Stewardship

Day 1

Everybody likes the idea of generosity. The problem arises for some when it's time to write out the check. There always seems to be some extenuating circumstances. We have insufficient savings, or we don't agree with the church's spending policies. There are many key(?) excuses for not giving to the Lord's work. We'll examine some this week.

It is interesting that the tithe is so important a part of the Testament but is rarely mentioned in the New Testament. From this fact, some have concluded that God no longer requires or expects 10% giving form his people. But the scarce mention of the tithe in the New Testament is evidence not that God expects less of us today, but that he envisions FAR MORE!

Because Jesus has accomplished our redemption and the age of the Spirit has come, so the New Testament logic goes, appealing to the tithe laws is unnecessary. The New Testament nowhere commands 10% giving, but John the Baptist raises the bar to 50% (Luke 3:11), and Jesus exhorts to give 100% (Luke 21:1-4) When Paul writes that "each man must give what he has decided in his own heart," he is not giving us license to be stingy, but urging us to freely give anything up to 100 %. No, the tithe does not apply to us in the same way that it did in the Old Testament; it is only the start blocks for a much more extravagant New Testament generosity.

Let's consider this thought... God doesn't need my money.

This is a good point! In the Scriptures, He says, "I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine and the cattle on a thousand hills... If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine and all that is in it" (Psalm 90:5-12).

I think that those who understand the importance of giving would do well to remember this! This is not to say that God doesn't need our money, so we should not give. He doesn't need our money, but He does want it - not for its own sake, but as a token of our total commitment to Him in response to WHAT HE HAS SUFFERED FOR US (Matt 6:21).

As it turns out, giving to God is actually in our own best interest. We should give to God not because He needs it, but because WE need it. (Philippians 4:17).

Meditate on this today... Philippians 4:10-20.

How many times have you heard it said (or you said it yourself) "I'm up to my eyeballs in debt and I cannot give the way I would like to God."

The Christian in debt does have an obligation, not only to his creditors but also to God, to pay off his debts and, what is more, to seek to stay out of debt in the future. But, the responsibility to pay off debts does not cancel out our responsibility (or those who say this) to give to the Lord.

Specifically the Bible tells us to give to the Lord from our "firstfruits," that is off the top, the first of our income, the best of our income. Larry Burkett wrote, "The first check we write belongs to the Lord and no one else, not even a creditor."

Sometimes people refrain from giving because it makes them feel financially insecure. God promises that giving to Him is the most secure financial move that we can make!

Think of it this way... If God gave up His own Son for us, surely we can count on Him to give us all things! For those who give, He will provide all they need at all times, even making them rich so that they can keep on giving.

We should make it a high and immediate priority to pay off our debts, but we should also give whatever we can in the meantime.

Check out these verses today: Romans 13:8, Proverbs 3:9, Romans 8:32, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

Have a great day!

I don't know about your yard, but the surfs up in mine! Hope you're staying above water both physically & spiritually.

As I stated on Sunday, here's a reason not to give that is very popular. "Next year, when I get my promotion I'll be able to give then."

I find it quite interesting that at every stage in life, there are appealing reasons not to give. If we stop to think about it every stage of life has economic vulnerability. But Scripture does not exempt the economically vulnerable from generosity. In face, quite ironically, there are many examples of generous givers from poor people!

Jesus tells us not to be afraid for our well-being. Our fitting response to our faith should be to put fear aside and lay up "treasures in heaven." Never forget that God knows what we need and promises to provide it.

If God is inviting you to give, however vulnerable you might feel, you need not fear for your security. But if you are waiting to give until you feel financially secure enough, that time likely will never come. The experience of His provision in our lives will come only after the act of giving. That is how faith works. God invites you to test Him in this.

Find the food for thought today in these passages: Matthew 6:32; Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Malachi 3:10.

Have a great day!

Well, we've made it to yet another weekend. Hope to be able to fellowship with you on Sunday.

According to Crown Financial Ministries, a young couple today may owe more than $140,000 within the first couple years of marriage.

We close the week with some basic steps to help one become debt-free. Please feel free to apply these to yourself, or share them with someone you know that is financially struggling.

1. Transfer ownership - We must willingly surrender our will and possessions to God. - Psalm 8:6

2. Give the Lord His part - After the transfer, Give God the first part; the tithe of the gross income. Here is something to consider, if you withhold from God, it's an indication that you haven't transferred ownership.

3. Allow no more debt - Don't use any more credit cards or credit until all outstanding credit is paid for (except home mortgage).

4. Develop a realistic budget - Have a written budget that allocates the proper amounts for your living expenses. Also, if you need to generate more monies by taking a second job, or by working overtime, all of this money needs to go to eliminate the debt.

5. Retire the debt - Pay extra on the debts with the highest interest rates first. If all rates are similar, pay off the smallest balance. When that is done, apply that payment to the next balance and continue doing until the debts are taken care of.

Study these verses today: Deuteronomy 15:6; Psalm 37:21: Romans 13:8