2 Corintians 8:72 Corintians 8:72 Corintians 8:7

But since you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

But since you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

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Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index to a man’s true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a man’s character and how he handles his money.

Richard Halverson

Why is money so important to God?

There are twice as many verses about money (2,350) as there are on faith and prayer combined

When God interacts with people we see the condition of their hearts. When He saves someone we see a change in their heart and a change in the way they view and handle money

Zacchaeus gives half of his possessions to the poor and if he has cheated anybody he pays back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house…”

Luke 19:8-9

Jesus said to the rich man “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. “Who then can be saved?” Matthew 19:23-25

John the Baptist tells the crowds coming to be baptized to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. “What should we do then?”

1) The man with two tunics should share 2) One who has food should do the same

3) Don’t collect more than required

4) Don’t extort money 5) Be content with your payLuke 3:7-14

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.…All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…. Acts 2:44-45

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched… Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins… Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

The land of a rich man produced plentifully…“I will tear down my barns and build larger ones… And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you… This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:16-21

How would you have counseled the poor widow? The rich fool?

How does the rich fool’s worldview and financial planning differ from ours?

How does the poor widow’s differ from ours?

God’s financial ways won’t always match up with this world’s ways

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10

Matt 6:22,23pp—Lk 11:34–3619 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matt 19:16–29pp—Mk 10:17–3016 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NIV)Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth… 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life

Matt 12:22–31pp “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food… your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail… 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It’s a matter of the heartGreatest commandment – love God with all of your heart, mind and soul

God wants your heart What/who do we love, treasure, value, be devote ourselves to, believe in, trust in, serve, desire, obey with all our heart

What you believe (truly believe in your heart and mind) will drive your life

If we truly believe that God owns it all, and that we are His stewards, that should increasingly bring changes in our lives; it should show in the way we manage our finances

Ask yourself, do I really believe that God owns it all? My house, cars, bank account, retirement fund, all my stuff?

If you want to change your life, change your heart

If you want to change your heart, change where you put your money, time, talent

My experiencedFirst was change in beliefsGod changed my mindset and beliefs (God owns it all and I’m His money manager)

Next came the decision to obeyObedience led to a change in heart

Change in heart resulted in greater joy, peace, sense of purpose

Eleven of Christ’s thirty-nine parables deal with finances and asset management.

Steward: One entrusted with another’s wealth or property, and charged with the responsibility of managing it in the Owner’s best interest.

The Stewardship ParablesThe Shrewd Manager Luke 16:1-8 The Faithful and Wise Servant Matt. 24:45-51 The Watchful Servants Mark 13:34-37The Talents/The Minas Matt. 25:14-30 The Sheep and Goats Matthew 25:31-46 The Tenants (Vineyard Renters) Matthew 21:33-44 The Unworthy Servant Luke 17:7-10The Rich Fool Luke 12:16-21The Rich Man and Lazarus? Luke 16:19-31

He owns it allTo the Lord your God belong the heavens, even

the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.

Deuteronomy 10:14

The master’s will is authoritative. Behind his words there is ultimate power.

He has delegated to his servants authority over his money and possessions. He shows trust in their ability to manage them and a willingness to take the risk of delegating responsibilities to people who may fail.

The master has high expectations of his stewards. He’s not easy, but He’s fair.

He is away for a season. The relationship is long-distance—consequently, there is delayed accountability. It’s a test of each servant’s devotion to see if the master’s standards are maintained even though he isn’t there to give immediate reward or correction

The master will come back. It may be sooner, it may be later, but he could return at any time, likely when least expected.

He has the right to expect the servant to do what he commanded without reward. Yet the master graciously promises reward and promotion to faithful stewards.

The master’s instructions were reasonable. He’s not one to accept excuses. The servants know his high standards. They shouldn’t presume upon his grace by being lazy and disobedient. The master will take away whatever reward he would have given the servant who is unfaithful. And He will discipline the servant for poor stewardship.

Stewardship. Servants should be acutely aware that they are not owners, or masters, but only caretakers or money managers. It’s their job to take the assets entrusted (not given) to them and use them wisely to care for and expand the master’s estate. If a servant does not fully grasp the implications of the master’s ownership, he will not be a faithful steward.

Industriousness. The servants must work hard, and not slack off.

Accountability. The stewards will one day stand before the Master to explain why they did what they did—and didn’t do—with His assets.

Faithfulness. Servants seek to handle their master’s estate in a way that will please him. They do this until the master returns or until death, no matter how many years. Stewardship is the servant’s life calling. Resignation isn’t an option. Where else would he go?

Wisdom in investing. Because they are managing the master’s assets, servants must choose investments carefully. They can’t afford to take undue risks. Nor let capital erode through idleness. The goal isn’t merely to conserve resources but to multiply them. Servants must be resourceful and strategic thinkers finding the best long-term investments.

Readiness for the master’s return.

“When do you expect the owner to return?”

The caretaker’s reply: “Today, of course.”

Fear of the master. The stewards know the master is just. His instructions were explicit. If the stewards work wisely, they know they’ll fare well, because the master is generous. But they also know that if they’re unfaithful they will feel the master’s wrath. This healthy fear motivates them to good stewardship.

