The Fast Tracks of Faith - Stewardship

Intro: When the builders of a proposed bridge across the Niagara Falls began construction many years ago, the first matter at hand was how to span the river w/ the suspension cables. Launching a simple kite, the builders were able to get a thin string across. Using the string, they drew a rope across, which was followed by a larger rope, then a small cable, and finally a cable heavy enough to use as support in building the bridge. When it was completed, the huge structure, that could support a train, showed no signs of having once been launched by a simple kite!

Trans: This story reminds us that to do a great work you must begin small and keep it simple. This is one of lifeˇ¦s foundational truths. We donˇ¦t have to make life complex. The same is true w/ stewardship. We donˇ¦t have to make it burdensome ˇV God intends it to be rewarding, fulfilling and exhilarating.

Trans: Last year, I shared a sermon on stewardship where I shared 2 base concepts.

1 Stewardship is not about your money, it is about your life.

Note: Stewardship is about how we manage our time, talents, etc. It is about giving to God the best of who we are and what we have received.

Verse: Where your heart is there your treasure will be. Mt. 6:21

2 Stewardship is about who is in charge of your life.

Verse: You shall have no other gods before Me. Ex. 20:2

Note: To address the issue of who is in charge, God requires His people to give the tithe. The Tithe simply reveals who is on the throne.

Quote: We show God that He is first in our lives when we give Him the best of who we are and what we have possessed.

Story: I heard a story of a missionary in Africa who received a knock on the door of his hut one afternoon. Answering, the missionary found a native boy holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said, ˇ§Reverend, you taught us what tithing is, so here ˇV Iˇ¦ve brought you my tithe.ˇ¨ As the missionary gratefully took the fish, he questioned the boy. ˇ§If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?ˇ¨ At this, the boy beamed and said, ˇ§Oh, theyˇ¦re still back in the river. Iˇ¦m going back to catch them now.ˇ¨

Define: Compound word - meaning law and house ˇV Stewardship is managing oneˇ¦s house or managing the affairs of another.
Trans: Concerning stewardship, letˇ¦s start small and letˇ¦s keep it simple. Our aim is to grasp the essential principles which undergird a strong Christian life. Yet while these truths are simple, they are also ˇ§non-negotiable.ˇ¨

I Godˇ¦s Owns Everything

Idea: We often speak of our possessions, but according to the Bible, God owns it all and we own nothing ˇV we are stewards of everything God entrusts to us.

Verse: The earth is the Lordˇ¦s and everything in it. Ps. 24:1

Truth: We are stewards and not owners ˇV thus giving is nothing more than managing His assets and resources.

1 It all belongs to God.
2 God gives His property to us for our enjoyment & investment.
3 To keep perspective, God asks that we give Him the first 10%.
4 Those who live by the ownership principle, God blesses.
5 Those who steal from God, God disciplines.

Precept: Just b/c something is in your possession doesnˇ¦t mean it is your possession.

II Godˇ¦s Work Must Be Supported By Godˇ¦s People

The Reason People Give

„« Passion ˇV b/c they believe in the cause
„« Affiliation