12 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS ON TITHING AND STEWARDSHIP THAT WILL TEACH YOUR CHURCH TO BE COMMITTED GIVERS

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1 12 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS ON TITHING AND STEWARDSHIP THAT WILL TEACH YOUR CHURCH TO BE COMMITTED GIVERS

2 LEADING YOUR CHURCH TOWARDS FAITHFUL AND CHEERFUL STEWARDSHIP 2012 Grounded and Growing Ministries. All Rights Reserved. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. About the Author Jim is a native of Marietta, Georgia. He received his undergraduate (B.S.) from Berry College and went to Southeastern Baptist Theological seminary (M. Div.). Jim served for nine years with one of the SBC International Mission Board s church-planting teams in Central Asia. He was extensively involved in the development and distribution of discipleship materials for young churches established within a Muslim community. Jim has spent the last few years serving at Hopewell Baptist Church in missions and education. He is a gifted Bible expositor who has written various studies and devotionals used by Christians across the world. Jim is recently married to Rebecca Faye Chester and resides in Marietta, GA. Both he and his wife are faithful attenders of Hopewell Baptist Church in Canton, GA, and have a heart and passion to minister to the local church and reach people for Christ worldwide. Jim has recently founded Grounded and Growing Ministries and is based in Marietta, GA. The goal of his ministry is to provide the local church with Biblical resources and expertise that help make stronger Christians in the local church. Making the Bible simple and understandable so that everyone can apply it to their lives is his passion. These lessons are one of several resources Jim hopes will empower and equip many to be fruitful disciples for God s Kingdom! Grounded and Growing Ministries info@grounded-and-growing.com ii

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I first am eternally grateful to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to serve Him and share a portion of what He has taught me with others. He chose me before the foundation of the world, and hasn t given up on me. I also would like to thank my former co-laborers on the mission field, Jim Warkentine and Jeff Smith, for the investment they made to train me as a young man and gospel minister to the nations. Both of these godly men and others in the mission field helped me see God s activity through the framework of Holy Scripture. There are so many at First Baptist Woodstock who greatly impacted my life. I am especially grateful for the preaching ministry of Dr. Johnny Hunt and how his boldness and passion have served as examples and influence for me over the years. My good friend and colleague, Preston Spears, has been a great encouragement in my writing and has spurred me on to greater service and commitment for the Kingdom of God. Without the support of Hopewell Baptist Church and its pastor, Norman Hunt, none of this work or material would have been possible. I am grateful that Norman has believed in me and mentored me during my service there. I am additionally grateful for the opportunities this church gave me to write our Sunday school material, which has helped me learn more from Scripture. Norman has also helped sharpen my ministry and literary skills. Without question, I am most grateful for my godly wife Rebecca and for the help, support, and companionship she has been to me during my ministry endeavors. God has been so gracious to give me such a lovely and godly young lady to be my companion and life partner! iii

4 PREFACE Recent years have proven to be challenging and troubling for the local church. The economic downturn, foreign crises, and instability have put much financial burden on church members in the 21 st century. It seems that credit card debt and increasing gas prices, as well as the burden of mortgages and car payments have made commitment to stewardship and tithing harder to keep. Even some of the most faithful believers face hardships and struggles to be financially stable in these turbulent times. Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than receive. The Lord came not to be served, but to serve. He is the ultimate example of giving for the local church. My former pastor and mentor, Dr. Johnny Hunt, said it well, You re never more like Jesus than when you re giving. We will want to give of our time, talents, and treasures when we walk in the Spirit and let Christ live His life in and through us. Our priorities and goals will be different when we know the Lord, but do our choices reflect this? The church s ability to fulfill the Great Commission depends on Christians obedience in the areas of tithing and stewardship. Many have said that God doesn t want or need their money because He wants their hearts. This is a truly naïve statement. How we use our finances is an indicator of whether we make the things of the Lord our greatest priority. If we desire to see all nations hear the gospel, we must get serious about our commitment to giving to His work. Tithes and offerings aren t given out of convenience but are expected because of Christ s commands. Stewardship is a matter of love and obedience. Yet, it seems so many in our churches don t understand what God demands and expects of His children. Others know what God has said, but they struggle with their circumstances and are prone to fear and doubt. Regardless of the situation, Christ s lordship is the key to greater surrender and obedience to His commands. iv

