Key 7 to Revival – Sermon 7 “Godly Stewardship”
Summary of the other 6 sermons in the series the 7 keys to Revival. Prayer and Fasting, Taming the Tongue, Unity in the Community, Reverence for Communion, Authentic Worship, and Teamwork.
Opening Video Illustration: Shindlers List
Oskar Shindler saved 1,000 of lives by his sacrifice of Finances, Time and Resources. The descendents of the Shindler Jews is well over 6,000 today as a result of his commitment to save those condemned to die. This scene portrays his grief over not selling his car and some final possessions to save a few more lives.
Objects on Stage: Clock = Time, Money = Finances, Books, car = Resources – I believe in a principle I will call 10 3rd power. The Clock represents our time and parallels to the one who actually gave us all the gift of time – His name God the Father. The second object is money, which represents Jesus Christ the one who gave the biggest sacrifice for you and me. He gave his precious costly life. The third items a book, family, car and the like represent resources that we possess and parallels what the Holy Spirit gives to us God’s resources.
For those who recall your math 10 to the 3rd power is not 10+10+10=30. It is 10x10x10=1000. I believe we need to give 10%of our time to God, 10% of our finances to Christ, and 10% of our resources to the Holy Spirit.
Thesis: This is the final key to unlocking the door to revival in our lives and in the church. But it is the least used key in the Body of Christ because it’s the hardest to pick up and use in the lock.
Texts:
I Timothy 6:6-12 (NIV)
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People 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. 10For 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.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:6-12 (The Message)
A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.
But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.ӣ
Hebrews 13:5 (The Message)
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,
“God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?”
Introduction:
Today we are focusing our attention on the 7th key to revival (Pick out the seven keys and hold up the fat ugly brass one). We all say we want revival but many throw away the 7th key but you cannot have revival without unlocking the 7th lock with this key. This is the final key that will unlock the door of revival in our lives, in our church, and in our community. It’s a subject that has held the church back from reaching the world for Christ. More Christians and ministers have fallen as a result of having an unbiblical view of this important topic. Listen to some recent statistics on how this key is laying in the corner ignored by the Church people:
· George Barna reports that giving to churches dropped significantly last year. In 2000, 70% of Christians gave to the church, compared to 84% in 1999. Barna’s survey also showed that while 32% of Christian claimed to have tithed, a check of the household income showed that only 12% actually did.
· The average Christian only gives 2.5% of their income to the Lord.
· Yet they spend 2x more on entertainment than on God’s work.
· 23% of Christian interviewed in a pole said they bought a lottery ticket once a week.
o People place more faith in lottery tickets than in God.
o Roger Babson states:
§ $1.00 spent for lunch last five hours.
§ $1.00 spent for necktie last five weeks.
§ $1.00 spent for a cap last five months.
§ $1.00 spent for an auto last five years.
§ $1.00 spent for railroad lasts five decades.
§ $1.00 spent in God’s service lasts for eternity.
Illustration of the ball: This ball represents a Christian who is not being a Godly Steward of their time, finances and resources. It’s just a clear ball. But watch what happens when it allows itself to be used by God. It lights up and people stand up and take notice. They then are drawn to the light and ask how do you light up like that.
I have to come back to my question, “How many really want revival?” Then the church must have a Godly mindset toward stewardship. The key of Godly Stewardship – encompasses finances, time management, and the use of the resources we possess.
T.S.-This key to revival is the biggest and heaviest for people to insert into the lock on the door to revival. There is an attitude toward this key by the same people who want revival. For revival to breakout in our hearts and lives we must drive out the unbiblical mindset.
I. The negative attitudes and mindsets about this key come out in the following statements people have make:But God does have a response to each remark.
1. “The church does not need me to give, besides I deserve all that I have.”
a. God’s response II Corinthians 8:7 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us£—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
b. God’s response Romans 12:1–13 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual£ act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his£ faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
c. God’s response is everyone is to give no exceptions!
d. The negative mindset says, “I don’t need that key for revival!”
2. “It does not apply to me because I can’t afford to give. I will impoverish my family if I do.”
a. Jesus’ response to this attitude is found in Luke.
i. Luke 21:2 1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.£ 3“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
b. Coffey states, “The Bible teaches the opposite(To our statement above). This is one of the great benefits of Christian financial management. It puts one in the position to be a generous giver. The Bible says in 2 Cor. 9 “Remember this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but who-sows generously will also receive generously.”
c. You cannot afford not to tithe! You cannot afford not to give your time! You cannot afford to not give of your resources.
i. God wants us focused on His work not our wants.
d. This unbiblical attitude says, “That key to revival costs to much for me I don’t want to use it!”
3. “I have to many other things to pay for and live for.”
a. God’s response James 3:13-16 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
b. This negative mindset says, “That key to revival is to expensive and I don’t want it.”
4. “Don’t they realize that I have two cars a house and all this stuff that I have to pay for and God wants me to be blessed.”
a. God’s response I Timothy 6:3-10 3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People 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. 10For 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.
b. Love of money is the attitude toward money –not money is evil it’s what comes out of the heart toward that object that makes it evil.
c. This deceived mindset says, “God does not want me to use that key he wants me to spend the resources on myself instead.”
5. Don’t they realize that I have a $10,000 charge card debt I got to pay off.
a. God’s response Proverbs 18:16 16A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
b. The best way out of debt is doing it God’s way not your way.
i. Your way has gotten you into debt.
ii. The cure out of debt is:
1. Readjust you Priorities. Our 1st priority in finances is to be God.
2. Develop Discipline to say no to impulse spending and the mind set of “I need more.”
a. Spiritual disciplines develop financial discipline.
