STEWARDSHIP OF MONEY. What does God say about how we deal with our money?

Transcription

1 STEWARDSHIP OF MONEY What des Gd say abut hw we deal with ur mney? Althugh stewardship cvers all areas f ur lives nt just ur pssessins but ur faith, ur time, ur talents, ur relatinships, and ur envirnment mney and hw we handle it can affect and cntrl all f them. We learn frm the Scripture that whenever we deal with mney, we are dealing nt with a neutral medium f exchange but with the pwers that perate behind, in and thrugh mney that seeks ur devtin abve all else. It des nt say that mney itself is nt wrng. Mney is used t fund everything gd and bad. In Gd s ecnmy mney is a tl. But in the wrld s ecnmy, mney is a symbl and a pwer. But mney is a pwerful thing. If we fail t cntrl it, it will cntrl us and mney, rather than Gd s still small vice, mney will drive all key life decisins fr us where we live, what jbs we take, wh ur friends are, and mre. Jesus warns us that this area wuld quickly becme a surce f pain and frustratin and smetimes bndage - where we start t act as wners f ur mney and pssessins and dn t see hw quickly they start t wn us. Jesus warns us that ur hearts will fllw ur mney. And that we are then easily led astray frm trust and devtin t Gd int areas f wrry and even bsessin ver ur pssessins. This is why Gd has s much t say abut hw we deal with mney (ver 2300 verses). Jesus spke abut it frequently. Abut tw-thirds f Jesus parables make reference t ur use f financial resurces. Jesus tells us that where ur treasure is, there ur heart will be als. N ne can serve tw masters. Fr yu will hate ne and lve the ther, r be devted t ne and despise the ther. Yu cannt serve bth Gd and mney (Matthew 6:24) When we try t separate ur spiritual life frm ur finances, ur wrk, ur careers ur pssessins, we begin t serve tw masters. As Christians, that puts us in a very dangerus psitin. Jesus warns us that we must nt d this. Whenever there is a separate life that is wned and ruled by yu, yu cannt be a steward. Ownership and stewardship are mutually exclusive. As sn as anything becmes urs, it ceases t be an asset that can be stewarded and we are reenacting the sin f Adam and Eve in the Garden. As we teach peple t resist the pull f the wrld culture and fllw gd mney stewardship principles t be generus, t save, t get ut f cnsumer debt we must d this: Only in the cntext f a heart transfrmatin With grace-filled teaching, and On a slid biblical fundatin. Generus Stewardship Page 1 f 12

2 1. Biblical Nn-Negtiables GOD S PART: Gd is Gd and is the Creatr f Everything (The wrld culture tells us that there is n ne gd and that we evlved in ther wrds, created urselves) Gd created the heavens and the earth and everything in it (Genesis 1) The Lrd is the everlasting Lrd, the Creatr f the ends f the earth (Isaiah 40:20-28) Gd created all things and by his will they exist and were created (Revelatins 4:11) There is n ther Gd (Isaiah 46:9) Gd wns everything (The wrld culture tells us that it is mine ) The earth and everything in it belngs t Gd (Psalm 24: 1-2) The land belngs t Gd (Leviticus 25:23) Every animal belngs t Gd (Psalm 50:10-12) All the gld and silver belngs t Gd (Haggai 2:8) Our very breath cmes frm Gd (Gen. 1) Gd cntrls everything (The wrld culture tells us that we are in cntrl) Gd is the ruler f all things and it is he that exalts and gives strength (1 Chrnicles 29:12) Gd changes the times and seasns and gives wisdm (Daniel 2:21-22) Gd des whatever pleases him (Psalm 135:6; Daniel 4:34-35) Gd sends pverty and wealth, humbles and exalts (1 Sam. 2:7) Gd brings bth prsperity and creates disaster (Isaiah 45:7) Gd cntrls the natins (2 Chrnicles 25:8) Gd has set the time and place fr every natin (Acts 17:26) Wrks all things fr gd fr thse that serve him (Rmans 8:28) Gd is the prvider f everything (The wrld culture tells us that it is up t us) Every gd and perfect gift (James 1:17) Every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3-4) All that we need (Matthew 7:7-12) Wisdm (2 Chrnicles 1:11-12) Riches, hnr, justice, righteusness (Prv. 8:18-22) All that we have accmplished (Isaiah 26:12) Generus Stewardship Page 2 f 12