5 Many Christian leaders have struggled with how to motivate church members and fellow believers to be consistent in their giving. I ve seen many slogans, programs, strategies, and pleas to get God s people to give more to the church. Are we willfully disobedient and rebellious to the Lord s command? I wonder if our priorities are simply out of whack and we re frustrated with our current situations. The church needs the Word of God to perform inner transformation in our lives. These stewardship lessons will show the people you minister to the principles, promises, priorities, and power of God s Word. When God s children realize what Scripture says and refocus their energies, they ll be obedient and fruitful. Your Sunday school will see what God desires us to be and do with our time, talents and treasures. v

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS GIVING EVIDENCE OF WISE STEWARDSHIP... 1 FAILING TO TITHE IS HOLY ROBBERY... 7 THE BENEFIT OF A WORTHWHILE COLLECTION BEING A GOOD STEWARD AT ALL TIMES HONORING GOD WITH YOUR WORDS, WORSHIP, AND WEALTH GIVING A GIFT WORTHY OF THE KING OF KINGS THE FOLLY OF GREED THE JOY OF RENEWED TITHING LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT WISDOM THAT LEADS TO STEWARDSHIP GIVING THAT SATISFIES THE BLESSING OF STEWARDSHIP CONCLUSION SCRIPTURE INDEX OTHER BOOKS BY JIM CHESTER vi

7 -1- GIVING EVIDENCE OF WISE STEWARDSHIP Matt. 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' OVERVIEW: The Bible promises us that God will give us all we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3) and Jesus told us He would not leave us as orphans. Each Christian has been entrusted by 1

8 God with time, talents, and treasures. His desire is that we use what we ve been given to honor His Name and bring fruit to the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught this in a familiar parable in the book of Matthew. Each of us makes a conscious decision regarding how to use the resources God gives us. We ought to use them in ways that are fruitful, productive, and pleasing to Christ. LESSON GOALS: The class will see that we are to be wise in light of Jesus imminent return. They will learn that all of us have been entrusted with resources we should use to glorify God. The class will also see that God is pleased when we use our gifts to bring fruit and growth to His Kingdom. They additionally will learn that God rewards and entrusts more to those who have been faithful. KEY TERMS AND PHRASES IN THIS LESSON: Kingdom of Heaven, Servants, Master, Talents, Received, Given, Settle Accounts, Gained, Faithful, Lazy, Entrusted, Abundance I. THE LORD S BESTOWAL OF RICHES (MATT. 25:14-19): The Lord Jesus tells another parable to illustrate principles of His Father s Kingdom in this passage. Parables in Matthew use the terminology kingdom of heaven to communicate the work of the Father. The gospel of Matthew was written to a Jewish audience and spoke in Jewish apocalyptic phrases. Unlike Gentiles, the Jews were familiar with God and His ways. Therefore Jesus parables told of the kingdom of heaven as they saw the LORD s domain and dominion as residing in heaven. Jesus tells the tale of a man traveling to a far country. The master is traveling far away to a place that others couldn t easily access or travel to. He would be a long way away and be gone for a long period of time. This man wouldn t directly oversee or manage his assets and resources while he was away. Jesus goes on to say that this man called his own servants and left his goods with them. The master delivered his property, possessions, and posterity to his servants. The servants were entrusted and empowered with these goods. This would suggest a level of trust and security that the master had and felt towards his servants. It also denotes a strong level of accountability. This man didn t just leave some belongings with them to keep from falling into harm s way during his extended absence. These servants were expected to carry out their master s offices, duties, and executive powers with his estate. They were responsible for ensuring the profit and well-being of this trust that they d been given. The meaning of this story is obvious to us today. The Lord Jesus left His disciples with the Great Commission and enabled them to carry it out by the Holy Spirit. Each believer has been given talents and gifts to use for God s Kingdom. Jesus ascended into heaven and has called His church to oversee His world. Christians must be obedient, fruitful, and productive with the things of the Lord. 2

