Stewardship, Tithing & Giving

STEWARDSHIP, TITHING & GIVING

OPENING:

This morning I want to talk to you about the topic of Stewardship, Tithing and Giving.

• This is a challenging topic because some people say, “The church just wants your money!” not to mention all of the abuses seen in TV preachers who manipulate people to give. But what saith the Scriptures?

• QUOTE: Jerry Cook writes, “The subject of money in the church world is loaded with emotional, legalism, fear, nonsense and borderline religious magic.”

• STATS: 16 of the 38 parables Jesus taught are about money. Jesus spoke more on the topic of money than he did heaven & hell combined.

• There are over 2,000 verses on money in the Bible & only 500 on prayer

• SCRIPTURE: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

• So far this year, I have shared with you God’s Word on relationships, knowing God, defeating discouragement, using your gifts, the death and resurrection of Jesus, Healing, the Kingdom of God, and more. Today, let’s talk about money!

I. STEWARDSHIP

Any discussion about money must begin with the topic of stewardship. What is that?

KEY TEXT:

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalm 24:1).

“In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.” (Gen. 1:1).

“So God created man in His own image… Then God blessed them, and said, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it, have dominion…” (Gen. 1:27-28).

• QUOTE: Tom Gardner writes, “A steward is someone who has been entrusted with the resources of another… A steward stands in stark contrast to the consumer or user… The basis of stewardship is the recognition that God owns everything and we own nothing.” (Purses with Holes).

• It’s not just about money. God wants us to be good stewards of our time, talents, and our tithe.

BIBLE STORY: That illustrates the principle of stewardship

14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ’Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ’Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ’Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ’Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ’Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 But his lord answered and said to him, ’You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 25:14-30).

• We must remember that the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.

• It all belongs to Him, and we must be good stewards of all He blesses us with!

II. TITHING:

1. Tithing was not a part of the OT law.