Bruce and Sue Osterink Generous Giving Ministry Young Life Financial Finish Line Podcast
Finish Line Podcast Episode 108

Bruce and Sue Osterink, on the Joyful Rewards of Saying Yes in Faith

You want to steward God’s resources faithfully. But questions about generosity, calling, and impact are rarely simple.

In this conversation, you’ll hear from someone who has walked through these kinds of questions and learned along the way. Listen for the next step God may be inviting you to take.


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Meet your guide

As an affluent family with multiple homes and a successful business, Bruce and Sue Osterink were living the American dream. But God used one trip to Russia in the early nineties to begin a cascade of events that would bring a dramatic shift in their lives. The Osterinks began to hear a calling to simplify their lives and belongings so that they could be available to love others and be generous with their money, their time, and their relationships.   

Over the last thirty years, Bruce and Sue have taken some radical steps of faith and obedience that have led to some amazing stories. They are no stranger to suffering, and their journeys have impacted countless college students, young couples, and givers of many kinds. You won’t want to miss all they had to share!

What you’ll gain

  • Setting a financial finish line
  • Learning to be available to love others
  • Living simply to give generously
  • Important lessons from serving as house parents to college students
  • Making big decisions in radical obedience to God
  • The relationship between generosity and faith

Inspired? Take your next step

Financial Finish Line Pledge Step 1

Take the Finish Line Assessment

Take a brief assessment to see if you are ready for a financial finish line right now 

Financial Finish Line Pledge Step 2

Build a Finish Line from Scratch

Use the Finish Line Builder to identify the finish line that fits your season of life best

Financial Finish Line Pledge Step 3

Try a 90 Day Finish Line Experiment

Receive practical guidance and encouragement as you spend 90 days with a finish line.

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Play the Game of Life Simulator

Not ready for the assessment? Try a quick interactive simulator to see how you stack up in managing wealth.

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Inspired? Take your next step

Try the Game of Life Simulator

Step into a four-minute interactive experience and see what unfolds as you decide how to manage your resources.

Start the Game
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot

Inspired? Learn how to partner with ministries well.

A compelling ministry story can inspire you to respond. But wise partnership often begins with better questions.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Focus

What is the ministry really seeking to restore?

Learn to look beyond visible needs toward people, context, relationships, and flourishing.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Fruitfulness

How do you recognize meaningful impact?

Consider how ministries learn, evaluate their work, and pursue lasting change.

Applied Generosity Intervention Partnership Faithfulness

What does genuine ministry partnership look like?

Explore how to foster trust, alignment, and shared mission in your giving.

In our Intervention Series on the Applied Generosity Podcast, we’ll help you become a more thoughtful, discerning, and faithful partner.

Start the Series

Quotes to Remember

  • Bruce: “What God needs is people who are available to love others.”
  • Bruce: “Our generosity started with our money, but as we began to understand what God was calling us to more and more, we understood that it wasn’t just our money. It was our time, it was our life. It wasn’t only what we gave away, but what we did with what God allowed us to hold on to.”
  • Bruce: “Unity isn’t compromise, it’s finding what God wants for us.”
  • Bruce: “It’s been interesting to be able to look back and see that had we made a plan, we would have had nothing in our plan of what was God’s plan.”
  • Sue: “Why say ‘no?’ That’s kind of our philosophy. We tend to say ‘yes,’ very seldom say ‘no,’ as long as we feel it’s a good investment in the Kingdom.
  • Bruce: “We would much rather give our money away than spend it.”
  • Sue: “Pick your lifestyle before you make any money.”
  • Bruce: “Pray about your lifestyle. And whatever lifestyle God calls you to, you don’t change it because you get a raise. You change it when God tells you to.”

Links from the Show

Bible References from the Show

Acts 4:32 | Unity Among Brethren  

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.

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Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.
Generosity Profile Image
Enter your information below and we’ll send you our free PDF guide to explore the specific adventure you were called into.
Generosity Profile Image

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