Christian Stewardship

Transcription

1 DATE CLIENT NAME

2 + Christian Stewardship UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP THE DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 23 APRIL 2017 KNIGHTS MONUMENTAL AME CHURCH

3 Prayer Keeping it timely with several presenters: Please note we will have time for comments and/or questions at the end. Write it down and share it during the Q&A session at the end. Saving time with note-taking: Please note that all materials for this Keynotes presentation is already included within your handout - and an electronic copy of the presentation and handout will be sent to you via from KMAMEC. I have already sent an to the KMAMEC church address with the information; we will ask Sister Keysler Walker to send it to the KMAMEC membership. So you can listen and not be distracted by writing everything down.

4 The earth is the LORD s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24) In the beginning of Genesis, God creates everything and puts Adam in the Garden to work it and to take care of it. It is clear that man was created to work and that work is the stewardship of all of the creation that God has given him.

5 Jesus also taught about trust and honesty in handling money. 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? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else s property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16:10-12)

6 Many Christians today only associate the idea of stewardship with sermons they have heard about church budgets and building programs, but stewardship is about something much more expansive. Understanding Christian stewardship and its cruciality within our lives will change the way we make daily decisions - and that is the goal of this presentation - to become better stewards for Christ - all of us!

7 As we listen to this presentation, these words on stewardship, sometimes referred to as tithing or evangelism, and sometimes called discipleship, is something different. I believe that the concepts are interconnected, and they do intersect, but Christian stewardship is specific and transcendent; it permeates everything that we do and the way we live.

8 What does The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2012 state: PART II: SECTION VII. Stewardship: Tithes and Offerings (Rules for Giving) Tithing shall be the official doctrinal stewardship position of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Every church shall work toward a full tithing commitment.

9 The numerous benefits derived from membership in the Christian church, which is the very body of Christ, impose upon each member the responsibility of Christian stewardship, which is the stewardship of all life as manifested in our time, talents, and treasure. [W]e are bound to conclude that each member of the church is a steward.

10 We hold that time, talents, and treasure are gifts of God committed to us and the use to which we put these determines whether we are good and faithful stewards or careless and unprofitable ones (Matthew 25: 14-30). God is the sovereign owner and ruler of this world. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land (Psalm 95: 5).

11 For these so great benefits and such high an honor and dignity, God requires that we use our time, our talents, and our money for his benefit and glory. For every steward must use the things committed in his hands, not for his own personal glory but for the glory of the owner to whom he must finally account (Matthew 25: 27).

12 The stewards of the local church, Commission on Stewardship and Finance and/or the Christian Education Department shall provide all members with appropriate brochures, tracts, and other information and literature on the subject of tithing at least once each quarter.

13 Stewardship can be an act of love, a response to His love. "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1) This is the fundamental principle. God owns everything, we are simply managers or administrators acting on his behalf.

14 The Definition: The word, stewardship, simply means to manage someone else's property. For the Christian, as Scripture proclaims everything belongs to God, we manage the property of our Lord. Since everything belongs to Christ, we need to have the attitude and view that our things are His things, our stuff is His stuff, that all we could have now, all we have lost, all we will have, is His, including our very bodies and spiritual gifts.

15 That means all that we are and all that we have are not really ours to begin with. They belong to God. It means to manage everything to the best of our abilities for His glory (1 Cor. 4:2). The duty of the Christian is to learn how to become responsible stewards of our Lord's resources entrusted into our care. It means to manage everything to the best of our abilities for His glory (1 Cor. 4:2).

16 Verses on Stewardship Psalm 24:1 Proverbs 3:9-10 Romans 12:6 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6: Corinthians 8-9 Ephesians 5:15-16 James 1:17

17 The discussion on Christian stewardship can sometimes send the average congregation and common churchgoer into fear and panic, from the leadership and pastorate, that fears to offend or drive people away, to the church member who may be too far stretched in time and giving, and cannot give anymore, to the person who does not want to be convicted, lest he be forced to reach for the sacred will of his wallet or the exercise of His call, but Christian stewardship is a reflection of our spiritual condition!

