A. INTRODUCTION
Last week’s lesson emphasized the ingredients of spiritual and financial victory. We are in spiritual warfare, so there is no final victory till we get to heaven. In the same sense, since we have needs, there is no permanent financial victory on this earth, we must continually go from financial victory to financial victory.
B. TEN THINGS I CAN LEARN FROM STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGNS
1. I learned that stewardship is not fundraising, but management.
Definition: Stewardship is the proper management of time, talents and treasures for the glory of God. "A certain nobleman went into a far country . . . he called his ten servants and delivered them ten pounds and said unto them, occupy till I come" (Luke 19:12,13). The pound represents the things God has given us to use for Him.
a. Everything I have belongs to God, NOT JUST 10%.
b. I manage His money BY HIS PRINCIPLES.
c. I am accountable to God.
d. God will reward or punish based ON MY FAITHFULNESS.
2. I learned financial priorities; to put God first, necessities second and pleasures last.
a. SPIRITUAL PRIORITY. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (financial necessities) will be added unto you" (Matt 6:33).
b. GIVING PRIORITY. "The first of the first fruits of thy Lord, thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God"
(Ex. 34:26). "Honor the Lord . . .with the first fruits of all thine increase" (Pro. 3:9).
3. I learned to live by principles.
a. The Christian life is obeying all the principles, not just the ones THAT ARE CONVENIENT. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20). "That they may hear and learn . . . and observe to do all the words of this law" (Deut. 31:12). When we obey God’s financial principles, we are practicing His principles.
b. Putting the tithe first forces us to spend the rest of our money __________________. Then it teaches us to live our whole life by priorities.
4. I learned that money is more than spending power, it is life.
a. The money I earn represents my time, energy or talent that is given IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY. "He that had received one talent, went and . . . hid his Lord’s money" (Matt. 25:18).
b. The way I spend my money is the way I live my life for God.
c. When I give my money to God, I GIVE MY LIFE TO GOD. Paul described the Corinthian’s gift. "Their deep poverty abounded into the riches of their liberality . . . first gave their own selves to the Lord" (II Cor. 8:2,5).
5. I learned that spiritual victory and financial victory go hand in hand.
a. Some get their sins right with God first. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive . . . and cleanse" (I John 1:9).
b. Some get their money accounts right with God first. "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 the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing (revival terminology) that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10).
6. I learned that our life is measured by the proper use of money, not accumulation of wealth.
Jesus described the measurement standard. "Take heed. . . with what measure ye meet, it shall be measured to you" (Mk. 4:24).
7. I learned that if I foolishly spend money today, ignoring yesterday’s lessons, I will not prosper in the future.
a. THE PRESENT LESSON. "The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer" (Pro. 25).
b. THE PAST LESSON. "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully" (II. Cor. 9:6).
c. THE FUTURE LESSON. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give . . . 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" (II Cor. 9:7,8).
8. I learned God takes care of me when I give to Him.
a. Jesus gave the parable of the rich man who built barns but forgot about God. Jesus explained why he died, "He layeth up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).
b. What happens to those who give to God? "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, neither for the body, what you shall put on" (Luke 12:22). "Consider the ravens . . . God feedeth them" (Luke 12:24). "Consider the lilies . . . how much more shall God clothe you?" (Luke 24:27,28).
c. After the Philippians gave financially, Paul promised, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
9. I learned to get happiness from God not from the things I want and buy.
a. The Corinthians gave sacrificially, but Paul reminded them of THE GREATEST SACRIFICE. "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (II Cor. 9:15). "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" (II Cor. 8:9).
b. Happiness and giving GO HAND IN HAND. "God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Cor. 9:7).
10. I learned to give from victory to victory.
a. Some live from paycheck to paycheck, so they VICTORIOUSLY keep the wolf from the door.
b. Some live from raise to raise, considering it one victory after another victory.
c. My gift may be ANOTHER’S VICTORY. "Your (money gift) abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance (answer to prayer) also may be a supply for your want (spiritual victory)" (II Cor. 8:14).
d. The more I give to God, the more I GET IN RETURN (spiritual, financial, maturity, etc.). "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom" (Luke 6:38).
e. We need to eat daily, pay bills regularly and live one day at a time. When we do it successfully, we go from victory to victory.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
