STEWARDSHIP
------THE SACRIFICE OF GIVING
A steward is one who is responsible for handling the property of another.
1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
It is not maybe so, but it is definite that we all must give a full account of the goods and the opportunities that are afforded us throughout life.
I. Examples of Bible Figures
A. Abel--brought the firstfruits of his flock (livelyhood) to God as a sacrifice
Gen. 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
B. Abraham--obedient and willing to present his only son, Isaac to be sacrificed. Gen. 22:1-24
C. Moses and the Israelites--gave a variety of offerings and sacrifices for the construction of the temple. Ex. 25:1-8
D. Paul--a tentmaker; worked at a trade to give support to the ministry as well as meet his personal needs
Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
E. Christ--the ultimate example of sacrifice.
Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
2 Co. 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
F. Matthew--a tax collector
Mt. 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
G. Joseph of Arimathaea--gave away his grave site.
Mt. 27:57-60 57 ΒΆ When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
II. Social and Material Purposes
A. Example of Zacchaeus
Lk. 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
--he showed proof of his repentance.
B. Testimony of David
Ps. 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
As christians, our dependency is upon God. He is the One who takes care of us. We should not turn to the government for our financial stability.
C. Spiritual Benefits
Provision
-we walk (live) by faith
-we draw near to God
-we find joy and fulfilment by obedience to His Word
- a certain amount of our recompense will be received when we get to the other side (eternal rewards)
III. The Tithe
Some believe that tithing was only for the dispensation of the law.
It is interesting that Abraham paid tithes 400 years before the law was even given.
Gen. 14:18-20 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Jacob did as well:
Gen. 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Mal. 3:10,11
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
God pronounces a curse over those who do not pay their tithes.
Mal. 3:8,9
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Not paying tithes = ROBBING
There is a 20% penalty for not paying tithes in due time.
Lev. 27:30,31
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.
31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
IV. Offerings
2nd Corinthians chapters 8 & 9
A. A Requirement
2 Co. 8:15 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
--must be willing to give all of ourselves before giving any other offering of value.
B. Model for Giving
1. Sacrificially---2 Co. 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2. Upon Seeing the Need---1 Jn. :17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
3. In Good Measure---Lk. 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
C. Joy in Giving
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Co. 9:7,8
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
--the word cheerful from the greek means noisy.
2 Co. 9:9 As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
---the person who is a giver is called "righteous"
V. Borrowing
Should a person accumulate debt?
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Indebtedness makes you a servant.
Prov. 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Does taking out a loan show your dependency upon God?
Phi. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Where should we go with our financial burdens?
Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
