{"id":45,"date":"2009-02-23T16:36:59","date_gmt":"2009-02-23T16:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=45"},"modified":"2009-02-23T16:36:59","modified_gmt":"2009-02-23T16:36:59","slug":"sunday-august-8-2008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=45","title":{"rendered":"Sunday, August 8, 2008"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stewardship<\/span><\/span>:\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonoring God with What We Have\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Various Texts<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/em> \u201cStewardship\u201d\u201d\u201dkind of a scary word, isn\u201d\u2122t it? (See PowerPoint #1)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Edwin Markham, The Parable of the Builders<\/span>, tells of a rich man who wanted to help other.\u00a0 <\/span>He came to a poor peasant living with his family in a tiny hut.\u00a0 <\/span>The rich man employed the peasant to build for him a beautiful house.\u00a0 <\/span>To save money so his profit could be more, the peasant used the cheapest materials he could find, secretly enjoying outwitting the rich man.\u00a0 <\/span>He also gave his slackest effort to the project.\u00a0 <\/span>When the house was finally completed, the rich man returned to inspect it.\u00a0 <\/span>Then he shocked the builder, \u201cThis is your house,\u201d he said, \u201cit\u201d\u2122s my gift to you and your family!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.\u00a0 <\/span>Enter into the joy of your Lord\u201d (Matt. 25:23).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u201d\u2122t you want to hear those words from your Lord, one day?<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

John Wesley said, \u201cWhen the possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being and placed you in this world, He placed you here not as an owner but as a steward\u201d (Swindoll, 534).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ron Blue:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStewardship is the use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given goals\u201d (Swindoll, 534).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*Every believer must understand that we are called to honor God through faithful stewardship of all that we have.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

HOW<\/span><\/span><\/strong> does Scripture show us this?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Notice the following 3<\/span><\/em><\/strong> areas<\/strong> of stewardship that Scripture deals with:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We must . . . <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Honor God with Our TIME<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lloyd Cory:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTime is significant because it is so rare.\u00a0 <\/span>It is completely irretrievable.\u00a0 <\/span>You can never repeat it or relive it\u201d (Swindoll, 571).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ecclesiastes 3:1\u201d\u201d\u201cTo everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ephesians 2:10 \u201d\u201c \u201cFor we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 6:20\u201d\u201d\u201cFor you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God\u201d\u2122s.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 5:14-15\u201d\u201d\u201cFor the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus:\u00a0 <\/span>that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Our lives are not ours\u201d\u201dwe are Jesus\u201d\u2122 servants!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Colossians 4:5-6\u201d\u201d\u201cWalk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.\u00a0 <\/span>Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u201d\u2122s always time to witness for Christ\u201d\u201din word and in deed, no matter what the circumstances!<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>How we use our time is a KEY part of our faithfulness to God and being good stewards for Him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Honor God with Our POSSESSIONS<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Timothy 6:17-19 [READ]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, some of you may object and say, \u201cWell, this isn\u201d\u2122t for me, cause I\u201d\u2122m not rich.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>Oh yes, you are!\u00a0 <\/span>According to a Stanford University study of the world\u201d\u2122s population, over 95% of Americans are among the world\u201d\u2122s most wealthy people\u201d\u201din the top 8%!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4<\/span><\/span><\/em> Principles:<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

a)\u00a0 <\/span>Enjoy<\/span> What You Have (17c)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

b)\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u201d\u2122t Be Proud<\/span> of What You Have (17a)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Luke 6:24\u201d\u201d \u201cBut woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

c)\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u201d\u2122t Trust<\/span> In What You Have (17b)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Proverbs 23:5\u201d\u201d\u201cWill you set your eyes on that which is not?\u00a0 <\/span>For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

d)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Share<\/span><\/span> What You Have (18-19)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[2 Funny PowerPoint Slides about Giving]<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Honor God in Our GIVING<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

George W. Truett, the pastor of First Baptist Dallas, TX for 47 years, once said, \u201cA man right about this question . . . is likely to be right, or easily led to be right, on every other question of religion.\u00a0 <\/span>A Christian man wrong on this question . . . is likely to be seriously wrong on every other question of religion!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus said it best:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 6:21\u201d\u201d\u201cFor where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus told 19 parables, 12 of which were about money or giving.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 [READ]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

a)\u00a0 <\/span>The Reality<\/span> about Your Giving <\/em>(6)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Law of the Harvest<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do you want God\u201d\u2122s bountiful reward in heaven?\u00a0 <\/span>Then give liberally, generously!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u201d\u2122t ask, \u201cWhat can I spare?\u201d, but \u201cWhat can I share?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the IRS, people earning less ($10-15K) are 10 times more likely to make charitable contributions than people making more ($50-100K).\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe higher the taxpayer\u201d\u2122s income, the less likely he or she is to give\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

