The Interrogative's of Stewardship - #3
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The Interrogative's of Stewardship - #3
The Interrogative's of Stewardship - #3
The “When” of Stewardship
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This morning, we will continue the series -
The Interrogatives of Stewardship-
The right questions lead us to the right answers...
When it comes to stewardship, we have to ask ourselves the right questions so that we can understand the right answers in this vital area of stewardship.
This morning - The “When” of Stewardship
Pray:
My Favorite Illustrations You’ve Got It All Wrong
You’ve Got It All Wrong
During a stewardship preparation period a pastor preached several consecutive Sundays on giving. One member commented, “I’ll be so glad when the pastor quits preaching on money and gets back to preaching the gospel!” I have never heard a good steward say that. Giving is part of the gospel.
When?
When should I exhibit good stewardship?
When should I give of my time, treasure and my talents?
When should I be generous with my possessions? wealth/ substance?
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
There is so much packed into these verses of scripture - the stated, the understood...
There is much gleaned by what is stated, and there is just as much learned by what is not stated...
As we receive
We are the recipients of the graciousness of the Almighty
We - His children have all received...
Gift of Salvation
Gift of a Spiritual gift
There is a Giver of Life
There are the recipients of life
There is a provider / those provided for...
As we recognize
Last night we had the kids over and there was a “revealing party” - we found out that Rachel and Stephen - are having a little boy...
They couldn’t tell anyone until they knew from the doctor...
But once they knew, they had the ability to share what they knew...
Arabella was at the house, and she would want something - and Papa was ready to supply -
Rachel would consistently interject - Arabella, that’s not how we ask… and then give instruction on how to politely ask for something...
Then - afterwards, came the instruction - “thank you, Papa” “Thank you Nana...”
We have to be taught to recognize what we have been given
We have to be taught how to show gratitude to:
Who was generous
Who gave to us...
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
3. As we have opportunity
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
In the previous verses - we see that we are not to be:
condemning - 6:1-2
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
condescending - 6.3
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
but we are to be compassionate
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Communicate - share… vs 6
Paul - He and others had taught the believers at Galatia - and now there was:
a need
a necessity
Opportunity - vs 10
Occasion -
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
As opportunity arises, we are to be generous...
Time, treasure, talents:
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
The promises of Phil 4.19 are given to the givers...
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The principles of sowing and reaping are:
laws of nature
physically
spiritually
emotionally
financially
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Sowing & Reaping...
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
The “When” of Stewardship
“As we have therefore opportunity”
The tithes -
The offerings -
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
The example of offerings were upon the assembly of the believers -
OT - Sabbath
NT - Sunday - 1st day of the week...
But generosity - sowing, reaping...
giving / caring / sharing...
The “When” of Stewardship
“As we have therefore opportunity”