God’s Economy (Session 1)

Connecting Generations Vision

Watch the video from last Sunday night

Explain the how our building serves as a barrier to our vision/mission

Desire God | Disciple Others | Devote Ourselves to Serve

Finding Our Place

We feel this is the best stewardship plan; other options actually cost more

As we think about this campaign, we believe God will raise the funds for what he desires to accomplish

It’s all his already. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills; he created the heavens and the earth. Creator=owner. So the money is there, it’s just not all in the same place

But it is not as though God does so without us. I’m convinced that in many ways, he wants to invite us into the blessing of being part of the way he brings about the growth of his Kingdom. Just as he appoints us as his messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so he appoints us as stewards of his riches. We have an opportunity to step-up. Our turn.

So that’s the hope of this study, that we would be shaped as faithful stewards

Introduction

We often struggle to be good stewards

I don’t mean you all don’t give enough as a church. I have seen the generosity of this church body. (Your individual self may be a different story). What I do mean is that just like every other aspect in the Christian life, we struggle. We forget. We grow weary of doing good. Because this life is hard. Sanctification is slow. Distractions and temptations are strong and plentiful.

We often wander off course. But before we get too far into the challenges of good stewardship, we need to remember what the point or goal of stewardship is.

I. The Goal of Biblical Stewardship

Not to become prosperous on earth

I do believe God may give us a blessing of his own choosing, in his own timing (God does promise to bless us through giving)

Malachi 3:10 “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.”

The Rich Young Ruler and Zacchaeus (But, he does not promise a financial return)

Luke 18:22 “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Luke 19:8 “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.””

We do not believe in a prosperity gospel that would teach God’s people to give in order to get more of what they gave, and I would rebuke any belief that God’s blessing is primarily revealed by the abundance or lack of earthly possessions.

Not to earn God’s approval

Once again, God is pleased when we walk in faithful obedience

1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

But legalistic ritual will not earn his grace

In Galatians 2:16, Paul reminds us that no one will be saved by works of the law, but only by faith in Christ Jesus

There is only one thing that qualifies us before God

Colossians 1:12 “…the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Titus 3:4–5 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us…according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

So, while our stewardship does please God, it is not as though we buy his grace through giving

To glorify and enjoy God

What’s at the end of the book?

It’s not God counting his money, it’s not us kicking back and relaxing in a heavenly retirement , it’s not him simply patting himself on the back (though he’s welcome to)

Revelation 21:1-7; it’s his people worshipping and rejoicing in God

Now that we understand the point of stewardship, we’ll consider potential challenges to faithful stewardship that would hinder that purpose

II. Challenges to Biblical Stewardship

I recognize we all have unique stories and are in unique situations

Testimony of being discipled, but the “rubber hit the road,” getting married/moving to 1st job, moving back to Cookeville, I still struggle against materialism

We don’t know what good stewardship is

ignorance

We are burdened by financial pressure

previous mismanagement, debt, unexpected hardship

Maybe we’re neither, but the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches and desire for other things enter in (Mk. 4:19) drawing our attention away from what is true and good

BUT wherever you are, God desires to draw you in. Not to take, but to give of his very own self

To the one who doesn’t know James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

To the burdened he says Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

To the one who’s gotten off track he says James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

So, with this in mind let look at some specific challenges that may hinder faithful stewardship

The Challenge of Debt

Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”

Proverbs are principles, not promises

The writer speaks from wisdom and experience that—often and logically—those who borrow are at the mercy of the lender and at times very critically

It does not mean that debt is inherently sinful, but we should exercise extreme caution and avoid it if at all possible

Ask if specific debts (acts of borrowing) would yoke us to another more strongly than to God himself

Remember Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”

Is this going to burden me to the point of enslavement?

Is it going to take a defining position in the way you structure your finances and stewarding?

The Challenge of Dishonest Gain

Ephesians 4:28 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Most of us would say “I’m no thief!”

Intentionally reporting inaccurately on taxes

Misusing a company card or falsifying an expense report

Fudging your time-card

Laziness at work

The Challenge of Distraction

So much of our struggles in stewardship are rooted in distraction; you could maybe even argue that they all are

Idolatry

Wanting a comfortable or specific life/style

Pride

Allowing your finances to be guided by people’s perception of you

Control

We see the money/possessions we have as our own

Doubt in God’s provision

Holding onto our money in fear

All these challenges are real. Debt and dishonest gain and distractions constantly fight against us. But Christ tells us to Luke 12:31 “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

III. Conclusion

The glory of God and our deepest enjoyment of him is too great, and too precious a thing to allow these challenges to hinder us from walking in the invitation he has put before us to live out his will for our lives

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

May our hearts treasure nothing other than the glorious, gracious, merciful, eternal, providing God

God is not concerned with our hearts because he wants our money, he’s concerned with our money because he wants our hearts.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

How have you been distracted?

Where are you in your stewardship (1b, 1c, or 1d)

What is your heart treasuring? What do my finances show? How can I change it?

How does the goal of stewardship effect the way you see giving?

Seek the Lord’s will for your life

Offer the book

It’s not perfect. Only one resource we recommend is inerrant, authoritative and sufficient. So I encourage you to read it with your Bible open and alongside others—do that and I believe God will use it.