Financial Stewardship

Financial Stewardship - Notes

Wisdom & Finances

Introduction

• God has given us more than 800 Scriptures about money.
• Budgeting

Luke 14:28–30

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish’?"

• Debt

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Proverbs 13:11

"Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

• Saving

Proverbs 21:20

"In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”

Proverbs 6:6–8

"Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.”

• Career

Proverbs 24:27

"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.”

Psalm 20:4

"May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

2 Thessalonians 3:10

"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”

Proverbs 1:5

"A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel."

The Promise - God’s Promise to provide

• Malachi 3:10 - try me now in this!
• Matthew 6:19-34 - Seek his kingdom

The Purpose - The designation of our provision

• Giving to God
• Proverbs 3:9-10, honor the Lord with your first fruits.

Honor! God is not an investment portfolio, 401k or savings account that we can draw against. Giving to God is not for a return but the opportunity to honor God. What we have he has given us. 

• Matthew 6:19-34
• Giving to man 2 Cor 8:13-15

The Path - How we conduct ourselves in His provision

• Our attitude in His provision - 2 Corinthians 8:1-24
• v-2  - Liberality- 1 singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty

1the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy

2not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity

• v.10-12 - don't start and then stop, complete what you began.
• v13-15 - It is through one’s abundance that those who lack are upheld.
• v-24  - Proof of your love. Our words must have actions. Love is not an adjective, its a verb. a word of action. “If you love me, show me.”