April 8, 2009

  • FOUNDATIONS [#11]

    Taught at Awana Varsity 1/7/2009
    based on the series www.marshillchurch.org/sermonseries/doctrine/
    reference the book "Bible Doctrine" by Wayne Grudem

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    God Gives... Stewardship

    1.  What does the New Testament teach about wealth?
      a.  it warns again the desire to be RICH 
          o  1 Tim 6:9-10, 18, 19; Heb 13:5-6
      b.  it gives some general GUIDELINES for what the rich should do
          o  1 Tim 6:17-19;  Matt 6:19-21;  Luke 12:32-34; 14:13-14
      c.  it explains WHY God has given us so much  (Eph 4:28)
          o  God blesses not to increase our standard of LIVING, but to increase our standard of GIVING
      d.  Who owns EVERYTHING?
          o  Deut 8:17-18;  Psalm 50:10;  Haggai 2:8;  James 1:16-18

    2.  What is stewardship?
    a.  A steward is… a person, who by God's grace, belongs to God.  And, because they belong to God they recognize that ultimately everything they are and have BELONGS to God and has been given to them as a GIFT.  Therefore, they then seek to both ENJOY the gifts God has given them as well as INVEST those gifts in others and the future by distributing them WISELY.
      b.  3 categories that we must steward... our TIME, our TALENTS, our TREASURE

    3.  How MUCH should I give?
      a.  Should I tithe?
    c.    In the New Testament financial giving among God's people focuses on GRACE,
            GENEROSITY, & the HEART.
      c.  Read 2 Corinthians 8-9... principles for giving...
          o  Giving is a JOY and an honor.
          o  Giving is a HEART issue, there is no standard.
          o  Giving should come from your FIRST FRUITS
          o  Giving should be done REGULARLY, CHEERFULLY ,& SACRIFICIALLY
          o  Giving is tied to your proportion of FAITH
          o  The amount is between you and GOD
          o  Giving is a SPIRITUAL GIFT (Romans 12)
      d.  Since God is ultimately the owner of all of our wealth the question is NEVER how much should I give to God, but rather how much of God's money should I KEEP?

    4.  Is Money Related To WORSHIP?
      a.  Jesus said that we cannot worship both God AND money, but we can and should worship God WITH our money (Mat 6:24).
      b.  KEY PRINCIPLES...
          o  More stuff won't make you more happy (Eccl 5:8-12)
          o  Jesus is a generous giver (2 Cor 8:9)
          o  It is more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35)
          o  We should grow in our giving (2 Cor 8:7)
          o  When we give, we are storing up treasures in heaven (Mat 6:19-21; 19:29; Phil 4:7).
          o  Our life follows our wealth (Mat 6:21)

    Stewardship does include all of our life, but the FIRST PRIORITY is to get our financial stewardship and church giving in order.