Stewardship

Just a quick word on a very important topic.  Stewardship.

Sunday was “Stewardship Sunday”: at our church.  Three lay speakers shared with the church on three key ideas.

First that we should grow in our giving.  We are in a process of sanctification.  Perfection will be reached only in heaven.  Likewise with giving.  If you can’t give a “tithe” (literally a tenth) then give what you can and grow in that direction.

Luke 21:2-4 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” 

Leviticus 27:30 30 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.

Second – stewardship is more than just giving.  It’s a way of life.  Good money management as well as thinking properly about our wealth.  Ultimately we have to grow to understand that we aren’t giving God a portion of what is ours we are keeping most of what He gives us.

ESV Psalm 24:1 A PSALM OF DAVID. The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Some of us have learned that the tenth is only a beginning and are exploring the joy of giving more to God than his minimum requirement!

Lastly we remembered that our giving to God through the Church is a mechanism to share the wealth He has given us with the world.

Acts 2:43-47 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

It’s all about sharing the Gospel.  So grow in giving to your local church and you will be investing in the salvation of the world:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.