18 Are we good stewards? Back to the Definition: to manage, supervise, be entrusted with something. So what are Christian stewards overseeing? Our time, our money, our God given gifts and abilities, our influence, our physical bodies, our homes, our children, our pets. It all comes from God.

19 Think of the Parable of the Talents: Good stewards took risks and actions in order to multiply what they have been given. Luke 12:4: From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted much, much more will be asked.

20 Christian Stewardship and Finances Finances are a key area in Christian stewardship. Are you okay giving your energy, time, and sharing abilities but not your money? I came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing - NO THING in my possession.

21 Let us restate the foundational principle of Christian stewardship. Psalm 24:1: The earth is the lord s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Remember: For the Christian, everything belongs to God. Everything is His including our bodies and our spiritual gifts. We are lessees of property, money, talents, time, and our lives.

22 As Christian stewards, our duty is to learn how to become responsible stewards of the Lord s resources entrusted into our care. It means to manage everything to the best of our abilities for His glory.

23 What does the Bible say on Christian stewardship? I Corinthians 4:2 Proverbs 3:9-10 Romans 12:3-8 1 Corinthians 4: 1-2; 6:19-20 Ephesians 5: Psalm 24:1 Acts 20:35 2 Cor. 9:7 James 1:17 Matthew 6: Peter 4:10 Hebrews 6:10; 13:16

24 Remember: Our Christian stewardship is a reflection of our spiritual condition. How do my priorities line up with God s? Stewardship is the attitude of gratitude, being thankful in all things, even when we do not feel gratitude or see it.

25 We must never separate money and finances from our spiritual life. What is Christian stewardship succinctly? Stewardship honors God with all our relationships and resources. Stewardship is a priority to take what we have and put it to good use.

26 Stewardship is exercising the gifts that he gives - not letting them waste away. Stewardship is being His servant; it is understanding who we are in Him and being grateful, content in that fact. Are you willing to put forth that effort to please Him - to do His will?

27 Stewardship means you recognize that His grace is sufficient and to know the church is not a physical building - the Body of Christ gathers to worship but leaves to minister, to be missionaries, to be witnesses, for evangelism. Stewardship is being wise to the ways of the world, so we do not fall prey to it.

28 Being a good Christian steward is the best form of evangelism and discipleship for the church. Christian stewardship pervades every aspect of our lives: finances, family, ministry, the church, and community.

29 Are you giving what's right, or what's left? We should never separate money and finances from our spiritual life. Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17-18

30 Christian Stewardship Calling: The principle of ownership - FINANCES & RESOURCES - Theme: Stewardship and Finances in Our Personal Lives and in the Church: Brother Joe Herron, Steward, Sons of Allen FINANCES & RESOUCES Calling: The principle of ownership - FINANCES & RESOURCES - Theme: Stewardship and Finances in Personal Lives and the Church: Brother Joe

31 Brother Herron s Statement on Finance & Resources: A key question is "What does stewardship look like in our lives today"? Unfortunately many Christians today only associate the idea of stewardship with sermons they have heard about church budgets and building programs. But, the idea of biblical stewardship is about something much more expansive. I believe it is where the concepts of faith, work and economics intersect. We are called as God's steward to manage that which belongs to God well. While God has graciously entrusted us with the care, development, and enjoyment of everything he owns as his stewards, we are responsible to manage his holding (our monies) well and according to his desires and purposes. However, stewardship not only applies to church members but also to the church. In the same way that individuals are accountable for how they invest the resources God has given them, church and ministries are also responsible for how they steward the gifts that come into their storehouse.

32 Ponder this: Do not include the tithe in your budget. Make your budget on the net assets you have after the tithe and taxes. Then, you will have a more realistic budget and keep yourself from getting into debt. That way, it is done and out of the way. Then, carefully decide to whom and where it should go. The primary responsibility is first to your local church, and second to ministries that are doing the Lord's work. Remember, the people who set aside the first fruits of their resources to God are dedicating themselves to God, and not themselves to themselves.