3 OUR PART: We are stewards, nt wners Gd put man in the garden t wrk (tend) it and take care f it (Genesis 2:15) We are Gd s wrkmanship created t d gd wrks (Ephesians 2:10) Whatever we d r say is as a representative f the Lrd (Clssians 3:17, 23-24) We are Gd s ambassadrs (2 Crinthians 5:20) We are nt ur wn, but bught with a price (1 Crinthians 6:20) We d nt live r die fr urselves but fr Gd (Rmans 14:7-8) Live Accuntably It is required frm a steward t be fund faithful (1 Crinthians 4:2) Frm everyne wh has been given much, much will be required (Luke 12:48) We must all appear befre Christ fr the things dne in the bdy (2 Crinthians 5:10) Fr we will all stand befre Gd s judgment seat. S then, each f us will give an accunt f himself t Gd (Rmans 14:10,12) Men will have t give accunt fr every careless wrd spken (Matthew 12:36) Live Cntently D nt cvet what thers have (Exdus 20:5-17) Be cntent with fd and clthing (1 Timthy 6:6-11) Give us this day ur daily bread (Matthew 6:11) Keep yur lives free frm the lve f mney and be cntent with what yu have (Hebrews 13:5) Be cntent whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13) Make yur ambitin t lead a quiet life (1 Thessalnians 4:11-12) Genersity is nt an ptin This was the sin f Sdm they were arrgant, verfed and uncncerned; they did nt help the pr and needy (Ezekiel 16:49) Gd cmmands us t be penhanded tward the pr and needy (Deuternmy 15:11) Leave part f the harvest fr the widw, pr & freigner (Deut. 24:19) D nt frget t d gd and share with thers (Hebrews 13:16) Hw can the lve f Gd be in yu if yu have n pity n smene in need (1 Jhn 3:17) Religin that Gd accepts as pure is lking after rphans and widws (James 1:27) Lve yur Neighbur as Yurself D n seek revenge r bear a grudge but lve yu neighbr as yurself (Leviticus 19:18) The cmmands are summed up n lve yur neighbr as yurself (Rmans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8) Generus Stewardship Page 3 f 12

4 2. Gd s Warnings Our hearts will always fllw ur mney Where ur treasure is ur heart will be there als (Matthew 6:19-21) We will be devted t and lve mney if it is ur master (Matthew 6:24) D nt live fr tday but fr eternity Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20) Our giving in this wrld will be credited t ur accunt (Philippians 4:16-17) Ding gd and being generus will lay up treasures in heaven fr the cming age (1 Timthy 6:18-19) Fr this wrld is nt ur hme, we shuld lk frward t ur everlasting hme in heaven (Hebrews 13:14) Riches can deceive yu Yu say yu are rich and dn t need anything, but spiritually yu are wretched and miserable and pr and blind and naked (Revelatin 3:17) The wrries f this life and the deceitfulness f wealth and the desires fr ther things chke ut the wrd making it unfruitful (Mark 4:18-19) Be n yur guard against all kinds f greed fr a man s life des nt cnsist in the abundance f his pssessins (Luke 12:15) The mre yu have, the mre yu spend, right up t the limits f yur incme (Ecclesiastes 5:11) The lve f mney is the first step twards all kinds f sin. Sme have even turned away frm Gd because f their lve fr it (1 Timthy 6:10) Our hearts will always fllw ur mney - Matt. 6:19-24 Dn't put yur hpe/trust in wealth which is s uncertain 1 Tim. 6:17 Be Generus & Share 1 Tim 6:18 Dn t becme prideful f what Gd has given (be humble) If yur riches increase, dn t be prud (Psalm 62:10) Remember that it is Gd wh gives us the ability t prduce wealth (Deuternmy 8:17-18) When ur hearts becme prud we frget Gd (Deuternmy 8:11-14) Dn t bast abut yur riches, but bast in knwing Gd (Jeremiah 9:23-24) Better t be pr and humble then prud and rich (Prverbs 16:19) Generus Stewardship Page 4 f 12

