Financial Stewardship
We cannot fully understand the Gospel nor take on the nature of Father without understanding giving.
John 3:16 For God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and only son…”
God is love (I John 4:16) and his love is associated with giving.
Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
MONEY MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. I Tim 6:7-10
The Gospels contain more warnings against money and its misuse than any other subject.
1 in every 4 verses in Matthew, Mark, and Luke deals with money.
1 in every 6 verses in the N.T. deals with or has reference to money in one way or another.
Almost 1/2 of the Parables of Jesus have reference to money in one way or another.
The first apostle to fall was over the love of money. Jn 12:4-8: Acts 13:27-29; Acts 1:25
The first sin in the early church was concerning money. Acts 5:1-10
2350 times money/stewardship is mentioned in the Bible.
THE LAW OF GENEROSITY. (Matt 7:11; Rom 8:32; 1 Cor 2:12; James 1:5, 17)
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete
earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Cor 8:7)
The Law of Generosity: the principle that whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Cor 9:6)
Abraham (Genesis 14:8-20; Hebrews 7:1-2).
Israel (Exodus 25:1-8; 36:2-7; 1 Chronicles 29:1-9).
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).
Early Christians (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
Macedonian church (2 Corinthians 8:1-4).
Philippian church (Philippians 4:15-18; see also 1 John 3:17-18).
STEWARDSHIP IS A FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE IN DISCIPLESHIP.
God doesn’t NEED anything from you.
Ownership is with God, Stewardship is with us
100% of Everything belongs to God!!
Ps 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it
Steward – Greek “oikonomon” – one charged with the administration of the affairs of the true owner. The steward is a manager. We are entrusted to steward/manage
Life - what we have received. (Including our bodies & health)
Time - What we have been allotted.
Possessions - What has been entrusted to us.
Talents - What we have been given to use.
Finances - What we have labored for.
WHAT IS A “TITHE”?
“Tithe” comes from a Hebrew word which means tenth. A tithe of one’s income (or increase); therefore, is one-tenth (10%). Tithing refers to the practice of systematically giving 10% of one’s income back to the Lord for His work.
Tithing was the common practice of holy men of God in Old Testament days.
Prior to the giving of the law, God’s people tithed voluntarily.
Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20)
Jacob gave a tenth at Bethel (Genesis 14:18-20)
When God gave the law to Moses, tithing was a major part of His overall financial system (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:20-32)
Jesus confirmed tithing in His teaching and practice (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Hebrews 7:1-21)
Luke 11:42 “You Pharisees are hypocrites! For you are obsessed with peripheral issues, like paying meticulous tithes on the smallest herbs that grow in your gardens.[a] Of course, these matters you should do, but when you unjustly cheat others, you ignore the most important duty of all: to walk in the love of God.[b] Readjust your values and place first things first.
Tithings is to serve as a reminder that all we have comes from and belongs to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:11, 17-18)
Tithing and giving is God’s cure for covetousness. (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 4:28)
Tithings is the beginning of our giving (Deuteronomy 12:6). Freewill offerings and giving to the poor should also be part of our giving (Galatians 2:10)
WARNINGS & MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING MONEY
The Bible clearly teaches us that money is not evil, but the love of money more than our love for God will cause us to stumble in the area of covetousness. (Covet – to desire something and want to take it for yourself).
We are warned not to make the accumulation of wealth our main ambition in life. (Luke
12:16-21; 1 Timothy 6:9).
We are warned not to value material gain above spiritual gain (I Timothy 6:6, 11)
We are warned that a love for money will end in destruction (I Timothy 6:9-11)
Some say you can give money wherever you want but God says there’s a designated place (Deuteronomy 12:5, 6, 13, 14)
Some say that you can designate on your envelope where the tithe is to be used, but God says the tithe is to go for the service of His house (Numbers 18:21-24).
Some say you can borrow your tithes and pay them back later, but God says if you do borrow them, when you pay them back, you must add a fifth more to the initial tithe (Leviticus 27:31).
Some say that God doesn’t care what we give, only how we give, but God says that He is concerned with both (Mark 12:41-44; Matthew 5:20).
WHAT ARE SOME CLEAR NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD GOVERN OUR GIVING?
The New Testament, in every case elevates the Old Testament practices to a higher and more spiritual level. Rather than giving merely because we have to, there are other factors that believers need to consider. We should give:
Ourselves to the Lord first (II Corinthians 8:5)
Willingly (II Corinthians 8:3, 12)
Cheerfully (II Corinthians 9:7)
Generously, liberally (II Corinthians 8:2; 9:13)
Proportionately (II Corinthians 16:1-2)
Regularly (II Corinthians 9:7)
Systematically (II Corinthians 9:7)
Lovingly (II Corinthians 8:24)
Thankfully (II Corinthians 9:11, 12)
Sacrificially (Hebrews 13:16)
As a Ministry to the Lord and His saints (II Corinthians 9:12, 13).
WHAT ARE SIX SURPRISES THAT A TITHER CAN EXPECT TO FIND?
A systematic tither is going to be surprised:
At the deepening of their spiritual life in paying the tithe.
At the ease in meeting obligations with nine-tenths.
At the amount of money that they have for the Lord’s work.
At the ease in going from one-tenth to larger giving.
At the preparation that tithing gives to a faithful and wise steward over the remainder of his income
At yourself for not adopting the plan sooner!
Malachi 3:8-11 NIV
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.