Biblical Stewardship (Part 2)

Review:

Turn to Genesis 14:18-20

Last week we learned that if you are a Christian, God has given you an assignment: you are a manager of every resource that He gives you.

This is called stewardship.

We must biblically steward our time, money, possessions, body, health, mind, emotions, decisions, relationships, and responsibilities all for the purpose of maximizing God’s glory and giving Him a good return on investment.

What is God’s ROI on your life?

Remember: we are learning this material so that we can teach others these principles.

Introduction - Chapter twelve: Biblical Stewardship

Tonight we’re going to study the stewardship of our finances.

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Stewardship: “Responsibility to manage all the resources of life for the glory of God, acknowledging God as provider.” - Holeman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Money is weird stuff.

The government prints it - however much it needs!

It’s a tool that we use to assign value to things and to exchange possessions or services.

Consequently, everybody wants more of it!

But sometimes it seems like the more you have, the more headaches that come with it!

So how can we steward our money well?

The Bible talks about several different kinds of stewardship.

The first is…

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The tithe

Read page 81

Let’s trace the progression of this down through Scripture:

It was practiced prior to the institution of the Mosaic Law (Genesis 14:18-20)

It was refined in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 27:30-32, Deuteronomy 14:22)

It was to be placed in the storehouse (Malachi 3:10)

It was condoned by Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:23)

- Ecclesiology notes by Dr. Surrett, page 4

Why was a collection being gathered?

There were needy saints in Jerusalem. Paul was raising an offering so that believers from across the early churches could help meet the need in Jerusalem.

Who was supposed to participate in this offering (verse 2)?

Everyone

Based on the biblical evidence, we can draw some conclusions:

Tithing has been practiced for thousands of years and predates both the institution of the church and even the institution of the Mosaic Law.

It is difficult to require from the Old Testament a 10% tithe on the New Testament saint, but 10% is a good starting point. In fact, the NT saint is meant to take it farther. - statement taken from Christian Giving - Part 2 - Pastor Shawn Madrid, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 9/21/2025

Tithing was commanded in the Old Testament. Although it is not commanded in the New Testament, It seems logically reasonable to consider it the base line of what we should give back to God.

Application: Everyone is to give, and they should do so voluntarily. (1 Corinthians 16:2) There are no exemptions.

In the spirit of the New Testament, God does not set a clear percentage like He did under the law. Instead, we find clearly that everyone should participate, and the amount is something that may vary from person to person.

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Free will offerings

Sometimes churches may call this Faith Promise, or Grace Giving

Since before I came to the church, Cornerstone has practiced Faith Promise at least on a small scale.

Read page 82, statement under “cheerful giving”

Turn to and read 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Read page 82, final paragraph under “cheerful giving”

Conclusion

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Tithe, Tithing

Nowhere does the New Testament require Christians to tithe in the sense of giving 10 percent, but it does reiterate many things associated with tithing: those who minister are entitled to receive support (

1 Corinthians 9:14 KJV 1900

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Tithe, Tithing

the poor and needy should be cared for (

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Tithe, Tithing

those who give can trust God, as the source of all that is given (

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Tithe, Tithing

Paul’s vocabulary and teaching suggest that giving is voluntary and that there is no set percentage. Following the example of Christ, who gave even his life (

Biblical stewardship: God is the owner. We’re just managers of the money that God has given us. Use your money as a tool to bring much glory to God.