Biblical Stewardship
Thesis: The American Christian is in financial crisis because they have not stopped, looked and listened to God’s teaching from the Bible on Giving.
Text: Book of Malachi
Outline of Book:
I Love You 1:1-5
I See You 1:6-2:9
I Know You 2:10-4:6
Key verses:
1:2, “I have loved you, says the Lord…”
1:6, 7, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ “You place defiled food on my altar…”
2:17, “You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
3:6-12:
6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
Opening Illustrations about giving:
A preacher stood before his church and said, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the church has all the money it needs... The bad news is that it’s all still in your wallets.”... Contributed by: Jason Cole
LET THE CHURCH WALK
There is a story about a church in the south with a small but vocal “Amen Corner.” especially vocal was Deacon Jones, who led the “Amen Corner.”
So one day when Preacher Brown began his sermon with the words, “Let the church walk,” Deacon Jones shouted in response, “Amen! Let the church walk!”
Preacher Brown continued “Let the church run!” and Deacon Jones followed along with “Amen! Let the church run!”
Preacher Brown got even more wound up and exclaimed, “Let the church fly!” And Deacon Jones almost jumped out of his pew in crying “Amen! Let the church fly!”
And then Preacher Brown looked at them earnestly and said, “And if the church is going to fly, it will take money!”
Whereupon Deacon Jones replied, “Let the church walk!” Contributed by: Glenn Queener
A one dollar bill met a twenty dollar bill and said, "Hey, where’ve you been? I haven’t seen you around here much." The twenty answered (as the dollar bill listened enviously), "I’ve been hanging out at the casinos, went out on a cruise and did the rounds of the ship, back to the United States for a while, went to a couple of baseball games, to the mall, that kind of stuff. How about you?" The one dollar bill said, "You know, same old stuff, church, church, church." Contributed by: Victor Yap
Introduction:
I recall from the past and old song that went something like this “What the world needs now is love sweet love.” I hum it every once in a while and think but today I they would say, “What the world needs now is money sweet money.” Scott Titus said, “Its been said that the average American spends half his waking hours thinking about money.”
Finances – money – cash – the green stuff have torn apart many relationships in our culture today. There has been misunderstandings of financial resources and misappropriation of financial resources. This preoccupation with money has created some startling results in our world today listen to just a few that where mentioned by Scott Titus:
Nearly 80 percent of all divorced couples between the ages of 20 and 30 list financial difficulties as the primary cause of their separation.
Consumer debt is at an all time high-currently over 1.4 trillion dollars.
Us Credit card debt is over 500 billion dollars, and according to the Federal Reserve, American consumers add almost $5 Billion dollars a month to their credit card debt.
In the past ten years, credit card balances have increased a staggering 163%.
Even some of the most dedicated Christiana are facing the difficulty of overextended credit and bankruptcy. Last (2000) year alone 1.3 million personal bankruptcies were filed. Most people like you and me.
The nation’s debt is climbing. Prices are climbing, and suicide rates are climbing.
We today in our society today are facing major financial crunches. Bobby Eklund states:
Families are in financial crisis, not always because of economic downturns or situations out of their control, but because we normally bring these problems upon ourselves. Families have readily accepted the notion that the best way to get things done is through debt. It is not surprising since we are constantly bombarded with the suggestion that credit is the best route…Many families have never calculated their total debt on credit cards and other loans… The result is a family that lives in a house it can not afford, drives cars that are beyond the budget, and uses credit cards to help juggle the payments. Eventually it all comes to an end, and the family finds itself in the midst of financial collapse (10,11).
