Message #3: Five Truths Of Stewardship Series

2 Corinthians 9:7-So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

INTRODUCTION: We can talk about what God means to our lives all we want, but the real proof is found in Jesus’ Lordship over our finances. The Rich Young Ruler kept all the commandments but walked away from Jesus when the Lord asked him to give his money away for God. I want to unveil to you some 5 Truths on Stewardship and Giving that can set you free from greed.

I. TRUTH #1 ABOUT STEWARDSHIP-GOD GAVE US OUR WEALTH

Psalm 24:1-The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Leviticus 25:23-The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.

1. Our cars, our houses, bank accounts, etc., don’t belong to us, but to God. He’s let you have them. God didn’t give your assets solely for your own enjoyment. He has other purposes – so that you can be a blessing to others!

Deuteronomy 8:18- “And 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 it is this day.”

II. TRUTH #2: PURPOSE FOR WHY YOU HAVE POSSESSIONS

A. WE’RE STEWARDS OF WHAT WE HAVE

1 Peter 4:10-As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Corinthians 4:2- “Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”

Purpose? To bless you/ church/ world. Often when we think of Stewardship, we only think of money. BUT giving money is merely part of stewardship. It is also our time and talents.

B. ATTITUDE IS ALL-IMPORTANT

1. Stewardship is about having the HEART OF STEWARDSHIP. In other words, good stewardship is a matter of ATTITUDE that stands behind your giving and your service. It’s NOT WHAT you give or what you do for God, BUT WHY you do it.

2. (Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee who went to the Temple to pray, Luke. 18:14). The Pharisee’s prayers and/or giving weren’t acceptable to God because they were done with hypocrisy.

3. If you give money/ resources to God – wrong attitude… we’re not being good stewards. If we do ministry (serve the church) with the wrong attitude… we’re not being good stewards.

C. HOW ARE WE TO GIVE?

1. JOYOUSLY— “The Lord loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.

a. A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church.

b. “Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself,” she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given.

c. “Well,” said the little girl, “I was going to give the dollar, but just before the offering the man pastor said that we should be cheerful givers. I knew I’d be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did.”

2. LIBERALLY— If you must err, err on the side of generosity.

3. AS TO THE LORD, NOT MEN— It doesn’t matter if you don’t like something about the person at the top. You be faithful to God, and they will give an account for what they do.

4. SACRIFICIALLY— God doesn’t want us to stop with comfortable giving.

III. TRUTH #3: PROPORTIONATE PARTICIPATION

A. EVERYONE “OWES” THE TITHE

" 'A tithe (tenth) of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30.

Proverbs 3:9-10 "Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So, shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."

3. All are called to give the same amount and percentage in our giving at a minimum.

B. WHERE DO YOU PAY YOUR TITHE?

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house.” Malachi 3:10.

2. The CHURCH is the “storehouse.” I’m glad for all the ministries – outreaches, missions, etc., but they are not to receive tithes.

3. The Church is the foundation upon which all other ministries are built. If the local church fails, the other ministries that were developed by the church will also cease to flourish.

4. “THE PURPOSE OF TITHING IS TO TEACH YOU ALWAYS TO PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIVES.”

Deuteronomy 14:23-And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.