5 3. Gd s Guidelines COUNSEL Seek wise & avid flish cunsel Cunsel is encuraged A wise man listens t advise (Prverbs 12:15) Make plans by seeking advise (Prverbs 20:18) Multiple cunselrs are encuraged Many advisers make victry sure (Prverbs 11:14) Surces f cunsel The Lrd I will instruct yu and teach yu in the ways yu shuld g; I will cunsel yu and watch ver yu (Psalm 32:8) I bless the Lrd wh gives me cunsel; in the night als my heart instructs me. I have set the Lrd always befre me; because He is at my right hand, I shall nt be shaken. (Ps. 16: 7-8) Scripture Yur statutes are my delight; they are my cunselrs (Psalm 119:24) Fr the Wrd f Gd is living and active. Sharper than any duble-edged swrd, it penetrates even t dividing sul and spirit, jints and marrw; it judges the thughts and attitudes f the heart (Hebrews 4:12) Gdly Peple (including spuse, parents) Listen, my sn, t yur father s instructins and d nt frsake yur mther s teaching (Prverbs 1:8) The muth f the righteus man utters wisdm, and his tngue speaks what is just. The law f his Gd is in his heart; his feet d nt slip. (Psalm 37:30-31) Avid the Cunsel f the Wicked Blessed is the man wh des nt walk in the cunsel f the wicked (Psalm 1:1) The advise f the wicked is deceitful (Prverbs 12:5) HONESTY in even the smallest things Hnesty in even the smallest matters (Luke 16:10) We are cmmanded nt t lie r bear false witness (Exdus 20:16) We are cmmanded t pay taxes: The authrities are Gd s servants (Rmans 13:6) Give t the gvernment what is the gvernments (Matthew 22:21) Gd demands accurate scales & balances (Prverbs 16:11) Gd hates cheating but delights in hnesty (Prverbs 11:1) Gd values hnesty even mre than gifts (Prverbs 21:3) Cannt be dishnest and lve Gd wh is TRUTH (Jhn 14:6) Generus Stewardship Page 5 f 12

6 It is impssible fr Gd t lie & we are t be cnfrmed t His image (Hebrews 6:18) Cannt practice dishnesty and lve ur neighbur (Rmans 13:9-10) Dishnesty hurts/steals frm ur neighbur (Prverbs 25:18) Hnesty creates credibility fr evangelism (Philippians 2:15) Hnesty cnfirms Gd s directin (Prverbs 4:24-26) WORK Wrk hard, but d nt verwrk Gd himself is a wrker By the seventh day Gd had finished the wrk he had been ding (Genesis 2:2) Jesus said t them, My Father is always at his wrk t this very day, and I, t, am wrking (Jhn 5:7) Gd nt nly gives us the ability t wrk but cntrls prmtin (Daniel 5:21) Our abilities cme frm Gd (1 Crinthians 12) Stewards are t wrk in a distinctively Christian way Wrk hard and diligently (Prverbs 12:27) Wrk with all yur might (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Wrk willingly and cnscientiusly (Titus 2:9-10) Stewards are t treat their emplyees in a Christian way Pay a fair wage (Mal. 3:5) Pay them prmptly (Leviticus 19:13) Treat them justly and fairly (Ephesians 6:9) We must nt explit ur wrkers (Isaiah 58:3) We shuld nt partner with unbelievers (1 Crinthians 6:14) We shuld nt verwrk - D nt wear yurself ut t get rich (Prverbs 23:4) We are cmmanded t take time frm wrk fr rest and wrship (Exdus 12:16) Gd rested frm his wrk (Genesis 2:3) There remains a Sabbath rest fr the peple f Gd; fr anyne wh enters Gd s rest als rests frm his wn wrk, just as Gd did frm his. (Hebrews 4:10) DEBT - Avid debt, but be free t lend Debt is t be avided - Let n debt remain utstanding (Rmans 13:8) Debt is cmpared t slavery - The rich rule ver the pr, and the brrwer is the servant t the lender (Prverbs 22:7) Debt is cnsidered a curse - He will lend t yu, but yu will nt lend t him; He will be the head, and yu will be the tail. (Deuternmy 28:44) Being debt free is cnsidered a blessing - Yu will lend t many natins but will brrw frm nne (Deuternmy 28:12) Generus Stewardship Page 6 f 12