The latest statistics reveal the following about how most Americans spend their money:
From table 7-13 Consumer Expenditures – Handbook U.S. labor Statistics 2003 edition - Reference person age 45-54
Average Income before Taxes: $59,351
Average expenditures $49,111
Food at home: $3,718
Food away from home: $2,722
Alcoholic Beverages: $412
Housing: $14,662
**Household furnishings and equipment: $2,078
Apparel and Services: $2,391
Transportation: $9,090
Health care:$2,231
Entertainment: $2,378
Personal Care products and Services: $688
Reading: $203
Education: $1,083
Tobacco Products and Smoking Supplies: $403
Misc.: $1,130
Personal; Insurance and Pension: $6,631
Cash Contributions: $1,670
From table 7-12 Consumer Expenditures Handbook U.S. Labor statistics 2003 edition - Reference person age 35-44:
Average income: $55,026 before taxes taken out (gross)
Average annual expenditures: $46,786
Food at home: $3,666
Food away from home $2,777 (eating out)
Alcoholic Beverages: $458.00
Housing: $14,836
**Household furnishing included at $1,882
Apparel and services $2,394
Transportation: $8,671
Health care; $1,757
Entertainment: $2,564
Personal care products: $670.00
Reading Material: $165.00
Education: $602
Tobacco Products and smoking supplies $424
Misc.: $982
Personal Insurance and pensions: 5,780
Cash Contributions $1,040
Table 7-11 Consumer Expenditures - Handbook U.S. Labor statistics 2003 Edition - Reference person age 25-34
Average Income before taxes: $43,966
Average Annual expenditures: $40,001
Food at home: $3,020
Food away from home: $2,466
Alcoholic Beverages: $448
Housing $13,084
**Household furnishing $1,599
Apparel and services: $2,217
Transportation: $7,982
Health Care$1,265
Entertainment: $1,959
Personal Care Products and Services: $578
Reading Material: $126
Education: $544
Tobacco Products and Smoking Supplies: $309
Misc.: $834.00
Personal Insurance and Pensions: $4,423
Cash Contributions: $746
A Barna Report:
Debt
1. 37% of Americans report they are "in debt" (2000)
2. Blacks are more likely than whites or Hispanics to be "in debt" (46% of blacks are in debt compared to 36% of whites and 34% of Hispanics) (2000)
3. 43% of parents report they are in debt, compared to 34% of non-parents (2000)
4. Men are more likely than women to report they are in debt (41% to 33%, respectively) (2000)
5. Those with higher household incomes are less likely to say they are "in debt" (44% of those households that earn less than $30,000 agree that "in debt" describes them, compared to 37% of other Americans) (2000)
6. Protestants are 50% more likely than Catholics to say "in debt" describes them (40% to 26%, respectively) (2000)
7. 32% of adults report that they personally struggle with finances (2001)
8. women (36%) are more likely than are men (28%) to be struggling with finances (2001)
9. single adults (36%) are more likely than are married adults (28%) to report that they personally struggle with finances (2001)
Perceptions about money
• 33% of born again Christians say it is impossible for them to get ahead in life because of the financial debt they have incurred. (1997)
• 51% of Christians and 54% of non-Christians believe that no matter how they feel about money, it is still the main symbol of success in life. (1997)
• 19% of Christians and 20% of non-Christians believe that you can usually tell how successful a person is by examining what they own. (1997)
• 32% of Christians and 44% of non-Christians indicate that money is very important to them. (1997)
Giving to Churches
Churches continue to be the dominant recipients of people’s generosity. Close to two out of every three households (63%) donated some money to a church, synagogue or other place of religious worship during 2003. That percentage has remained constant since 2001, but is somewhat lower than the number of church donors identified in 2000 and in 1999 (66%).
The mean amount of money donated to churches and other worship centers in 2003 was $824. That is the highest mean since 2000, and is 14% higher than the giving level measured in 2002. Once again, the current level is somewhat below the donation level, calculated in constant dollars, of 2000.
In total, about three out of every four dollars donated by individuals in 2003 went to churches, synagogues and other religious worship centers. When contributions are examined as a percentage of household income, giving to religious centers represents about 2.2% of gross income.
Tithing Has Not Changed
In total, one out of every twenty households (5%) tithed their pre-tax income to non-profit organizations. A large majority of those individuals actually gave ten percent or more of their income to churches – a group that represents 4% of the national population of households.
When the survey examined the behavior of born again adults – those who have made a significant personal commitment to Jesus Christ and who believe they will experience eternal life because of their confession of sins and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their savior – the outcome showed just 7% had tithed to their church. That figure was consistent with the 2002 data among born again adults, which showed just 6% had tithed to their church. The current percentage is just half as many as had tithed in 2002 (14%). Interestingly, more than twice as many born again adults gave no money to a church last year (18%) as tithed to a church (7%).
Among the born again population, which represents 38% of all adults, the average giving to churches was $1411 – much higher than a year earlier ($1220), but below previous year’s totals. The amount of gross income donated by born again adults to their church averaged 3.8%.
