New Hope Northwood: An Evangelical Free Church

Financial Stewardship

An area that many do not like to mention or address, but Jesus did often, is money and possessions. Jesus said that life does not exist in the abundance of possessions --- Luke 12:15. Life comes from Jesus and Him alone --- John 1:4. We will never find life in things, but we do need to be good stewards of what God has allowed us to have --- 2 Corinthians 9:7. We need to honor God by being faithful with what He has given us --- Proverbs 3:9

On Sunday mornings, we do not generally "pass the plate". Offerings may be placed in our offering box in the back of the sanctuary. Once a month we do take a special offering for missions work. Remember, finances give evidence as to where we are in our spiritual walk! We give to further the work of the Lord! All honor and glory to Him!

Below is an outline of a study on Biblical Stewardship, presented during the '05-'06 Winter Sunday School Quarter by Ted White:

Introduction

We will seek to understand what God’s Word has to teach us about Stewardship

Adapted from The Alliance for Saturation Church Planting-- Omega Course, Volume 4

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is the term used to describe the activity of a steward. A steward was one who controlled the possessions of his master. His role was a very responsible one, and it was vital that he be a person of honest character. The possibilities for theft or misuse of his master’s possessions were great.

What is Stewardship?

As we look at the principles concerning the steward we will see that true stewardship involves how we deal with the resources God has entrusted to us. This includes our:

· money · time · families

· possessions · bodies · ministry

The Issue of Faithfulness

Genesis 1:28 What was the responsibility given to Adam and Eve?

Genesis 2:15 Why did God place Adam where He did?

The Issue of Faithfulness

I Corinthians 10:26 What do we learn about all the "stuff" on this planet?

What does that make you and me with the "stuff" in our possession?

The Issue of Values

Matthew 6:21 How does Jesus tell us we can know what is really valued?

The Issue of Values

Matthew 22:37-39 What is the highest value of all?

What do other values concern?

Example of Stewardship

Genesis 39:2-9 Where do we see principles of stewardship in Joseph’s life?

Stewardship in Parables

What principles of stewardship are being taught in the following parables by Jesus?

Luke 12:42-48

Luke 16:1-12

Matthew 25:14-30

Giving Account

Romans 14:4-12; II Corinthians 5:10; I Corinthians 3:10-15 What is going to happen to each one of us?

Our Stewardship

Money

We are to give a portion it.

We are not to waste it.

We should only spend it on what pleases the Lord.

Only by giving to His Church or spending it on what pleases Him, we in essence give it back to Him.

More to come on financial stewardship.

Our Stewardship

Time

Psalm 139:16 How long do we have to live?

Romans 13:11-14 What is a motivation for living right?

Ephesians 5:15-17; Ephesians 2:10 How are we to use our time?

Our Stewardship

Possessions

Acts 2:44-45 How did the early church use their possessions?

Acts 4:34-37 What was one of the ways needs were met in the early church?

Our Stewardship

Body

I Corinthians 6:19-20 As a temple of God, how are we to live?

What are some ways we can honor God with our body?

Our Stewardship

Family

I Timothy 3:4-5 Why is this a good test for leadership in the church?

Our Stewardship

Ministry

I Peter 4:10 Who administers God’s Grace?

Tithing in the Old Testament

Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:23-24 How were the Israelites to give?

Malachi 3:8-12 What were the Israelites doing?

Free-will Offering for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-8 How was this offering to be given?

Exodus 36:4-7 When the need was made known, why was the offering stopped?

David’s Example of Giving

I Chronicles 21:24 What was David not willing to do?

I Chronicles 29:1-5 How much did David provide for the temple to be build from his own resources?

David’s Example of Giving

I Chronicles 29:6-9 How did David’s giving affect the leadership?

I Chronicles 29:10-20 What attitudes toward giving do we see in David’s prayer?

Giving out of Poverty

Luke 21:1-4 Why did Jesus praise the widow lady?

Giving to Support Leaders

Who is supported in the following passages? How is the support received?

Luke 8:1-3

Luke 10:5-8

I Corinthians 9:4-14

Giving to Support Leaders

Who is supported in the following passages? How is the support received?

I Timothy 5:17-18

Philippians 4:15-20

Giving to Support Saints in Need

I Corinthians 16:1-2 How were they to go about the collection?

II Corinthians 8:1-6 What does Paul share about the Macedonian churches?

Giving to Support Saints in Need

II Corinthians 9:6-11 What principles of giving do we find in this passage?

Personal Giving

IN GOD’S ECONOMY THE ABILITY TO GIVE AND RECEIVE IS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES

Personal Giving

In God’s economy the ability to give and receive is not restricted to the available resources.

I Kings 17:7-16 What principle of giving do we find here?

Personal Giving

Mark 6:30-44 What was available and How was it used to meet the need?

WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO GIVE IS ENOUGH IN GOD’S HANDS TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE DESIRES

Personal Giving

Did the requirement to tithe (giving of a tenth) in the Old Testament cease in the church?

Personal Giving

FROM NEW HOPE’S MEMBERSHIP BOOKLET

Principles from Malachi

3:9 The people were under a curse for robbing God

Test God and see Him provide as we obey

3:10-12 God would bless them if they brought in the whole tithe

Personal Giving

I hear some say that this message in Malachi does not apply to us. I will answer with a question- Do the other parts of Malachi’s message apply to us today?

2:7 For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction- because he is a messenger of the Lord Almighty.

Are people still to learn from godly leadership today?

Personal Giving

I hear some say that this message in Malachi does not apply to us. I will answer with a question- Do the other parts of Malachi’s message apply to us today?

2:13-16 God’s teaching about the sanctity of marriage and God’s revulsion toward divorce.

Does God feel the same way about divorce today?

Personal Giving

I hear some say that this message in Malachi does not apply to us. I will answer with a question- Do the other parts of Malachi’s message apply to us today?

3:5 God will judge sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice.

Does God feel the same way about this today?

Personal Giving

These principles still apply to us from the Book of Malachi.

Why wouldn’t tithing?

Budgeting --Living Within Your Income

THESE GUIDELINES ARE ADAPTED FROM THE FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKBOOK by Larry Burkett

Matthew 22:37-39 What two areas are we to consider when creating a budget?

Malachi 3:8-10 When establishing a budget, what is the first priority

Budgeting --Living Within Your Income

Areas included in budget: Tithing

Matthew 22:17-21 What is the second are we must consider?

I Timothy 5:8 Another area of responsibility is ___________________.

Budgeting --Living Within Your Income

Areas included in budget: Tithing, taxes, family needs

Psalm 37:21 Shows us that we are to pay ____________________

II Corinthians 8:14 What can we take part in if we have surplus?

Budgeting --Living Within Your Income

Areas included in budget:

Tithing

Taxes

Family needs

Debt Repayment

Surplus-- helping others

Top of Page

Site last updated February 2008 - New Hope: An Evangelical Free Church - 545 First NH Turnpike 03261 - www.newhopenorthwood.com