9 Verse 15 tells us what this master specifically gave to his stewards. He gave one of his stewards 5 talents (or sums of money), 2 to another, and 1 to a final servant. The master gave his goods according to each servant s ability because he knew his servants and gave them what they could be trusted with. He could trust one servant with five talents and felt he could trust another with two talents. There was one servant he only felt comfortable giving one talent. Some of his servants had proved themselves trustworthy and were delegated more responsibility and authority. Jesus shares this principle elsewhere in Scripture: Luke 12:48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required ; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Jesus doesn t expect anything of us that He hasn t given us the ability to perform. His calling and grace is sufficient for us to be wise stewards of His goods. Just as this man saw in his servants, it is required of a steward that he is found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2). Each servant was given a trust by his master, and the master promptly left them. He immediately went on his journey as soon as he d delegated his possessions to his stewards. Once Jesus gave his last command and commission, He ascended into heaven and left his workers with their calling and charge. These workers didn t know when their master might return and were expected to be diligent stewards of their trust. We also have been blessed with spiritual gifts, callings, and talents to use for the Kingdom of God. We also do not know when our Master and Lord will return to earth. Unlike these stewards we can have constant communion with our God and King concerning our stewardship. The Lord Jesus sees and knows all we do, and we cannot hide from his sight and escape the accountability of our use of our time, talents, and treasures. Verses 16 and following show us that two of this man s servants took their stewardship seriously and sought to please their master. The first servant who had five talents went and traded with them and made an additional five talents. He put his talents to work and through business dealings and investments, thus doubling his master s worth. This servant wasn t content to simply protect what he s been given and wanted to use his stewardship in a way that would increase his master s property. Verse 17 tells us the second servant did likewise with the two talents his master had given him. He also doubled the value of his trust through industriousness and labor. Both of these servants were faithful with what they d been given and sought the well-being of the one who had called them to be servants. The third servant proved to be unfaithful in verse 18. He received his talent then went and buried it in the ground. He wasn t looking outwards towards possibilities but inward towards permanence. This servant hid the trust he d been given in order to protect it while the others 3

10 took chances with their trust to improve their master s position. The lazy servant felt better sitting around and doing nothing with his stewardship because he was afraid something bad might happen if he tried to use his master s trust. He thought keeping it safe was in his best interests, but Jesus speaks against this mentality: Luke 8:16-18 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." Matt. 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Given the chance to succeed this servant chose to recede with his stewardship. Christians must choose to be faithful with the talents that God gives them and use them like the servants that doubled their master s worth. Like Paul, we should make it our aim to be pleasing to Christ in all we do. Solomon tells us to honor the Lord with our substance and the first fruits of our increase (Prov. 3:9), and we must be faithful with all the blessings our Father gives us. Likewise, we must give account to our Father and Master when we stand before Him (2 Cor. 5:9-10). God knows all that we think, say, or do (Ps. 139) and may come when we least expect it. These servants found this to be true in verse 19 when their master came to settle accounts with his servants. The Lord will also judge us at the judgment seat of Christ. II. HIS LABORERS BLESSING FROM THEIR RESORCEFULNESSS (MATT. 25:20-23): Now that their master had returned, the time had come for the servants to give him an account. In verses 20 and 22 the two faithful workers joyfully give a report to their master. Each of them begins by saying, Lord you delivered to me talents. They gave their master the respect and honor he deserved by calling him lord. The servants knew their role and place in relation to their master s call and command. The master had entrusted his servants with his goods, and they realized the importance of this act. Humility is an important trait in those who seek to do their Father s will. Their primary focus was on their master and the duties he d given them. These two had doubled what they d received and made good use of what they d been entrusted with. Both their master and the Lord Jesus bestow stewardship on us in order to be productive, profitable, and fruitful. The apostle Paul in Romans exhorts us to make good use of what the Lord has given us: Rom. 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who 4