I. Stop, In the name of Love!
i. Malachi 1:1-5 challenges us to stop the way we are living in the name of love.
1. Malachi 1:2, “I have loved you, says the Lord…”
a. The whole book of Malachi is written based of this premise. God loves them!
b. God sincerely loves his people therefore he is compelled to correct them and not to allow them to continue down a path that will bring only bondage and suffering.
2. This section reveals a picture of a people who imagine that they are right with God.
3. So what does Love have to do with how I give or others give?
a. Our patterns of giving tell God whether we love him or not.
b. You see when you love someone you give them the best not the second best or the leftovers.
ii. There are a few reasons why many are going down the wrong path in the Christian community today in regards to their giving to God. It all has to do with peoples mindsets.
1. Mindset #1 is “Greed verse need”
a. Farley notes, “Rather, it is the lust that makes me worldly, a lust that is energized by the lie that something other than God can satisfy” (32).
b. Zechariah 10:2 The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
c. Revelation 17, 18 paints a picture of the world as a seducing harlot. Harlots seduce with lies and pleasure that is short lived and then emptiness follows.
d. The world of greed is just like a harlot.
e. One way to get out of debt is to quit borrowing more and more money. It’s usually driven by greed not need.
i. Be frugal-purchase what you can afford.
ii. You will never get ahead by going further into debt or refinancing all the time.
iii. Larry Burkett reminds us: God’s word is sure and certain on this particular subject (Paying debts). When money is borrowed, there’s an obligation to pay it back, no matter what. To become debt free, it may be necessary to sacrifice, including eliminating all credit or selling your second car. It may mean repairing the refrigerator or washing machine instead of buying a new one. Do whatever you must to bring your debt under control; determine your priorities; and stick to them” (156).
2. Mindset #2 is “Discipline verse irresponsibility”
a. God desires discipline but discipline really comes from growing more intimate with the Lord.
i. Farley notes, “Using willpower to overcome worldly seduction is like telling a man who has gone without water for three days to control himself and quit being thirsty…the worldly man is convinced that popularity, success, or wealth will slake his thirst. But these are like spiritual salt water: They just make you thirstier” (32.
ii. P.T. Forsyth stated, “Unless there is within us a yearning for that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us” (33).
3. Mindset #3 is “Contentment mindset verse consumerism mindset.”
a. Farley states, “Opportunities to be a friend of the world abound. However, because love of the world separates us from God, every Christian who wants to be a friend of God must increasingly overcome the enticements of the world” (31).
b. I John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
c. He adds, “We must grasp a simple truth to understand what Scripture means by loving the world. Whatever I trust to provide ultimate happiness is my real god, and I will love it and serve it” (32).
d. Titus says, “No amount of money can buy financial freedom.” I say, “No amount of stuff can bring fulfillment and happiness in life.”
i. Our society screams at us everyday “Buy this and you will have it all.” But you buy it and discover you are still not satisfied. It’s a ruthless circle to con people into debt to make other s rich who still are not happy in life.
e. He also adds, “Contentment is knowing that you are in the will of God and that you are using all your resources for His purposes.”
i. This is where true contentment and peace come from.
T.S.- God tells His people in Malachi that he loves them but he know progresses on to tell them that he is not blind he sees what they are doing and they themselves need to take note.
II. Look, at your current financial condition and be honest with yourself and the Lord.
i. In Malachi 1:6-2:9 God makes it plain to the Israelites and us that he sees the way we handle our finances and our giving to Him.
1. God sees all! He sees the attitude of Israel’s heart. Their outward actions reveal their inward heart.
2. In verse 6 God reminds the people that He sees what they are doing and not doing.
3. God tells it like it is to the people here, “You just want to give me your leftovers!”
4. He also addresses the ones who should no better their Priests 2:1-9
a. The in this section reminds the Priests and the people that their forefathers revered and honored God.
b. He also reminds them of God’s promises from Deut. One like 15:10: Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
ii. So since God already knows what we do and do not do then we today should let him show us our spiritual condition.
