1. PROPORTIONAL GIVING STEPPING OUT IN FAITH 1

2. STEWARDSHIP IS DISCIPLESHIP  God loves us and is calling us into relationship with Him.  Stewardship and Discipleship are about how you live your life as a result and reflection of that relationship. 2

3. DO WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT MONEY??? 3

4. YES!!! “Your checkbook is a theological document. It shows who and what you worship.” Billy Graham 4

5. PROPORTIONAL GIVING IN THE BIBLE There are many references to proportional giving in the Bible. Most refer to “tithing”.  Genesis 14:19-20; 28:20-22  Leviticus 27:30-34  Numbers 18:21 and 26  Deuteronomy 12:5-6; 14:22-29, 16:17  Malachi 3: 8-9; 10-12  Nehemiah 10:35-37  Amos 4:4-5  2 Chronicles 31:4-5  BCP Offertory Sentences pages 343-344, 376-377 “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17 5

6. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?  Tithe: 10% of your income given to God  Proportional Giving: A fixed percentage of your income given to God 6

7. LANE’S 6 VALUES OF STEWARDSHIP 1. Intentional 2. Regular 3. Generous 4. First 5. Proportional 6. Cheerful Teaching Proportional Giving gets you to most of these. 7

8. BENEFITS OF PROPORTIONAL GIVING  Helps people get their priorities straight  Provides a way to get started  Places equal value on all giving, regardless of amount  Combats fear and messages of scarcity  Builds faith 8

9. BENEFITS OF PROPORTIONAL GIVING  Provides a point of reference and reflection for those who already give  Creates an atmosphere of gratitude  BONUS: Helps people get a handle on their finances 9

10. “God’s stewardship expectations of us are not onerous burdens but rather gracious gifts. God graciously treats us as if we were the responsible disciples we have been called to be. In Jesus Christ we become coworkers with a creative God. Whatever God is doing in the world, God chooses not to do it alone. Something good is left for us to do. Our little lives are swept up into the grand drama of God’s redemption of the world.” Will Willimon, Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church 10