Stewardship Of Money 1

Introduction 2 The NT Scriptures have some great teaching about money and the wise use of it

I. God Is The Owner Of All Things 3

Ps. 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 4

1. As Creator Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” 5

Ps. 33:6-9 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses 6

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast 7

2. As Sustainer Heb. 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” 8

1 Chron. 29:10-12, 16 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 9

[11] Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 10

[12] Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 11

[16] O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 12

3. Every Good Gift Comes From God Js. 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 13

NKJV 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 14

4. We Must Choose Whom We Will Serve Mt. 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” 15

ESV "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.[a] 16

II. Christians Are His Stewards 17

1. Definition Of Steward One who manages or oversees the affairs or estate of another 18

Lk. 12:42-43, 48 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 19

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 20

2. Mt. 25:14-30 Parable of the talents 21

3. The Proper View Christians Should Have We must see ourselves as managers of the rich blessings of God --- then earthly concerns will not get in our way as we live the Christian life 22

III. Applying The Principles Of The Lesson 23

1. Earning Money God expects His children to earn a living 24

Gen. 3:17-19 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 25

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 26

2 Th. 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 27

Mt. 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 28

1 Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 29

2. Spending What We Earn Many spend what they do not have – this leads to conflict and unnecessary pressure 30

2. Spending What We Earn Someone has described the affluence of America like this: It is people spending money they don’t have on things they don’t need to impress people they do not like. 31

2. Spending What We Earn Credit cards have made it easy for us to spend what we do not have --- and many pay a heavy price for going too far into debt We need to be careful how much we borrow 32

Prov. 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 33

3. Saving One important reason to live on less than you make is so that you can save for the future We must be disciplined in saving for a house, college, retirement, etc. 34

3. Saving Saving is the practice of wise stewardship and it also provides for the financial needs that may arise in case of emergencies 35

4. Giving A very important part of Christian living and service to God is GIVING! 36

1 Cor. 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 37

4. Giving Scriptural giving allows for the work of the church to be carried out Evangelism, edification and benevolence 38

2 Cor. 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also 39

4. Giving This should be our first concern with all we earn God has always demanded the first fruits of ones increase – not what is left over when other obligations are met 40

4. Giving We must adjust our living to our giving Giving to God should be first, then the rest of needs will be met 41

Mt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 42

Conclusion In financial matters Christians should always use wisdom and caution in decision-making “How we manage the financial aspect of our lives has a direct impact on our families, the church, and our usefulness in God’s service.” 43

References Holiness and Personal Finance, Doug Young, Imitating Christ: Called Unto Holiness, Southwest Publications, 2008 (swcofc.org) (The material in this PowerPoint outline was taken from Doug’s fine article) 44