1. Look around at your current financial condition and were your money goes.
a. Be honest with yourself and God.
i. Were does the bulk of your money go?
ii. I challenge you this week to monitor it!
b. Evaluate your Assets and your Debt ratio.
c. Do you Budget your finances with God in mind?
i. Does he get the first fruits? Do you Honor him with your first fruits?
ii. Larry Burkett states, “A verse in Proverbs says that God has asked for our first fruits: the first and best of all that we receive. That means that we should tithe from our total gross income before taxes. Any profit made from the sale of a home ought to be tithed upon, because it is, in fact, part of the first fruits. Other parts of our first fruits would be inheritances, insurance monies, dividends, and interest. These are all parts of our increase. A farmer first sets aside a portion from the harvest for seed to plant the following year. If he didn’t, he would have another crop. As Christians, our tithes are like seeds. Clearly, if we give to God the first part of everything that comes into our possession, we are honoring Him. It is an attitude of giving. And it is only by honoring the Lord from the first part of all we have that God can take control” (196).
iii. The truth is we need to be good Stewards of God’s resources:
1. A steward is like a manager of a local McDonald’s Restaurant who carries out the aims of the owners, maximizes profits, while handling all the problems. Dr. Towns teaches a stewardship lesson in the Pastor’s Bible Class at Thomas Road Baptist Church which is the most requested lesson of all he has taught. "Who Owns Your French Fries". It is the story of a man who buys his little boy some french fries. Then the father does what all fathers do, he reaches over and takes one french fry to taste it. The little boy slaps his father’s hand and says, "Don’t touch my french fries." The father thinks that his son is selfish. The father knows that he bought the french fries and they belong to him. The father knows that his son belongs to him. The father could get angry and never buy his son another french fry again to teach his son a lesson, or the father could "bury" his son in french fries. The father thinks, "Why is my son selfish, I have given him a whole package of french fries; I just want one french fry." God has given us money, when He asks for a tithe, people figuratively slap His hand and say, "Keep Your hands off my money." God owns everything we have. He wants us: 1. To manage what we have for His glory. God expects us to manage our time, talent, temple, testimony and treasures. 2. To give back a portion of what he has given us. Contributed by: Jerry Falwell
T.S. - God has warned his people to stop, because he love’s them. He challenges them to look at there condition honestly and he shows them what it looks like. Now he proceeds to challenge them to listen to his word and obey and He will bless them.
III. Listen, to what the Lord is telling you!
i. Malachi 3:6-12: 6“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.
1. He starts off telling his people that he does not and will not change his mind on giving or on disobedience to His word.
2. He then tells the people to repent to turn back toward his ways and not their sinful ways.
3. The people seem to play Colombo here and say, “What do you mean God?”
a. “We have not robbed from you!”
b. God reminds that they have! How? By withholding their tithes and offerings from His work.
i. Definition of tithe: Giving 10% of your income to the storehouse were you are fed spiritually. This would be the local church you are plugged into.
1. Mathematically it is a tenth. ". . . and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee" (Gen. 28:11).
2. Scripturally it is a law. "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase" (Deut. 14:22).
3. Morally it is a debt. ". . . Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings" (Mal. 3:8).
4. Economically it is an investment. "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matt. 6:20). "Give, and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38).
5. Spiritually it is a blessing. "I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10)
ii. A definition of an offering is anything above the tithe that goes to God’s Work.
1. Can be special projects, another ministry, a missionary and so on.
4. This section of Scripture 3:10-12 is one of the only places in the Bible were God says to test Him.
a. He wants you to take risks in this area of your life so he can bless you!
b. He wants to prove to you that he is the one that will supply all your needs!
c. He wants you to learn to trust him more!
d. He knows that if you defeat the love of money and give to him what belongs to him then you have grown into the Christian he wants you to be.
e. Stories for Preachers: When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ to render an account of our stewardship, we will fervently regret giving so little, since it is inescapably true that what we spend we lose; what we keep will be left to others; what we give away will remain forever ours.
Conclusion:
Financial management is all about your faith walk with the Lord. The more you become intimate with Him the more the things of this world have no power over you.
Larry Burkett reminds us, “Since finance is one of the most often discussed topics in the New Testament, it would seem obvious that God would use that area to test our obedience to Him. We must come to the point that God’s approval is more important than the world’s riches. Being obedient means being willing to do what God’s Word says, regardless of the cost. Then, and only then, will the full measure of God’s peace and power be experienced” (40).
Handout to congregation: Here is God’s offer to You!
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