STEWARDSHIP | Offering

STEWARDSHIP | Offering

Our Partnership with NLCC

Text

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NKJV

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

What is a Free Will Offering

It is an act of stewardship. A free will gift to support God's will being done in the earth. It is for the financial support of the local church. In carrying out God’s will.

Law of Sowing and Reaping

The greatest blessing is the result of the free will offering. God's blessing is on the 90% after we tithe.

The 90% will cover our needs as we trust God and practice good financial decision making.

But the blessing of offerings is an abundant return.

Offerings follow the law of sowing and reaping. When we sow bountifully we will reap bountifully.

What you sow will also be what you reap? Time, talent and/or treasure.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.

Egyptians casting seed on the flooded banks and in time crops grow.

Both involve the risk of first giving, with a hope of return.

God had already promised any seed you sow into His kingdom would bring forth abundantly.

Luke 6:38 NKJV

38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Heave/Wave Offering

Heave offering is the first of your increase also noted is scripture as a 10th, tithing.

The heave offing is a vertical movement of lifting and lowering.

It is taking that which is earthly and lifting it heavenward.

It is also receiving the heavenly blessing of our needs being provided.

Crucially, heave offerings could only be used by the priests and their children, making them distinct from offerings shared in communal meals.

The heave offering came from the shoulder.

Tithing should carry the load of financial support for the ministry. Tithing supports ministers.

Wave offering is from the breast of the consecration lamb.

It is a repeated horizontal movement.

Taking that which is earthly and using it for heavens purpose on earth, offerings.

It is an act of consecration (separation/holiness) as unto the Lord.

Offerings come from the breast. Offerings are the truest measure of a hearts generosity.

Offerings support the functioning of the church.

Avenues of Giving

These are not required amounts for giving, they are options to help budget, plan and/or make commitments to stewardship

Missions:

His Hour (First hours wage each week) - Missions (Global, NA, Local)

General Fund:

General(maintenance, lease payment, light bill, water bill, trash bill, etc)

General funds

Special Offerings:

Mothers Memorial, Have a Heart, etc.

If you would like your tithes and offerings to be considered a donation to a non profit for tax purposes please use a Giving envelope. At the end of the year NLCC will provide a giving receipt for your records and tax purposes.

How Much Should I Give for an Offering

In Acts you read where they brought everything 100%

My understanding is that was for a season. It was a season of incredible sacrificial giving. It funded the launching of the church.

But not to many years later you read where Paul is taking up offerings to help those in need.

There ought to be times when we commit sacrificially to God.

These are times that go over and above our regular stewardship commitment.

How much should a person give in offerings?

In the Old Testament the temple Offering was 5% of their increase

For a time period following the outpouring of the Holy Ghost in Acts it was 100%

But in Paul instruction to the Christians in Corinth he said...

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Give as much as you can and still be cheerful about it.

Money is Spiritual

Tithing is a representation of our obedient partnership with God.

Offerings are a representation of your consecrated partnership with God’s church.

Consecrated - separated... holiness. I will choose this part of my money to separate, dedicate, consecrate to the church.

Offerings are a part of living a holiness lifestyle.

Stewardship says I am 100% committed to Jesus Christ.

My heart, my soul, my emotions, my intentions, my possessions... even my money.

As a person I am 100% committed.

Stewardship is more than paper bills and metallic coins. It's a matter of the heart.

Taking our earthly resources and using them for heavens purpose.

It is taking earthly resources and using them so earthly ministry can fulfill heaven's will on earth.

CLOSING

All come forward

We don’t preach on money every Sunday here at NLCC.

We are going set aside a couple Sunday’s each year in February to teach on stewardship.

Next Sunday is our Tithing Demonstration and Committee Sunday.

I am asking each family to bring one weeks tithe next Sunday. We are all going to participate in a unified Sunday of tithing. Then we are going to rejoice in what God does. If you have never tithed I ask that you give God a chance to demonstrate His faithfulness to you.

We will also be making our annual stewardship commitments.

We have commitment card cards and ask that you would commit your time talent and treasure to God and LSC.

This helps us with budgeting for our annual expenses and is an act of faith and consecration to God.

As we close this service would you join me in a prayer asking God to lead us in what we should commit to in offerings this year.