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Fundamentals of Christianity 2
Lesson 1
A Steward is someone who manages another's property, finances or affairs. The truth is that the earth and everything in it belongs to God. We are only stewards of what belongs to Him.Heaven is yours, the earth also; you made the world and everything in it. (King David speaking to God) Psalm 89:11
When hearing the word stewardship, most people automatically think of money. It is true that God expects us to be good stewards of the money he puts into our hands but good stewardship reaches into every area of our life.
You might say ask, "how is it that God puts money into my hands when I worked for it?" God holds all things in His hands. He is the one that gives us the good health and strength to work. He gives us opportunity and favor to get work. Everything we have, we have because of His mercy and grace towards us.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18
Part of good stewardship is remembering or honoring the Lord with a portion of all that we have.
Out of what God gives us, how much does He expect us to give back for His use?
God has given us a figure of what is pleasing to Him, a tithe. Tithe means tenth part. We are not under the old covenant and bound by law to give a tenth part, but it is a fair part and one that is pleasing to God, so we know what to strive toward. We should give above a tenth if we are able because of our love for God and man and because the needs are great. We cannot expect those that don't know God to finance the work of God, but yet many do just because they believe it is the right thing to do. How much more should we that have eternal life finance the gospel of Jesus Christ?
At the end of every third year bring the tithe of all your crops and store it in your towns. This food is for the Levites, since they own no property, and for the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. They are to come and get all they need. Do this, and the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do. Deuteronomy 14:28-29
By his great power and strength He rescued us from Egypt. He worked miracles and wonders, and caused terrifying things to happen. He brought us here and gave us this rich and fertile land. So now, I bring to the LORD the first part of the harvest that he has given me. "Then set the basket down in the LORD's presence and worship there. Be grateful for the good things that the LORD your God has given you and your family; and let the Levites and the foreigners who live among you join in the celebration. "Every third year give the tithe---a tenth of your crops---to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat. When you have done this, say to the LORD, 'None of the sacred tithe is left in my house; I have given it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, as you commanded me to do. I have not disobeyed or forgotten any of your commands concerning the tithe. I have not eaten any of it when I was mourning; I have not taken any of it out of my house when I was ritually unclean; and I have not given any of it as an offering for the dead. I have obeyed you, O LORD; I have done everything you commanded concerning the tithe. Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people Israel; bless also the rich and fertile land that you have given us, as you promised our ancestors.' Deuteronomy 26:8-15
God commanded the Israelites to acknowledge that He is their provider and give thanks to Him by giving a portion of all He gave them for His work. God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and into a rich and fertile land is a prophetic picture of Him delivering us out of the kingdom of darkness and bringing us into His kingdom. Just as He is our provider also, we too are to acknowledge this and show our thankfulness by using a portion of it to do God's work in the earth.
Deuteronomy 26 says the Israelites should care for the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans and the widows. The Levites represents ministries and those that are in full time ministry doing God's work, the foreigners represent those that don't know God and are in need. How will they come to know Him if we don't share God's love with them? The orphans and widows represent the born again that are in need. This all speaks of those living everywhere, in our country or abroad. God loves people and wants those that He has blessed to care for everyone else as He enables us because we are blessed. Christians don't realize it, but it really is our job because it is God's job and we represent Him in the earth. If we will be faithful with what He gives us in blessing others, He will give us more, not to heap upon ourselves; but to bless others more. Can He trust us to be a channel of His blessings? He is looking for that that he can trust to the channels of blessings, financial and otherwise.
In giving, as in all matters, the important thing is our heart. Are we doing our best or are we being greedy and non-caring of the work of God. In the Bible story of the poor widow she put only a few cents into the offering when others put in much, but in God's eyes the poor widow had given more than anyone there, because they didn't even need what they gave but what she gave was a true sacrifice. We should give according to what we have and only be concerned about what God thinks about our giving. He knows both what we have and what we give. We should desire to be generous givers in all situations, this is pleasing to the Lord.
Jesus was sitting in the temple near the offering box and watching people put in their gifts. He noticed that many rich people were giving a lot of money. Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins that were worth only a few pennies. Jesus told his disciples to gather around him. Then he said: I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn't have a cent to live on. (Mar 12:41-44 CEV)
Areas of our stewardship:
1) Our Time:
Not all of our time should be totally consumed upon ourselves. God expects that we give some of our time to Him. We give time to God by studying His word, talking to Him (prayer) and worshiping Him. However, this benefits us much more than God, so we must also give our time to God in acts of service and kindness for others.
A good way to measure the time we give to God is to see how close to the tenth it comes. There are 24 hours in a day; a tenth of 24 hours is 2 hours and 24 minutes each day. If we try to give God a tenth of our 16 awake hours that would be one hour and 36 minutes a day.
