Foundations of the Faith

Lesson 10 – Stewardship

Introduction

• "Stewardship" means to hold something in trust for someone else. For the Christian, it means that God is the owner of all He has given us, and we are simply the managers.

• One day we will give an account of our stewardship. Our future reward will be in relationship to our faithfulness as stewards (Matthew 25:14-30).

Key Verse

• "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy." 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Stewardship of Time

We do not all have equal talents or equal money, but we all have equal time.

Invest Your Time

• We invest our time for God’s work.

– “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” John 9:4

• Wise people use their time well.

– “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

• Using opportunities for ministry to non-believers is a wise use of time.

– “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

Evaluate Your Time Priorities

How much time do you spend each day watching television or surfing the net?

How much time to you spend each day reading newspapers, magazines, novels, etc.?

How much time do you spend in leisure activities (fishing, hunting, boating, tennis, golf, biking, etc.)?

How much time do you spend each day reading the Bible?

How much time do you spend each day in prayer?

How much time do you spend each day working at your job?

How much time do you spend with your family?

How much time do you give serving in the ministry for the Lord's church?

If you are to be a good steward of your time, what are some activities you can give up or reduce in order to give more time to things of greater priority?

Stewardship of Talents

Talents should not be confused with spiritual gifts. Talents are things that are acquired by discipline and hard work, includes abilities, or acquired skills, like playing the piano.

Giving God Glory

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us we are to glorify God in all we do.

– “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

• Our talents should be used to bring God glory. Paul used his ability to make tents to finance his ministry. (Acts 18:1-5)

• The Member to Minister Seminar explores using your talents for ministry purposes.

Stewardship of Treasures

Bible Survey

• Sixteen of 38 parables in the gospels address how we handle our money.

• Jesus spoke more about money and possessions than He did about heaven and hell combined.

• In the gospels, one out of ten verses (288 verses) deals with money or possessions.

• In the Bible there are more than 2,000 references to money or possessions compared to over 500 references to prayer and less than 500 references to faith.

Right Attitude Toward God

• God is the owner of all the money and material goods we possess.

– Psalm 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord's and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it."

– Haggai 2:8 says, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine declares the Lord of Hosts."

– According to Deuteronomy 8:18, God gives us the power to make money.

Right Attitude Toward Money

• Desiring riches is dangerous

– “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:9

• The love of money causes spiritual damage

– “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Proper Pursuit of Money

• Labor for it

– In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

– For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11

– Beware of "get-rich-quick" schemes which promise much money or little work.

Right Attitude Toward Giving

• Since God is the owner of all our money, we should use it in a way that honors Him.

• God's word teaches that we should be givers.

• God's nature is to give, and that should be our nature too. As we renew our minds, the selfish attitude for our old nature can be transformed to a giving attitude reflective of our new nature.

Jesus on Giving

• His Teaching

– “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

• His Example

– “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

• His Promise

– "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38

The Reward of Giving

• Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

• Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

OT Principles of Giving

• Both Required and Freewill Giving

– Required Giving = Tithes (10%)

First tithe each year for the Levites (Leviticus 27:30-33)

Second tithe each year funded national holidays and religious feasts (Deuteronomy 12:16-17; 14:22-27)

Third tithe was given every third year for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29)

• Both Required and Freewill Giving

– The three tithes averaged out to be 23 1/3% each year. It funded both their government (Priests governed) and their "church."

– In addition to the required giving in the Old Testament there was a freewill giving (Exodus 25:1-2; 35:5, 21; 36:5-7; Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 11:24-25A)

NT Principles of Giving

• Both Required and Freewill Giving

– We are required to pay our taxes (Romans 13:7), and we are to give freely to support the Lord's work.

– Though a percentage is never stated in the New Testament, there are Biblical principles to follow.

• Our giving should be generous

– 2 Corinthians 8:2 “Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity.”

• Our giving should be sacrificial

– 2 Corinthians 8:3 “For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will.”

• Our giving should be motivated by love

– 2 Corinthians 8:8 “I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real.”

• Our giving should be cheerful

– 2 Corinthians 9:7 “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.”

• Our giving should be regular

– 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

• Our giving should represent a worthy investment with God

– Matthew 6:19-21, 24 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

OT Law vs. NT Grace

• We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14).

– Under the Law, specific percentages governed the amount given back to God.

– Giving under grace acknowledges God owns it all and we determine how much we will keep back for ourselves so that our giving is commensurate with our gratitude and love for Him and our desire to see His purposes accomplished on earth.

Biblical Financial Management

• Avoid greed

– “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10

• We should be aware of the pitfalls of instant gratification and be able to distinguish between needs and wants.

• There is no correlation between wealth and happiness.

• Operate on cash basis, not credit.

– "The borrower becomes a slave to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7)

• It is wise to avoid getting into bondage to creditors.

– Avoid the "Can I make the monthly payment?” mentality. A good principle to follow is: do not borrow money for depreciating items (such as clothing, furniture, vacations, Christmas gifts, appliances, etc.).

• Do not spend all you make -- save

– Proverbs 21:20 “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.”

• Avoid hasty decisions

– Proverbs 21:5 “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

• Learn to be content

– 1 Timothy 6:6-7 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.”

• Be willing to work

– Proverbs 21:17 “He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.”

Conclusion

• As stewards God has entrusted to us our time, talents, and treasure. We will give account to Him for how we manage what He has entrusted us. Evaluate how you are investing in His kingdom with all your life.

• Luke 16:10-11 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”