that the answer requires humility, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit's leading.

Money, Kirk says, is a tool—a test, a testimony, and a means to an end. Growth without purpose risks becoming a search for control rather than an instrument for Kingdom impact. The question isn’t just how much is being accumulated, but why.

One of the most formative pieces of advice Kirk received early in his career was simple: always give in unity with your wife. That principle has shaped every major giving decision he and Julie make.

Disagreement isn’t ignored—it’s prayed through. Spousal unity, Kirk believes, is often a channel through which God provides clarity and protection. Generosity practiced together strengthens both stewardship and

In the good ol’ days, “getting ahead” required the simple discipline of spending less than you earned. But today’s financial landscape requires far more sophistication. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress shares timeless wisdom from God’s Word regarding work and finances that applies to any generation.

To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate.

What will heaven be like? That’s a question many people ponder. And with some people experiencing glimpses of heaven when they have been close to death, we hear descriptions that exceed the boundaries of our imagination. In this Best of 2025 episode, Pam Farrel shares her vision of heaven as a result of a medically-induced coma, while expert John Burke backs up her experience with his near-death experience research and stories. It’s a fascinating discussion—full of hope and wonder—that you don’t want to miss!

Receive the Imagine Heaven bundle plus a free audio download of “Envisioning What Heaven Will Be Like” for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

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Is it possible to measure generosity? Chip continues his series “The Genius of Generosity” and reveals how you can actually measure your generosity.

Fact #1 – God blesses generous people! -Acts 20:35; Lk. 6:38; Pr. 22:9, 19:17, Dt. 24:19; Pr. 3:9-10, 11:24-25

Fact #2 – God provides clear criteria for becoming a generous person!

1. Genuine generosity gives the FIRST and the BEST to God. -Pr. 3:9-10
2. Genuine generosity is regular and SYSTEMATIC. -1 Cor. 16:2
3. Genuine generosity is PROPORTIONAL to our income. -1 Cor. 16:2
4. Genuine generosity is SACRIFICIAL. -2 Cor 8:1-4
5. Genuine generosity is THOUGHTFUL, voluntary, and WORSHIPFUL. -2 Cor. 9:5-7

Fact #3 – is Breakthrough Concept #3: God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. (Randy Alcorn - The Treasure Principle)

Fact #4 – The key to becoming habitually generous and experience habitual happiness is FAITH!

• Faith says – Refuse to chase the wind. -Ec. 2:11
• Faith says – Enjoy God’s provision. -1 Tim. 6:19
• Faith says – God rewards those who step out and TRUST Him. -Heb. 11:6

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In this episode of The Creative Connection, Ed Young explores the concept of "simplexity"—the ability to make complex life decisions simple by aligning our "yes" with God's "yes," emphasizing the importance of prioritizing a committed relationship with Jesus, living with clear yes-or-no convictions based on scripture, and actively serving within the church community.

Why are so many of us sensitive about the matter of money and giving to the church? God intends for us to have freedom in our generosity. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8, Pastor Lutzer identifies the motivation for God's people to be generous. We have to receive a gift before we can give one.

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Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.

Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

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Life issues on the docket this year. 

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