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What is Stewardship?
Psalms 24:1-2 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”
They say a great definition of worship is tied up in the idea that God is great, and worship is just acting accordingly. We acknowledge His greatness. Stewardship is similar. The Scripture says God owns all things, stewardship is just acknowledging that and simply living like God owns it all. What would change in your finances if you thought of yourself as the manager of what God has given you to manage, and He is the owner of all that you “own”?
We would like for you to consider becoming a Generous Steward. That requires a few things.
1. To be generous is to give of your finances to advance God’s Kingdom
2. To be well-managed in your finances
3. To be God- centered in your finances
1) Are you God-centered in your finances? To what would you point to prove this ?
2) Are you well-managed in your finances?
- Do you have a WORKING BUDGET? See Proverbs 21:5.
- Are you reaching your GIVING goals? See 2 Corinthian 9:6-7.
- Are you SAVING for the future? See Proverbs 21:20.
- Are you MANAGING DEBT well? See Proverbs 22:7.
- Are you protecting your family with INSURANCES? See Proverbs 27:12.
- Are you protecting your family with an ESTATE PLAN? See Proverbs 13:22.
- Do you have INTEGRITY IN YOUR FINANCIAL DEALINGS? See Proverbs 28:6.
3) Are you generous toward God’s Kingdom?
The average believer is giving 1-3% of their income. And this is a huge issue in the Church with our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission. What is your goal in generosity? How has it changed over the last few years?
● Psalms 24:1-2
● Genesis 12:1-3
● 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
● Proverbs 3:9-10
● Numbers 18:25-32
● Proverbs 11:25
● Malachi 3:6-10
● John 3:16
● Matthew 6:19-21
● Matthew 25:14-30
● Mark 12:41-44
● Luke 6:38
● Luke 11:42
● 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
● Ephesians 1:7-8
● Philippians 1:3-5; 4:15-19
● 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Where should we invest Kingdom Funds?
In the New Testament, there are at least seven key areas believers are expected to give. A helpful acronym to remember is WELCOME.
● Widows and orphans- James 1:27
● Elderly parents- I Timothy 5:3-16 (focus vs 8), Mark 7:9-13
● The local church- Acts 4:36-37, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Acts 13:1-3 , 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Galatians 6:6-10, I Timothy 5:3-16
● Other Christians- Acts 2:43-47, 4:32-35, 6:1-6; 2 Corinthians 8, 2 Corinthians 9, James 2:14-17, 1 John 3:16-18
● The poor- Matthew 6:2-4
● Missions- 1 Corinthian 9, 3 John 5-8 , Romans 15:22-24, Acts 15:3, Titus 3:13-14, 1 Corinthians 16:5-6
● Personal Evangelism and Discipleship- Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Matthew 5:13-16 , Hebrews 13:2, Ephesians 2:10
Making it Personal: What is God Teaching Me on Giving?
● “Am I being generous?”
● “How am I investing in each of the key areas listed above?”
● “Am I following the Lord’s leading in generosity?”
● “Am I cheerful in my giving?”
● How do you feel about giving?
● What is your goal for yourself or your family?
● What’s the next step?
We need to identify how much God wants us to give, and then pray about where He wants us to give His money.
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