BF&M: Stewardship

Article 13: Stewardship— “God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth."

Memory Verse:

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Read each of the Scripture passages on biblical stewardship. Then match each set of references with the correct summary statement.

C 1. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1; 95:3-5; Haggai 2:8

A 2. Matthew 25:1-15; 1 Corinthians 4:1

B 3. Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 4:1

A. We are stewards; all we have is held as a trust. B. We must give an account of our stewardship to God. C. Everything belongs to God.

A Holy Trusteeship

Read Matthew 6:19-21. Treasures collected on earth (check all that apply)

[ ] perish; [ ] endure; [ ] bring happiness; [ ] glorify God.

A Christian can lay up treasures in heaven by (check all that apply)

[ ] Witnessing to a neighbor; [ ] giving to missions; [ ] conserving natural resources;

[ ] feeding a hungry person; [ ] saving money; [ ] teaching children about God

For the Glory of God

Each of the following assets comes from God. Identify one way you can be a better steward of each asset. The first one is completed as an example:

My body: Get a nutritional diet, sufficient exercise, and adequate rest.

My mind: ____________________________________________________

My abilities: __________________________________________________

My time: _____________________________________________________

My influence:__________________________________________________

My spiritual gifts:_______________________________________________

Read each Scripture and match each reference with the correct summary statement.

A 1. Matthew 6:1-4

E 2. Matthew 23:23

H 3. Luke 12:16-21

B 4. Acts 17:24

G 5. Acts 20:35

C 6. 2 Corinthians 9:7

D 7. Philippians 4:11-12

F 8. 1 Peter 1:18-19

A. Don’t be a show-off in helping others. B. God made everything and is the Lord of all. C. God loves a cheerful giver. D. We should be content with what we have. E. When tithing, don’t neglect justice, mercy, faith. F. We were not redeemed with money but Christ’s blood. G. It is more blessed to give than to receive. H. It is foolish to store up treasures for yourself and not to be rich toward God.

The Tithe

Leviticus 27:30–32 ESV

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. 31 If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it. 32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord.

Malachi 3:10 ESV

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Tithe: One-tenth of a person’s income and belongings given to God through the church.

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 23:23 ESV

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Mark Each Statement T (true) or F (false).

F 1. Not all Christians are stewards.

T 2. A steward does not own what is entrusted to him.

F 3. Material possessions always indicate God’s favor.

T 4. We will be held accountable for our use of what God has given us.

T 5. Material possessions can be dangerous for a Christian.

F 6. Christian stewardship is motivated by obligation.

Read The Baptist Faith and Message article on stewardship. Underline five ways Christians should contribute of their means to advance Christ’s work on earth.

Prayer: Thank God that He has entrusted you as His steward and ask Him to help you be faithful to manage His resources.