W. S Tulner:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe who is not liberal with what he has, does but deceive himself when he thinks he would be liberal if he had more.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 19:26-29 [READ]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If God were to give back to you 10X what you gave last Sunday, would you be able to live on it this week?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

b)\u00a0 <\/span>The Requirement<\/span> concerning Your Giving <\/em>(7)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God\u201d\u2122s requirement is intentional, hilarious giving!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Exodus 36:2-7 [See Later]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Look at 2 Corinthians 8:1-5<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4 <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Principles:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Our giving should be . . .<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1)\u00a0 <\/span>Steady<\/span> (2a)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2)\u00a0 <\/span>Sacrificial<\/span> (2b-3)\u201d\u201dNT Giving =Tithe + Grace<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo give less under grace than we give under law is a disgrace\u201d (R.G. Lee).\u00a0 <\/span>The tithe is the floor not the ceiling on NT giving!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A pastor once told his fashionable congregation:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMany of you came to church this morning riding in stolen cars, wearing stolen clothes, and adorned in stolen jewelry, because you paid for those things with money which you withheld from God.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3)\u00a0 <\/span>Sincere<\/span> (4)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4)\u00a0 <\/span>Surrendered<\/span> (5)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

THIS is the key!\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 8:9\u201d\u201d\u201cFor you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

c)\u00a0 <\/span>The Reassurance<\/span> concerning Your Giving<\/em> (8-11)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You can\u201d\u2122t outgive God!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u201d\u2122t have to worry about not having enough after you give.\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u201d\u2122t have to wonder whether that 90% or less will be enough.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Malachi 3:10\u201d\u201d\u201cBring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,\u201d says the Lord of hosts, \u201cif I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Luke 6:38\u201d\u201d\u201cGive, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom (lap).\u00a0 <\/span>For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is God who enables our giving!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

d)\u00a0 <\/span>The Results<\/span> of Your Giving<\/em> (12-14)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3<\/span><\/span><\/em> Results:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1)\u00a0 <\/span>Meet the Needs<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hudson<\/span> Taylor:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhen God\u201d\u2122s work is done God\u201d\u2122s way it will not lack for God\u201d\u2122s supply.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2)\u00a0 <\/span>Glorifies God<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3)\u00a0 <\/span>Is Evidence of Obedience to Our Confession!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

e)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The Reason<\/span> for Your Giving <\/span><\/em>(14c-15)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Christian giving comes from the grace of God in Christ Jesus given to, and working in, us!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cStewardship is NOT the church\u201d\u2122s plan for raising money!\u00a0 <\/span>It is God\u201d\u2122s plan for developing Christ-like character . . . The standard for grace-giving is the Cross where Jesus personally demonstrated how we are to give!\u201d (MVK, II).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/em>Sam Houston was an authentic America hero!\u00a0 <\/span>He was born in Virginia, was a Congressman, and later, the Governor of Tennessee.\u00a0 <\/span>As commander of the Texas army in the fight for independence from Mexico, he led the defeat of Gen. Santa Anna and the Mexican forces at the battle of San Jacinto.\u00a0 <\/span>When Texas became a republic in 1836, he was elected as its first president.\u00a0 <\/span>Men molded by the frontier knew how to fight, gamble, drink, cuss and kill.\u00a0 <\/span>So did Sam.\u00a0 <\/span>But later on, he married a devout Baptist wife who prayed for years that he would be saved.\u00a0 <\/span>Late in life, Sam Houston surrendered his life to Christ under the preaching of Dr. Rufus Burleson, then president of Baylor University.\u00a0 <\/span>Upon bringing him up out of the baptismal waters, Dr. Burleson said, \u201cNow, Sam, your sins are all washed away!\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>Houston replied, \u201cGod help all the fishes!\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>Just before he was baptized, Dr. Burleson suggested that he give his wallet to a friend so it wouldn\u201d\u2122t get wet.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNo, I believe not, Pastor\u201d\u201dI\u201d\u2122m afraid it needs baptizing, too!\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>And indeed, after his baptism, Houston began paying half of his pastor\u201d\u2122s salary and faithfully gave financial assistance to ministerial students at Baylor University until his death!\u00a0 <\/span>Sam\u201d\u2122s baptized billfold was proof that God had changed his heart by grace!\u00a0 <\/span>And if you\u201d\u2122ve gotten a real dose of God\u201d\u2122s grace in Jesus Christ, you\u201d\u2122ll be a giver that honors God with your money, your possessions and your time!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stewardship:\u00a0 \u201cHonoring God with What We Have\u201d Various Texts \u00a0 Introduction\u201d\u201d \u201cStewardship\u201d\u201d\u201dkind of a scary word, isn\u201d\u2122t it? (See PowerPoint #1) Edwin Markham, The Parable of the Builders, tells of a rich man who wanted to help other.\u00a0 He came … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-messages"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45\/revisions\/46"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}