33 We must allocate the resources that God places in our care. All areas in our life of work, family, learning, relationships, spiritual gifts, and resources will come through our obedience or our laziness to God s glory or to waste.

34 Stewardship means knowing that God is concerned with us personally--what we go through, deal with, and how we manage what He entrusts to us. Stewardship is the commitment of one s self and possessions to God s service, recognizing that we do not have the right of control over our property or ourselves.

35 Christian Stewardship Calling: The principle of responsibility - FAMILY - Theme: Stewardship of Wives, Mothers, and the Modern Family: Dr. Monica Herron, Steward, Director of Music DATE CLIENT DATE NAME PROJECT

36 Stewardship is the comfort of knowing that everything comes from God. He gives us our clarity and the vision and character of what to be and do. We can trust in Him, and not in our materialistic goods.

37 Membership in today s modern church involves a commitment to worship the Lord. Members should be accountable to walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord and be a witness to the Christian Stewardship truth of Christ. Calling: PROJECT The principle of accountability - MINISTRY - Theme: Stewardship and Ministry of the Modern AME Church: Reverend Cynthia Strickland, Ministerial Board of KMAMEC DATE DATE CLIENT NAME

38 Again, understanding Christian stewardship succinctly What about our time? Does Christian stewardship leave time for important things, such as relationships and ministry? Stewardship is the wise use of our materialistic goods and abilities, as well as with our time.

39 Stewardship is recognizing our gifts and abilities as well as opportunities, then exercising the responsibility of their care. It is also cooperation with other stewards, to work as a team. What are the gifts and abilities you have?

40 Christian Stewardship PROJECT DATE Calling: The principle of reward - BLESSINGS - Theme: Stewardship of our Talents and Gifts: Mother Nellie B. Densley, Steward, Stewardess, Intercessory Prayer, Church School DATE CLIENT NAME

41 Like the servants in the Parable of the Talents, we will be called to give an account of how we have administered everything we have been given, including our time, money, abilities, information, wisdom, relationships, and authority.

42 Learning What It Means to Give Cheerfully! How do you feel when churches, ministries, or even missionaries seek you, asking for funds? Do you cringe and make the quickest possible exit, or do you see those requests as opportunities to serve? A lot of people run away from stewardship because they do not see it as God does. This is a reflection of our spiritual condition!

43 We should never separate money and finances from our spiritual life. Yet, so many Christians do, seeking to be cheerful with what they can keep, not with how they can be used.

44 Christian Stewardship PROJECT Calling: The principle of missions - CHRISTIAN MISSIONS - DATE Theme: Stewardship of Missionary Work: Sister Charita Humphrey, Trustee, WMS President DATE CLIENT NAME

45 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 Stewardship is being neither reckless or hiding from our duty by playing it safe.

46 Stewardship is about being in community, working together and complementing one another's gifts, and abilities, and with what we can offer. It is the way we use the gifts He has given us in order to benefit the people in our church and those around us.

47 Although God gives us all things richly to enjoy, nothing is ours. Nothing really belongs to us. God owns everything; we re responsible for how we treat it and what we do with it. While we complain about our rights here on earth, the Bible constantly asks: What about your responsibilities? Owners have rights; stewards have responsibilities.

48 Christian Stewardship PROJECT DATE Calling: The foundation of community - COMMUNITIES - Theme: Stewardship in Social Action, Community Forums, and Community Involvement: Brother Dwayne Fabian, DATE Board of CLIENT Trustees, NAME Pro tem

49 While God has graciously entrusted us with the care, development, and enjoyment of everything he owns as his stewards, we are responsible to manage his holdings well and according to his desires and purposes. Stewardship is proportionate to what we are able to give.

50 Stewardship is the giving of ourselves and our resources with joy and gratitude for what we have been given. Stewardship is not something that results from a forced obligation or a bad attitude. Giving should always be cheerful! If it is not, then you are not really giving--are you?

