Matthew 25:14-30, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Malachi 3:10-11

Bible Gateway website with ESV as Bible version:

• Baptism = 26 verses
• Prayer = 154 verses
• Faith = 458 verses
• Love = 686 verses
• Money, others = 1,139 verses
• Matthew = 88 times
• Mark = 54 times
• Luke = 92 times
  • Stewardship
    • “the most important thought that ever occupied my mind is that of my individual responsibility to GOD.” Daniel Webster

CENTRAL EMPHASIS: Biblical Stewardship is the use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given goals.

• I. GOD is the SOURCE of EVERYTHING
  • Matthew 25:14-18
  • 1. GOD is the OWNER
    • v.14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property”
    • GOD is the Source. All Others are just the Resources.
    • Everything we Have Comes from GOD
  • 2. GOD has the RIGHTS
    • v.15 “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one to each, according to his ability”
    • GOD has Purposes and Reasons for the Allocation of HIS Resources.
  • 3. STEWARD has the RESPONSIBILITY
    • v.16 “He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more”
    • Every Spending Decision is a Spiritual Decision
  • 4. STEWARD is ACCOUNTABLE
    • v.19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”
    • How we Handle the Resources that we Have will Determine what we will Receive in the Future.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:10
    • “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of righteousness”.
• II. GRACE GIVING vs TITHING
  • Leviticus 27:30
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
  • 1. TITHING – “portion” giving
    • Tithe is not a Debt we Owe; it is a Seed we Sow
  • 2. GRACE GIVING – “proportion” giving
    • Principle of Sowing and Reaping;  you Sow little, you will Reap little, you Sow much, you will Reap much.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:2
    • “on the first day of the week each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income”
  • When GOD gives you more, it is not to Increase your Standard of LIVING, but to Increase your Standard of GIVING.
• III. GIVING Beyond TITHING
  • Malachi 3:10-11
  • 1. PUTTING GOD FIRST
    • v.10 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse…”
    • Giving to GOD is a matter of Priority.
    • Honor the LORD with your Wealth from the First of All your Produce.
  • 2. PROVING GOD
    • v.10 “And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD…”
    • GOD is indeed Trustworthy!
    • Our Obedience in GIVING is the Evidence of Our trust in GOD
  • 3. PROVISION by GOD
    • v.10 “pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need”
    • The LORD Provides, Protects and Keeps our Resources Safe
  • 4. PARTICIPATING IN GOD’s WORK
    • v.10 “that there may be food in my house
    • Voluntary Giving of the People of GOD
    • “To contribute Cheerfully and regularly for the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations;” (From the UBC's church convenant)
  • 5. PRACTICING OUR FAITH
    • Discipline
    • Decision
    • Start Tithing, Start Giving, Start Trusting GOD and Start Enjoying the Blessings of GOD.
      • 1. Money and Possessions are very Effective tools to Shape us
        • Are you a Good Steward of Christ?
      • 2. Money and Possessions are very Effective Tests to Prove us
        • Do you manage GOD given resources for the accomplishment of GOD-given goals?
      • 3. Money and Possessions are very Effective Testi-”money”
        • Do you honor GOD with your Money and Possessions?
  • A Faithful Steward uses God-given Resources for the Accomplishment of God-given Goals.