Intro: When the builders of a proposed bridge across the Niagara Falls began construction many years ago, the first matter at hand was how to span the river w/ the suspension cables. Launching a simple kite, the builders were able to get a thin string across. Using the string, they drew a rope across, which was followed by a larger rope, then a small cable, and finally a cable heavy enough to use as support in building the bridge. When it was completed, the huge structure, that could support a train, showed no signs of having once been launched by a simple kite!
Trans: This story reminds us that to do a great work you must begin small and keep it simple. This is one of life¡¦s foundational truths. We don¡¦t have to make life complex. The same is true w/ stewardship. We don¡¦t have to make it burdensome ¡V God intends it to be rewarding, fulfilling and exhilarating.
Trans: Last year, I shared a sermon on stewardship where I shared 2 base concepts.
1 Stewardship is not about your money, it is about your life.
Note: Stewardship is about how we manage our time, talents, etc. It is about giving to God the best of who we are and what we have received.
Verse: Where your heart is there your treasure will be. Mt. 6:21
2 Stewardship is about who is in charge of your life.
Verse: You shall have no other gods before Me. Ex. 20:2
Note: To address the issue of who is in charge, God requires His people to give the tithe. The Tithe simply reveals who is on the throne.
Quote: We show God that He is first in our lives when we give Him the best of who we are and what we have possessed.
Story: I heard a story of a missionary in Africa who received a knock on the door of his hut one afternoon. Answering, the missionary found a native boy holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said, ¡§Reverend, you taught us what tithing is, so here ¡V I¡¦ve brought you my tithe.¡¨ As the missionary gratefully took the fish, he questioned the boy. ¡§If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?¡¨ At this, the boy beamed and said, ¡§Oh, they¡¦re still back in the river. I¡¦m going back to catch them now.¡¨
Define: Compound word - meaning law and house ¡V Stewardship is managing one¡¦s house or managing the affairs of another.
Trans: Concerning stewardship, let¡¦s start small and let¡¦s keep it simple. Our aim is to grasp the essential principles which undergird a strong Christian life. Yet while these truths are simple, they are also ¡§non-negotiable.¡¨
I God¡¦s Owns Everything
Idea: We often speak of our possessions, but according to the Bible, God owns it all and we own nothing ¡V we are stewards of everything God entrusts to us.
Verse: The earth is the Lord¡¦s and everything in it. Ps. 24:1
Truth: We are stewards and not owners ¡V thus giving is nothing more than managing His assets and resources.
1 It all belongs to God.
2 God gives His property to us for our enjoyment & investment.
3 To keep perspective, God asks that we give Him the first 10%.
4 Those who live by the ownership principle, God blesses.
5 Those who steal from God, God disciplines.
Precept: Just b/c something is in your possession doesn¡¦t mean it is your possession.
II God¡¦s Work Must Be Supported By God¡¦s People
The Reason People Give
„« Passion ¡V b/c they believe in the cause
„« Affiliation ¡V b/c they belong to the organization
„« Tradition ¡V b/c they have a history or practice of giving
„« Recognition ¡V b/c they want to be known
„« Inspiration ¡V b/c they¡¦re captured by the project or presenter
„« Obligation ¡V b/c it is the dutiful or expected thing to do
„« Transformation ¡V b/c they want to make a difference
„« Invitation ¡V b/c they¡¦re invited or asked to give
„« Completion ¡V b/c they¡¦re fulfilling a commitment
Truth: There is only one reason why a Christian gives ¡V Love
Quote: Bumper sticker ¡V Tithe is you love Jesus, any idiot can honk!
Story: Cirrhosis of the giver was discovered in A.D. 34 by Ananias and Sapphire (Acts 5:1-11). It is an acute condition that renders a patient¡¦s hands immobile when called on to move in the direction of his wallet toward the offering plate. This strange malady is clinically unobservable in such surroundings as the golf club, supermarket, clothing store, and restaurant. This affliction is actually a symptom of a more basic need of the soul.
Quote: God has always planned that His people support the work of His kingdom.
A Regular Giving (Consistently)
Idea: God directs His people to give according to a specific, consistent pattern.
Verse: On the first day of every week, set aside an offering of what you have earned and give it as an offering to the Lord. 1 Cor. 16:2
B Responsive Giving (Proportionately)
Idea: God calls upon believers to give in proportion to His blessing upon them.
Verse: Honor the Lord w/ your wealth, w/ the first fruits of all of your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over w/ new wine. Pr. 3:9
Idea: Tithe - The word ¡§tithe¡¨ means ¡§a tenth part or 10%.¡¨
C Reliant Giving (Faithfully)
Idea: God requires that His children give based upon God¡¦s ability to supply.
Verse: My God shall supply my need according to His riches in glory. Ph. 4:19
D Revelation Giving (Sacrificially)
Idea: God reveals a specific need and impresses upon His people to meet it.
E Radiant Giving (Joyfully)
Verse: Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God love a cheerful giver. 2 Cr. 9:7
III Gold Holds Every Person Accountable
Verse: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1Cr. 4:2
Story: Daniel Webster was asked, ¡§What is the most profound thought you¡¥ve ever had?¡¨ Webster replied, ¡§The most profound and important thought ever to occupy my mind is that I am individually accountable to almighty God.¡¨
Trans: Mr. Webster understood the reality that each of us will stand in judgement before the Lord and give an account for how we have managed the blessing.
Quote: To whom much is given much is required; but all will give an account for what they have been given.
IV God Desires Equal Commitment, Not Equal Contribution
Bible: Jesus taught us about this truth when he spoke of the widow/s mite. Mk 12
Idea: The wealthy person who gives a substantial gift may not be giving sacrificially, while the person w/ less who makes a relatively smaller gift may actually be giving sacrificially.
Note: Giving sacrificially requires that a person give out of need and not out of abundance. One must give up something, not just give away something.
Idea: True sacrifice always results in personal cost to the giver.
V God Blesses the Giver in Proportion to His Giving
Idea: God doesn¡¦t need anything; yet He wants us to grow in grace by giving.
Verse: Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into you lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Lk. 6:38
Story: A Christian Philanthropist was asked, ¡§How is it that you give so much away and yet have so much left over? He replied, ¡§I suppose it¡¦s like this. I shovel out, and God shovels in, and he has a bigger shovel than I do!