51 Christian Stewardship Calling: The principle of outreach - OUTREACH - Theme: PROJECT Stewardship and Helping in His Name: Volunteering with Purpose: Sister Louisa Davis, Trustee, Usher, Church School DATE CLIENT DATE NAME

52 Stewardship is focusing on God and not on the material things in and of themselves. We are always to view the material world with the perspective of being God's caretaker of it. Stewardship connects everything we do with what God is doing in the world.

53 Christian Stewardship PROJECT Calling: The principle of service - BRIDGING GENERATIONS - Theme: Stewardship and Young People in the Modern AME Church: Brother Gyah Kekula, Jr., Usher, possible YPD DATE DATE CLIENT NAME

54 Stewardship is recognizing the amazing wonder and power of grace that we did not deserve. Stewardship pleases God! Stewardship is worshipping God!

55 Verses on Stewardship Proverbs 20:10; 22:7 Luke 12:15; 16: Ephesians 4:28 1 Timothy 6:10 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

56 Stewardship means not being dishonest, not rationalizing dishonesty for personal or even Kingdom gain. Stewardship is not the storing up of treasures for our comfort, for He is our comfort. Nor is it coveting what others have, even if we can rationalize it for Kingdom gain.

57 Stewardship is taking care of the small, because it is as important as the big. Stewardship is not seeking the easy way out of work, but, rather, working hard.

58 Stewardship is not loving and worshiping what we are to care for, while we forsake the One who gave it. Stewardship is the glorification of our Lord and Savior. Mark 12: Romans 12:10 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20 John 2

59 Stewardship is a sacrifice of our will. Stewardship is honoring our relationships and the people around us. Stewardship is prospering in our maturity and relationship with Christ.

60 Psalm 50: Proverbs 22:9, 28:13 Job 36:11 Isaiah. 48:17 Luke 6:38 Philippians 4:19 Stewardship means knowing that if we obey, God will bless us for it.

61 Stewardship means not covering up our sins, but confessing, and repenting. Stewardship will allow us to let God be our teacher. Stewardship means knowing that we are in community with those around us, so, we should exercise sound judgment and encouragement.

62 Stewardship means trusting in our God, who provides for our spiritual and physical needs. Stewardship sees tithing as an investment, with eternal values in mind, not a loss of temporary goods. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 2 Corinthians 8: 8-15 Mark 12: 41-44: The widow gave what she had of herself through sacrifice

63 As we begin to close our seminar, I want us to consider the Christian stewardship of our Connectional AME Church. It is a blessing to be connected. Sometimes, I have found that members want to separate the local church experience from the Connectional experience. We need both. Don t fail to realize the blessings of being a Connectional AMEC: it allows one unified church to run colleges, respond to disasters, publish books, maintain standardization of a doctrine and discipline, etc. Locally, we must be good stewards, but we must cherish the Connection as well (we must be good stewards over Morris Brown - even when its in trouble). This was a revelation for me.

64 Stewardship is a regular, normal, and daily endeavor! Think back to the beginning of our seminar. We defined a steward as one who manages the possessions of another. We are all stewards of the resources, abilities and opportunities that God has entrusted to our care, and one day each one of us will be called to give an account for how we have managed what the Master has given us.

65 Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master s happiness! Matthew 25:21 I hope that you have written any questions down. Now is the time we will answer them. Let us hear the final reflection on Christian stewardship from our pastor. He will host the question and answer session after his remarks. Thank you for taking the time to attend The Understanding Christian Stewardship seminar. To God be the glory.

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67 Christian Stewardship PROJECT DATE Calling: The overview of Understanding Christian Stewardship - FINAL THOUGHTS - Senior Pastor David A. Morrow will reflect on all the statements on Christian stewardship - and answer any questions you may have. Again, thank you for attending. The pastor will close out and DATEdismiss us from CLIENT the NAME seminar. Thank you.