7 Debt is a presumptin n the future - yu are making a purchase tday that we cannt affrd tday, and presuming that yu will be able t pay fr it tmrrw - Scripture warns against presumptin (James 4:13-15) Gdly peple repay their debts (Prverbs 3:28) Wicked peple d nt repay their debts (Psalm 37:21) COSIGNING (surety) When yu csign a lan, yu becme legally respnsible t pay the debt if the persn wh needed yur csign des nt pay it Csigning is discuraged and lacks wisdm (Prverbs 17:18) Csigning is dangerus He wh puts up security fr anther will surely suffer (Prverbs 11:15) D nt be a man wh.. puts up security fr debts (Prverbs 22:26-27) Csigning is a trap that must be avided at all cst My sn, if yu have put up security fr yur neighbr, if yu have struck hands in pledge fr anther, if yu have been trapped by what yu said, ensnared by the wrds f yur muth, then d this, my sn, t free yurself, since yu have fallen int yur neighbr s hands. G and humble yurself; press yur plea with yur neighbr! Allw n sleep t yur eyes, n slumber t yur eyelids. Free yurself, like a gazelle frm the hands f the hunter, like a bird frm the snare f the fwler. (Prverbs 6:1-5) LENDING We are t freely lend t thse in need (Deuternmy 15:8) When lending t the pr we are nt t charge interest (Leviticus 25:35-37) We are t frgive utstanding debt every 7 years (Deuternmy 15:1-2) SPEND Budget and live belw yur means We shuld knw ur financial cnditin (i.e. Budget) Be sure yu knw the cnditin f yur flcks fr riches d nt endure frever (Prverbs 27:23-24) Suppse ne f yu wants t build a twer. Will he nt first sit dwn and estimate the cst t see if he has enugh mney t cmplete it? (Luke 14:28) We shuld plan and be able t prvide fr ur family (1 Timthy 5:8) D nt cvet what thers have (Exdus 20) Keep yur lives free frm the lve f mney (Hebrews 13:5) Be cntent whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13) Generus Stewardship Page 7 f 12

8 SAVE Plan & invests, but d nt hard The wise have stred fd, but the flish have devured all they have (Prv. 21:20) We shuld plan fr future needs Careful planning puts yu ahead in the lng run; hurry and scurry puts yu farther behind (Prv. 21:5) Parents ught t save up fr their children (2 Crinthians 12:14) We are t save t prvide fr ur family If anyne des nt prvide fr his relatives, and especially fr his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is wrse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8) Diversify investments We shuld diversify ur investments Give prtins t seven, yes t eight, fr yu d nt knw what disaster may cme upn the land. (Ecclesiastes 11:2) Hrding Harding causes us great harm I have seen a grievus evil under the sun; wealth harded t the harm f its wner (Ecclesiastes 5:13) We are tld nt t seek riches here n earth but treasures in heaven D nt stre up fr yurselves treasures n earth (Matthew 6:19) We are nt the sum f ur stuff (Luke 12:13-21) Harding steals frm ur neighburs fr ut f ur abundance we are t give generusly t thse in need At the present time yur plenty will supply their need, s that in turn their plenty will supply what yu need (2 Crinthians 8:14) Cmmand thse that are rich nt t be arrgant nr t put their hpe in wealth, which is s uncertain... cmmand them t be rich in gd deeds and t be generus and willing t share (1 Timthy 6:17-18) GIVING We are designed t be givers - It is a reflectin f the nature f Gd fr Gd s lved the wrld he gave his ne and nly sn (Jhn 3:16) We are tld by Gd t give Bring all the tithes and fferings (Deuternmy 14:28-29 & Malachi 3:10)) Give and it will be given unt yu (Luke 6:38) This was the sin they did nt help the pr and needy (Ezekiel 16:49) Be penhanded tward the pr and need in yur land (Deuternmy 15:11) D nt frget t d gd and t share with thers (Hebrews 13:16) Yur plenty will supply what they need (2 Crinthians 8:14) It is the test f the lve f Gd abiding in us - If anyne has material pssessins and sees his brther in need but has n pity n him, hw can the lve f Gd be in him? (1 Jhn 3:17) Gd cares abut ur heart and nt what we give Generus Stewardship Page 8 f 12