11 teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. In verses 21 and 23 of Matt. 25 their master expresses his delight with his servants faithfulness. Their lord calls them good and faithful servants for their labors because they had been trustworthy and dependable with their stewardship. Taking what they d been given and putting it to use was well pleasing in their master s sight. Because they proved themselves worthy, these servants would be given greater responsibilities and opportunities for their master. He knew whom he could trust and empower to reach his goals and objectives. Their master beckons them to enter the joy of their lord in verses 21 and 23. There has been much discussion over the meaning of this phrase. It would not be a reference to one s good service, allowing him to enter heaven or the master s inner quarters. Their lord was overjoyed with their faithfulness, and he wanted these servants to share in his good pleasure and delight. God s desire is that we might have His joy (John 15:11) and these servants could experience the joy of the Lord anew. They could abound because their master was pleased. Today we can experience joy in knowing we have been pleasing to the Lord Jesus and not have reason to be ashamed before Him (Mark 8:38). If we use our time, talents, and treasures in ways that please the Father, we will know His joy and peace. If we enter His joy we will have no reason to be ashamed in His presence daily as we await His return. An obvious application of this principle is how we use the finances God has given us. Like these servants, we ought to use our finances in a way that exalts the Lord and brings eternal fruit for His Kingdom. This is most realized in our tithes and offerings and is also evident in how we spend and use our treasures. III. LAZINESS AND LOAFING BRINGS REMORSE AND REGRET (MATT 25:24-30): This joyous celebration of faithful obedience is spoiled by the one lazy servant. In verse 24, he comes and begins to explain his actions based on his limited understanding of his master. This servant calls his master hard or harsh saying he was shrewd and difficult to work for. The focus wasn t on the master s command but on the master s supposed nature. Their master was able to earn and gain from areas where he hadn t invested much because of his industrious and wise nature. He reaped where he hadn t sown and gathered where he hadn t scattered. Part of the reason the master had profited was because of faithful servants like the other two in this passage. This steward says that the third servant was scared of his master in verse 25. But he should have been grateful to have a position as servant in his master s household and thankful to have received a trust. Instead, he was worried about how his master would respond if his ventures had proven unsuccessful. There was an obvious lack of faith that trading this lone talent would produce a positive outcome; therefore, he took the one talent and hid it, so no harm would come to it. It was as though he had nothing of value to be used for his master s welfare. 5

12 We could understand this lazy servant s outlook as blaming his master for his failure. This servant was afraid of his lord s demeanor and was, therefore, afraid to make a mistake because his lord s standards and expectations were so high, the servant didn t think he could meet them. We cannot blame the Lord for our disobedience as this servant did. God s glory is a benchmark for us to live by and strive to attain and not to be feared and despised. Therefore this servant s master is angry in verses 26 and following. The master knows who he is, rebukes this servant for being lazy, and tells him what he had expected him to do. He should have made good use of what the master had given him, and since he had done nothing with his talent, the master took it away and gave it to one of his faithful stewards. Both this master and the Lord will bless those who are faithful and will use His goods in a way pleasing to Him. Verse 29 summarizes this tale by saying that those who have and are fruitful will be given more. Those who fail to utilize their resources wisely will lose them. Not only will an unfaithful servant lose what he has, but he ll also be cast out into darkness. This means he will lose his master s (or God s) favor and won t know His presence, peace, and joy as well. The application for us is clear that we must use our time, talents, and treasures in ways that please the Lord, exalt His Name, and bless those around us. When we are faithful with what we have, we will experience His blessings. Our use of money and goods is a reflection of what we think of the Lord Jesus and His work in our lives. QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND DISCUSSION 1. What goods or stewardship has the Lord given each of us? 2. Do we live our lives knowing Christ is coming soon? 3. How are we investing our resources in the church and the Kingdom of God? 4. Is the Lord pleased with how we use our time, talents, and treasures? 5. Have we hidden or failed to use the stewardship God has given us? 6. Do we use our finances in a way to glorify God and advance His work in the world? 6