3. Follow a plan to get out of debt.
a. Many fail at this because they have no plan!
b. You have to be deliberate it you want out of debt.
c. Unbiblical mindset says, “I’m too far in debt to do things God’s way, it will not work because it makes no earthly sense.”
6. “All the pastor’s are greedy and they just want more money for themselves.”
a. God’s response I Timothy 3:1-7 1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,£ he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
b. This lie from the Devil has been enhanced by a few leaders who have fallen into greed. But 99% of all the ministers I know are not in this for the money. Because you will not get rich in the ministry in 99% of all circles.
c. This deceived mindset says, “They want to get rich with my money, I want to get rich with my money.”
7. “I don’t like the way the Board votes to spend my money so I will not give.”
a. God’s response I Corinthians 4:1-5 1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
b. This negative mindset says, “I want to control all my money and spend it my way.”
8. “I will only give when it benefits me.”
a. The Lord responds with Phil. 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.”
b. Billy Graham said , “God has given us two hands-one to receive with, the other to give with.”
c. That key has no benefit to my spiritual health or destiny so I don’t see any benefit to me in giving.
d. Unbiblical attitude says, “I give when I get back in return.”
9. “God does not want me to give he understands!”
a. God ‘s response “Don’t use my name in vain and break one of the ten commandments” and remember Malachi 3: 6-12: 6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
b. Satan is one who promotes this lie because God has not changed his mind about giving for you.
c. Satan wants you to believe this so there is less money being spent on God’s Kingdom.
d. This deceived mindset says, “God appeared to me as an angel of light and told me “You don’t have to give to me or the ministry of the Gospel keep it all for yourself you deserve it!”
10. “Pastor when I get to the end of the week there is no money left and God is not there to meet my need.”
a. Sir John Templeton Chairman of Templeton Funds that manages over 15,000,000,000 (15 Billion) annually in investments said: “I have watched 100,000 families over my years of investment counseling. I always saw greater prosperity and happiness among those families who tithed than among those who didn’t.”
b. God responds with Phil. 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
c. This afraid mindset says, “God I really don’t believe that you will supply all my needs!
d. New Life’s promise of the money back blessing if not blessed by God.
T.S.-If we overcome the unbiblical mindsets and focus on being Godly Stewards of our time, finances and resources then God promises the following blessings.
II. This key to revival is able to unlock the following from God. The choice is yours will you use the key and receive the following..
a. God will be your provider and he will use his resources to do it.
i. Illustration of the10 $1.00 bills given out to one person who then gives it to another.
ii. Matthew 6:32,33 2For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
iii. Deut. 10:14 14To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
b. God will unleash on you greater contentment and peace in your finances
i. I Timothy 6:6-12 (see above)
c. God will take care of all your basic needs and lead you as you make financial decisions.
i. Proverbs 3:5-10
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.£
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
ii. Matthew 6:32,33 (see above)
iii. I Kings 17:10-16
10So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
12“As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
13Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’”
15She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
d. If you are in debt, God will help give you wisdom and insight to get out of debt.
i. I shared a plan earlier it works.
ii. Neh. 5:4-13
4Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”
6When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. 7I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them 8and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.
9So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! 11Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them—the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil.”
12“We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”
Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. 13I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!”
iii. The reason most people are in debt today is because they have refused to use one of the keys to revival. According to today’s financial advisors there is an American family financial crisis in this country. It’s not really a financial crisis as it is a spiritual crisis.
iv. Bob Ecklund tells us that “(The present ) Financial crisis can be traced to three spiritual issues.” Page 11 Stewardship Journal Winter 97-98 (Direct quote from).
1. Love of things: The Bible is filled with warnings about the danger of loving money and possessions (See I Timothy 6:10; Colossians 3:5). Christians have bought into the consumer mentality as strongly as those without Christ. We tend to measure the worth of others and ourselves by the amount of stuff we accumulate.
2. Lack of Discipline: Discipline is often the missing ingredient in our lives that causes us to misuse debt. We have not learned to deny ourselves. Consequently, whenever we cannot afford something we want, we simply use credit cards as a toll to satisfy our desires. Often , the lack of discipline is so acute that we will not wait even a few months to save up and pay cash for an item, choosing instead, to pay an inflated price by using credit. The credit card industry is built upon this human weakness.
3. Loss of Values: The values for the American family have changed from relationships, communication, time together, and loving environments. Instead, we strive for bigger houses, nicer cars, and more expensive trinkets. In order to accumulate these items we must work harder and longer, leaving no time or energy for higher family values.
a. The real problem is no longer financial in nature. It is a spiritual problem-our desires have become set on the things of the world (See Proverbs 21:17; 23:4-5).
e. God will use your giving to unleash revival in your church by strengthening the outreach potential of your church.
i. II Kings 4:8-10
8One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”
* These people gave and they where recorded in God’s record of life.
ii. I Cor. 9:9-11
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”£ Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
f. God will use what you have given and multiply it for the spread of His kingdom.
i. John 6:5-14
5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages£ would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
ii. Matthew 14:14-21
g. God will give you eternal treasure in heaven that will last for eternity.
i. I Timothy 6:18-19
8Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In 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.
ii. Matthew 6:19-21
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Conclusion:
The last and final key to revival is Godly Stewardship. It’s the heaviest key and the largest key to get into the lock because of the unbiblical attitudes toward giving. The Lord want you to know that if you adopt the 10 to the 3rd power mindset just watch what he will do for you and your community. You will see revival in your life and in the churches life.
G – God
I – In proper
V – view for
E – eternity
Always brings revival!
Altar call- Prayer for those in need and those who want to do the Principle of God -- 10 to the 3rd power.