9 T bey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) By an act f faith, Abel brught a better sacrifice t Gd than Can. It was what he believed, nt what he brught, that made the difference. That s what Gd nticed and apprved as righteus. After all these centuries, that belief cntinues t catch ur ntice (Hebrews 11:4) Hw much shuld we give? The Old Testament benchmark is the tithe = 10% A tithe f everything frm the land belngs t the Lrd. It is hly t the Lrd (Lev. 27:30) Bring in the whle tithe int the strehuse that there may be fd in my huse. Test me in this. (Malachi 3:6-12) The New Testament desn t speak f tithes but radical genersity is demnstrated and asked fr by Jesus G sell all yur pssessins and give t the pr, and yu will have treasure in heaven. Then cme fllw me. (Matthew 19:21) The widw s mite gave all she had (Mark 12:42-44) The stry f the wman puring expensive perfume ver Jesus (Mark 14:4-9) In the early church in Acts there was n pr amng them because frm time t time thse wh wned lands r huses sld them and brught the mney frm the sale and put it at the apstles feet t be distributed t anyne as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35) The Macednian Christians gave ut f extreme pverty and beynd their ability (2 Crinthians 8:2-3) Every Christian shuld diligently pray and seek Gd s wisdm in the matter f participating in tithing and/r hw much t give (James 1:5). Where shuld we give? T lk after family If anyne des nt prvide fr his relatives, and especially fr his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is wrse than an unbeliever (1 Timthy 5:8) T the Church Bdy / Cmmunity All the believers were tgether and had everything in cmmn. Selling their pssessins and gds, they gave t anyne as he had need (Acts 2:44-45 Pastrs wh d their wrk well shuld be paid well and highly appreciated (1 Tim. 5:17-18) Thse wh are taught the Wrd f Gd shuld help their teachers by paying them (Gal. 6:6) We are nt t frget the ministers as lng as we live in the land (Deuternmy 12:19) T Other Spiritual Instructrs & Wrkers Dn t yu knw that thse wh wrk in the temple get their fd frm the temple in the same way, the Lrd has cmmanded that thse wh preach the gspel shuld receive their living frm the gspel (1 Crinthians 9:13-14) We are t give t supprt the wrk f the Kingdm utside ur church Churches in acts supprted each ther when in need Peple supprted Paul n missinary trips Peple supprted Paul when in prisn Generus Stewardship Page 9 f 12

