CHURCH LIFE CLASS
STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCES
PREFACE: Stewardship is the realization and practice of God’s ownership of every area of our lives. It is
a divine-human partnership, with God as the senior partner. It is the recognition of God’s
ownership of one’s person, one’s powers, and one’s possessions and the faithful use of these
for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in this world.
I. STEWARDSHIP IS A FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE IN DISCIPLESHIP
A. Jesus taught his disciples the idea of stewardship. Lk 16:1-13
B. What is a steward?
Steward - Greek “oikonomon” - One charged with the administration of the affairs of the true owner.
The steward is a manager.
A steward is not the owner. When we become Christians, God takes ownership of our lives.
I Cor 6:20 “For you have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.”
God then makes us responsible for the administration of the affairs of His property (all our lives).
Mt 25:14-19 Parable of people given talents.
We become accountable for something we possess but do not own.
Paul reflected this mentality regarding the ministry He received from the Lord. Eph 3:1-2; I Cor 1:25; I Cor 9:16-17
C. Areas of our life that have been entrusted to us in stewardship.
1. Life - what we have received.
2. Time - What we have been allotted.
3. Possessions - What has been entrusted to us.
4. Talents - What we have been given to use.
5. Finances - What we have labored for.
D. Main difficulty in stewardship/Where we err the most.
We possess something for which we will give account but it is easy to assume ownership.
The main requirement for stewardship is faithfulness. I Cor 4:1-2
Faithful - Steadfast, dedicated, dependable, and worthy of trust.
II. STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCES
A. What the Bible has to say about money.
1. The love of money is the root of all evil. I Tim 6:7-10
2. The Gospels contain more warnings against money and it’s misuse than any other subject.
3. 1 in every 4 verses in Matthew, Mark, and Luke deals with money.
4. 1 in every 6 verses in the N.T. as a whole deals with or has reference to money in one way or
another.
5. Almost 1/2 of the Parables of Jesus have reference to money in one way or another.
6. The first apostle to fall was over the love of money. Jn 12:4-8: Acts 13:27-29; Acts 1:25
7. The first sin in the early church was concerning money. Acts 5:1-10
B. A main battleground we fight on as disciples is freedom from the love of money.
Mammon (finances) is an idol that disciples are tempted to serve. Jesus said that you cannot serve
God and mammon. Mt 6:24. Discipleship has to hit our pocketbook.
The love of money drives us toward a covetous spirit - inordinate desire to hoard or obtain finances.
An inordinate spirit is the opposite quality of biblical contentment which we should aim for.
C. General guidelines for stewards handling finances.
1. Stewards avoid the drive to lay up treasures on earth. Mt 6:19-21
2. Stewards see prosperity as from God. Dt 29:9
3. Stewards avoid debt. Prov 22:7; Rom 13:8
4. Stewards are careful about the type of financial business transactions they enter into. Prov 6:1-5;
Prov 22:26. They are especially careful about co-signing.
5. Stewards are industrious not lazy. Heb 6:12; Prov 24:30-31; 2 Thes 3:4-13
6. Stewards recognize God’s ownership of their finances and give first fruits of finances to honor
Him. Prov 3:9-10
III. STEWARDSHIP AND GIVING
A. The Old Testament order for giving.
O.T. financial order in tithing. It provides examples for us. l Cor 10.
The first tithe or Lord’s tithe. Lev 27:30-33; Num 18:21; Neh 10:37. The 12 tribes tithed to the
Lord and the income was given to support the priestly ministry of the tribe of Levi. They had no
inheritance and were supported by the other tribes.
The second tithe. Dt 12:5-14, 17; 14:22-26. This tithe was brought to the Lord’s House and was
used to cover expenses at the national times of feasts. It was so the people could attend the Feast
of the Lord.
The third tithe. Dt 14:28-29; 26:12-14. Every third year a tithe was given to support those in
need, the stranger, the fatherless, the widow, the Levite. It was much like a saints relief fund.
This pattern carried over in the N.T. I Tim 5:10; Acts 11:29; 2 Cor 9; Rom 15:26.
Additional self imposed tithes/offerings:
Government tithe. I Sam 18:10-22. When Israel chose a king they imposed a tax tithe used for the upkeep of the kingdom. 2 Kings 23:25
Tithe of the people. Neh 11:1-2. In the time of restoration from Babylon they took a tithe of the people to be used in the Lord’s work at Jerusalem.
The people of God also gave various offerings such as Burnt Offerings, Heave Offerings, and Freewill Offerings.
B. New Testament financial order.
Jesus taught tithing. Mt 23:23; Lk 11:42. Jesus didn’t condemn Pharisees for tithing but for
omitting the weightier matters.
2. Jesus taught giving. Lk 6:38; Lk 21:1-4
3. The writer of Hebrews taught tithing. Melchisedek, Heb 6&7
4. Paul taught the principles of tithing like OT to support the ministry. I Cor 9:1-14
5. Paul taught principles of giving like the OT tithe, a collection for the relief of the saints
I Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8: 9
C. Finances and Storehouse. Mal 3:8-10
The children of Israel were instructed to bring their tithes/offerings and freewill offerings to the
place where He would cause His name to dwell - His house, sanctuary. Dt 12:5-7, 10-12.
2. The idea of storehouse was renewed under King Hezekiah. 2 Chron 31:6-10
It was a time of renewal in Israel to return to the giving of tithes and offerings for the support of
the ministry of the temple.
3. According to the Biblical pattern, the storehouse, the Temple, and the House of God, is the Local
Church. It is the House of God. I Tim 3:10; Eph 2:10-22; Pet 2:4-6.
It is the House and Temple of God where the ministry is to feed and care for the people. Finances
enable the priest to minister to the Lord, and study the word in order to spiritually feed the people.
See Acts 6.
Finances in the storehouse were administered by the priest. I Chron 31:12-19. We see this
pattern in Acts 4:37.
The purpose of giving and of the storehouse is that there would be meat (resources) in God’s
House (Mal. 3:8-10) to support the work of caring for God’s people.