STEWARDSHIP GIVING

Witnessing Habit

OWNERSHIP IS WITH GOD. Every single created thing, living or not, material or immaterial that we may personally have in this life belongs to God.

Psalms 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is Jehovah's, and the fullness of it; the world, and those who dwell in it.

1 Chronicles 29:10-14 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, 0 LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, 0 LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, 0 LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

STEWARDSHIP IS WITH US. We are therefore not owners but stewards. God holds us accountable for the special responsibility of managing and taking care of the things He has given us. Stewards are expected to be faithful.

Read Matt. 25:14-30.
Before God, stewardship covers everything that belongs to us:

1. Our life Job 33:4 \God's Spirit has made me. The breath of the Almighty gives me life.

2. Our time Psalms 90:12 Teach us to number each of our days..

3. Our talents & abilities 1Peter 4:10 Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.

4. Our possessions, wealth, finances 1Timothy 6:7 We didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out of it.

DISCIPLESHIP AFFECTS OUR ATTITIJDE TO WEALTH. Money is neutral, and it is not evil. The love of money is evil. Love of money competes with love for God and with the purposes of God.

1Tim 6:6-10 We brought nothing into this world, we can take nothing. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief.

Luke 12:29-31 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

THE PRACTICE AND HABIT OF GIVING:

1. Early churches gave, even sacrificially
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their exbeme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

2. The churches supported ministries
Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Hebrews 7:5 ..., who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the Tora (guidance ... often tranlated as law),...

1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

3. Folloers of Yeshua worked to be able to give
Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

GOD'S PRINCIPLES OF GIVING

1. God expects us to begin with a percentage.
Malachl 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,"says the LORD Almighty, "and see ifiwill not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Num.18:.21 I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.

2. We are to give systematically and regularly.
2 Chron. 31:11,12 Hezekiah gave orders to prepare storerooms in the temple of the LORD, and this was done. Then they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts. Conaniah, a Levite, was in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was next in rank.

3. We are to give the first and the best to the Lord.
Prov. 3:9,10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

4. The wisdom of giving generously:
2 Cor 9:6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

WHAT TO DO TO START THE WEALTH HABIT

• Know and understand the kinds of giving as Yeshua wanted it.

• Be acquainted with a stewardship giving.

• Start stewardship giving.