10 We are t give t the pr The Pr and the alien (Leviticus 19:10) The alien, the fatherless and the widw (Deuternmy 24:19) Thse in need (Luke 3:11, Acts 2:45, The Gd Samaritan) When shuld we give? Regularly On the first day f every week, each ne f yu shuld set aside a sum f mney in keeping with his incme, saving it up, s that when I cme n cllectins will have t be made. (1 Crinthians 16:2) Give whether we are rich r pr Out f the mst severe trial, their verflwing jy and their extreme pverty welled up in rich genersity. Fr I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beynd their ability. Entirely n their wn. (2 Crinthians 8:2-3) Hw shuld we give? Give First (First Fruits) Cain and Able (Genesis 4:2b-7) Bring the best f the first fruits t the huse f the Lrd (Exdus 23:19) Hnur the Lrd with yur wealth, with the first fruits f yur crps (Prverbs 3:9-10) Give Quietly with n thught f return (Matt. 6:1) Be careful nt t d yur 'acts f righteusness' befre men, t be seen by them. If yu d, yu will have n reward frm yur Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1) Give Prprtinally Each ne f yu shuld set aside a sum f mney in keeping with his incme (I Cr. 16:2) Give Intentinally &Cheerfully Each persn shuld give what they have decided in their heart t give. Nt reluctantly r under cmpulsin, fr Gd lves a cheerful giver (2 Crinthians 9:7-8) We must always give with the right attitude If I give all I pssess t the pr and surrender my bdy t the flames but have nt lve, I gain nthing (1 Crinthians 13:3) Give Excellently See that yu als excel in this grace f giving (2 Crinthians 8:7) Generus Stewardship Page 10 f 12

11 CHILDREN teach & train Develp character t make them gdly - Prverbs 22:6 Talk t them abut things f faith - Deut. 6:6-7 Gd disciplines thse He lves - Hebrews 12:6 Dn t be afraid f failure fr Gd wrks all things tgether fr gd - Rmans 8:28 Teach them abut Giving - Give and it will be given t yu - Luke 6:38; - It is mre blessed t give than t receive Acts 20:35; - Offer yur bdies as living sacrifices Rmans 12:1 - Share with the Lrd s peple wh are in need. Practice hspitality Rmans 12:13 - Give even when it hurts - 2 Cr. 8:2-5; - Whever sws generusly will als reap generusly - 2 Cr. 9:6-7 - We are t be generus n every ccasin - 2 Cr. 9:11 - D nt frget t d gd and share with thers - Heb 13:16 - Let us nt lve with wrds r speech but with actins and in truth - 1 Jhn 3:18 COMMUNITY lve yur neighbur Lve yur Neighbur as Yurself (Luke 10:25-37; Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; Rmans 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8) We are t lk after the pr, alien, fatherless & widw Deut. 24:19; James 1:27 We are t d justice, lve mercy & and walk humbly with ur Gd Micah 6:8 We are t repair estranged relatinships Matt. 5:23-34 We are nt t avid the mre imprtant matters f the law - justice, mercy & faithfulness - Matt. 23:23 We are t care fr family members Eph. 6:2-3; 1 Tim. 5:3-4, 8 Shw hspitality t ne anther withut grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9) D nt neglect t shw hspitality t strangers, fr thereby sme have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2) Fr I was hungry and yu gave me fd, I was thirsty and yu gave me drink, I was a stranger and yu welcmed me, I was naked and yu clthed me, I was sick and yu visited me, I was in prisn and yu came t me. (Matt. 25:34-46) Cntribute t the needs f the saints and seek t shw hspitality. (Rmans 12:13) Yu shall treat the stranger wh sjurns with yu as the native amng yu, and yu shall lve him as yurself, fr yu were strangers in the land f Egypt: I am the Lrd yur Gd. (Lev. 19:34) Generus Stewardship Page 11 f 12

12 ENVIRONMENT Guard & tend but wrship the Creatr We are t guard & tend (steward) the earth and everything in it - Gen. 1 Creatin belngs t Gd & reflects His Glry - Ps. 19:1-4 All things were created by Christ 0 Cl. 1:16 The earth belngs t Gd - Ps. 24:1 Christ died t recncile all f creatin t Gd - Cl 1:20 See FMCiC Psitin Paper n Envirnment LIFESTYLE live fr eternity, nt fr tday Dn t live fr Tday but fr Eternity - Matt 6:19-20 Our citizenship is in heaven - Philippians 3:20; Heb. 12:14 Our giving will be credited t ur accunt - Phil. 4:16-17 Being Generus lays up treasures in heaven - 1 Tim. 6:18-19 Generus Stewardship Page 12 f 12