Again we are not bound by law, but we don't want to be selfish with our time either. We should give as much of our time to God as possible. There is no better way under the sun to spend our time. It is the only way we can spend our time that gains eternal rewards.
2.) Our Money:
Many people don't want to give their money to churches because of either real or imagined misuse of the money. As God steward's of His money it is very important that we give a portion of it prayerfully, trusting God to show where we should give.
The best way to test our hearts of our devotion and trust in God is if we can give a portion of our money to do God's work in the earth. When we give to people who are in need or to ministries that does the work of God we are giving directly to God Himself. Read Matthew 25:31-46, discuss.
If God's people don't give a portion of their earnings to help keep up God's full time servants then how will there be any ministers to do God's work? They have needs like everyone else. If no one gives money to help feed and care for the poor, who will? I know our government does to a degree but according to the Bible, it is not the government's job but rather the churches job. People are the church! Besides, many countries governments do nothing to help their poor.
If Christians will not give a portion of their income to places of worship, how can they even exist? Buildings cost money. Electricity costs money. How can churches send missionaries to foreign countries to preach the gospel (God's work) if no one is willing to give a portion of their income to help send. Travel cost money. There are many expenses involved in ministry. How can only ministers pay those expenses? They can't. It is the duty of every single born again Christian to help do the work of God. After all, everything we have is His. He gives it to us to enjoy and steward. Shouldn't we use a portion of that to take care of the things He cares most about, winning souls and taking care of the needy? Remember, we are his hands, his feet, his mouth and yes, his pocket book. Be generous, He has been so generous with us. We can be assured that if we put God first He will see that our every need is met.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
3.) Our Goods:
God loves a cheerful giver. He also loves His children to be generous. One way we can be generous is to develop a giving heart by giving of the things God has so graciously blessed us with. Many times, we can generously share our food or other things that we no longer need. Maybe it is something we can use to make a few dollars by selling, but the rewards of giving to someone in need are so much greater. One way we can be sure our hearts are not full of covetousness, stinginess and greediness is to practice being generous givers. If you know people in need, think about what you have, and ways you can be a blessing to them.
4.) God's Truth:
It is most important that we be good stewards of God's truth. We have the truth of how to avoid hell. We have the truth of God's love for mankind. We have thousands of truths about God and His ways. We have the truth of how to know God personally and intimately. How can we not share this with others? Nothing could be worse than not sharing that knowledge. The knowledge of theLord is the greatest gift we could ever give.
5.) Our Love:
As God's kids, we have the Love of God dwelling on the inside of us. This world needs love. Again the Love is Gods, when we give it away, we are allowing God to love others through us. We give love through the things we already mentioned; our time, our money, our goods and the truth of God's word. But we can also give God's love to people out of simple acts of kindness like holding a door for someone, smiling at people even if they don't smile at us first. We can say kind words of encouragement to people. We can offer to pray for them. There are hundreds of ways to express the love of God. Another is to simple tell people that God loves them. We are God's mouthpieces, His messengers. This is excellent stewardship of God's love that dwells inside of us.
In conclusion, every born-again believer is God's steward. Are we good stewards or bad ones? Are we giving a portion of everything that God has given us in service to God? Stewardship not only speaks of the small potion that we give to God but it also speaks of the other ninty or so percent as well. God wants us to be good stewards over that also.
He has given us life and things to enjoy but he wants us to be wise with all He gives to us. He wants us to spend our money wisely. He wants us to take care of the things He gives to us. If we do, it will last longer and still be in good shape for someone else to enjoy when we are finished with it. God also want us to be good stewards of all of our time. He wants us to enjoy ourselves and make time for fun, friends, family and relaxation but he doesn't want us to waste our time, but rather make good use of it.
Closing Prayer:
Father, we acknowledge that everything we have including our health comes from you. Thank you for everything you have given to me and done for me. Please forgive me for all the areas of stewardship that I have failed you in. I invite you to deal with my heart tonight and show me ways I can please you as your steward. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Weekly Challenges:
Scripture Memorization: But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as in is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18
Think and Do: Think of ways that you can acknowledge that God is your provider and make an offering of thanksgiving to Him for being your provider. It does not have to be money.
L.O.V.E. Challenge: Do an unexpected act of kindness this week preferable for someone that cannot do it for themselves. Ask God to show you who He wants you to bless. Do it with the knowledge that you are doing it as God's vessel.
Scripture Reading: Read one chapter a day. Work on reading all the way through the New Testament. Also read Matthew 25:14-28, the parable of the talents.
Prayer: Keep up your prayer Journal by adding prayer needs. Put aside time each day to get alone and pray for all the people in your prayer journal. Be sensitive to what God has to say to you and record anything He says. Expect to hear from Him!