TOPIC: Stewardship; Consecration, Giving, Tithing
TITLE: STEWARDSHIP - Good Stewards Demonstrate Good Stewardship!
TEXT: Haggai 1:4
TRUTH/CONTEXT: Jesus turned the concept of devotion to God on its ear when He ignored the Ten Commandments in favor of “the two greatest commandments”:
But the question remains, “How do we do this?” One way is in our stewardship!
Like it or not, the local church is the outward representation of the Temple of God in our world … through it we give testimony of our devotion/consecration to our Lord. When that testimony suffers due to a lack of attention, or when our homes receive more attention than the House of God, something is wrong in Zion!
Christians in this country seem to feel it’s wrong to preach on money. But the church runs on money.
Some feel money should be discussed at business meetings or on Sunday evenings or in Deacon’s Meetings but … you don’t come to Business Meetings or to Sunday Evening services and deacons aren’t elders.
INQUIRY: What principles of stewardship does the Bible provide to the church?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. PRINCIPLE #1: The quality of His house is paramount to God! [Haggai 1:4 (3-6)]
Did you notice that there is an implied promise with each of these passages?
Other principles are taught in the Bible but the Lord wanted you to remember these.
I am unaware of any member, past or present, who has planned a part of his or her estate to go to this church; there may be, but I am unaware of any. This church ought to be an heir of your estate.
Your giving is not to be the tithe alone. Giving is from all the blessings of God: financial, material, time, talent, and prayer.
Giving is one of the great joys of life in Christ!
TITLE: STEWARDSHIP - Good Stewards Demonstrate Good Stewardship!
TEXT: Haggai 1:4
"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?"INQUIRY: What principles of stewardship are provided to the church?
TRUTH/CONTEXT: Jesus turned the concept of devotion to God on its ear when He ignored the Ten Commandments in favor of “the two greatest commandments”:
“And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” On these two commandments de-pend the whole Law and the Prophets.’”Take close note that “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”Matthew 22:35-40
But the question remains, “How do we do this?” One way is in our stewardship!
Like it or not, the local church is the outward representation of the Temple of God in our world … through it we give testimony of our devotion/consecration to our Lord. When that testimony suffers due to a lack of attention, or when our homes receive more attention than the House of God, something is wrong in Zion!
Christians in this country seem to feel it’s wrong to preach on money. But the church runs on money.
Some feel money should be discussed at business meetings or on Sunday evenings or in Deacon’s Meetings but … you don’t come to Business Meetings or to Sunday Evening services and deacons aren’t elders.
[SAGA OF LAURA MAY] This is Laura May the church lawn mower (I actually brought the machine in). In reality, I am the lawn mower; I use this machine to mow the church grounds (and it's not my job).You say, “How am I to know something is needed?” Well, through stewardship! GET INVOLVED!
Laura May is a unique model: she’s a three-wheeled, oil-leaking, grass-clogging, backbreaking, hard-starting, pigeon-toed, 7 year old hag that is too old and too expensive to fix. And my family gave the money to the church to buy her in the first place.
Laura May is only one thing that is broken down around here. We have two doors over at the Annex that need repairs; a parking lot that’s hurting; a room divider that needs to be refurbished; painting; etc.
INQUIRY: What principles of stewardship does the Bible provide to the church?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. PRINCIPLE #1: The quality of His house is paramount to God! [Haggai 1:4 (3-6)]
II. PRINCIPLE #2: The quality of His family is paramount to God! [Matthew 10:37 (34-39)]"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?"A. Poor stewardship results in a poor return on investment.
B. Implied is God’s jealousy.
C. E.g., the Tabernacle and the Temple were both works of art and expensive.
III. PRINCIPLE #3: The quality of our devotion is paramount to God! [Luke 12:21 (16-21)]"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”A. Oh, yes it does!
B. But men, we are not to neglect our families. [1 Timothy 5:8]
IV. PRINCIPLE #4: The quality of our gifts is paramount to God! [Malachi 1:6 (6-9)]"So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."A. You plan for your retirement in vain.
B. You calculate your rewards in vain.
V. PRINCIPLE #5: The quality of our hearts is paramount to God! [2 Corinthians 9:7 (6-15)]"'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name.”A. Old Testament priests are NT saints believers.
B. God is not referring to tithes but offerings.
APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Is your home in good condition and repair while His house lies desolate? Do your relatives receive more of your time and devotion than the Lord does? Where is your treasure laid up? Is the Lord honored and respected by your offerings? Do you give as you have prospered?“Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.”A. Giving in tithes and offerings is to bring joy.
B. I did a favor for a neighbor but he was determined to give me something for doing so … it took the edge off my joy.
Did you notice that there is an implied promise with each of these passages?
Other principles are taught in the Bible but the Lord wanted you to remember these.
I am unaware of any member, past or present, who has planned a part of his or her estate to go to this church; there may be, but I am unaware of any. This church ought to be an heir of your estate.
Your giving is not to be the tithe alone. Giving is from all the blessings of God: financial, material, time, talent, and prayer.
Giving is one of the great joys of life in Christ!
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