Individual standing before the master. Reward is not to the group but to the individual. The master has a keen eye. An individual servant’s efforts will not be negated by the unfaithfulness of others. Each servant must do the job given him, and will be rewarded justly.

Single-mindedness in service. The wise steward’s life revolves around service for the master. All side interests are brought into orbit around this one consuming purpose in life—to serve the master well.

John Wesley’s questions about spending:

1) In spending this money, am I acting as if I owned it, or am I acting as the Lord’s trustee?

2) What Scripture requires me to spend this money in this way?

3) Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord?

4) Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?

God owns it all (100%; not a 90/10 split)

Everything we have He has given us He entrusted us with a portion of His resources as stewards/money managers

He allows us a salary to cover our needs and even some of our desires

He also tells us to use His resources to further His work

He will reward us for our faithfulness

Our Goal - Attributes of a godly steward

Seeks to please his masterValues what his master valuesKnows his master (how he thinks)Uses his master’s resources to

accomplish his master’s goals not his own

FaithfulAsks his master for guidance and

clarification when he is not sureOrganizedHas a plan (spending, savings, giving)

God’s commands to us as stewardsTake care of our needs Take care of the needs of our family

Physical familiesSpiritual family

Take care of the needs of the poor, suffering, especially the orphans and widows

Support God’s work of taking the gospel to the nations

Giving VideoGive from the heart, not just from dutyPut into practice what you learnGod owns it allShare with needyTry it and see the principles come to life

It was a challenge – they had no moneyNow they count it all joy in their heartsGenerosity is transformational

What is our motivation/why?Our desire to bring glory to GodOut of love for God and our desire to please our heavenly Father

Want to be obedient and conformed to the image of Christ – become more Christ like

Fulfill our purpose – we are God’s workmanship, created to do good works

Messengers/Lights/Witnesseslet our light shine so they may see our

good works and glorify God in heavenTo be a witness to the world; family,

friends, those who know us; may open their hearts to the gospel

Deeply touches the hearts and lives of those we help

For such a time as this; God has blessed us with wealth at the same time there is great suffering and in need in the world. God has given us the resources to relieve that suffering and bring the hope of the gospel to all peoples and bring glory to His name

Gain blessings for ourselves, our families, and those we help

To lay hold of the promises of God Find true treasure (Christ)

hidden treasure in field the pearl of great price

In this life – peace, satisfaction, contentment, joy, love, greater resources to manage

In eternity – well done good and faithful servant, eternal rewards

Obstacles/roadblocks/Dangers Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Wrong beliefswe are owners (not stewards) we are giving some of our money to God

That we deserve/entitled to a certain lifestyle or standard of living

Need to live at the level our parents do and shortly after leaving home

You believe the lies that the world tells you, like money will make you happy and more money will make you happier

Belief that the harder you work the more you make that God has blessed you and you have more to spend on yourself

Belief that when God blesses you, it is always to increase your standard of living

Deception – we deceive ourselves – look into God’s word and forget what we saw and don’t do what it says (James)

Why does God Prospers Us?The God who “supplies seed to the sower” will “increase your store of seed.”

2 Corinthians 9:10 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:11

Action Plan

Do a personal (or with your spouse if married) or small group study on stewardship.

Study the topic through good Christian books/dvds.

What does God command us?What would further God’s kingdom?

Evaluate your own personal/family beliefs and values in the area of money, possessions, saving, giving and spending. What do you value, treasure, desire the most, love/adore, seek after, focus on, rely on and trust (God or money and things?).

Get a plan – Look at checkbook – how you spend, what you give, what you save, what you borrow and why?

Evaluate your spending habits – plan to modify them to be in line with a steward’s

Evaluate your debt situation – develop a plan to get out of debt

Get a plan – put together a budget (spending plan, savings plan, giving plan)

Set goals for giving; Start with tithingThen as your spending and debt get under control or income increases, plan to increase your giving by an A set amount Percentage increase (maybe 1% each year until hit the goal)

Pray – ask God for direction, ask Him about expenditures you make (big and little but especially the big ones) Altima and Van/Rav4 examples

Come to Financial Peace University classes that we will run starting in February (practical skills for managing you money). Sign up to let us know you are interested.

ConclusionIt’s not a question of whether we will be stewards or not. We are all stewards. We don’t own anything. It’s a question of whether we will be good or bad stewards, faithful or not; wise or foolish

It’s about doing what God wants us to do and becoming the person God wants us to be

We can be godly stewards whether we are rich or not (don’t wait until you’re rich)

Be faithful in little, and God will entrust us to be faithful in much

We are all rich when compared to the world population (in top 1%), even if in our eyes we don’t have enough or when we compare ourselves to those who have more than us;

Compare ourselves to the 99% and not the 1%

Keep our eyes on our goal (Christ; eternal life) not the world’s (stuff and more stuff)

Glorify Godlove for God, pleasing Godwitness to the world, be a light, and example to the world, to your family, to the church, younger generation

rewards

Right beliefs and values lead to right behavior and actions

Ask God for the faith that leads to actions

Be different than the world, be a light, a follower of Jesus, not the world

We don’t want be like the man who looks in the mirror and forgets what he sees as soon as he turns and walks away, we must be doers of the word

Questions?If we have time!