Stewardship 2012

Stewardship is one of those areas we really struggle with as disciples of Jesus Christ. Of all the things in our lives that we feel we have control over, money is one of the big ones. Schools, careers, even spouses and children are decided upon because of money. If you have a red-letter edition of the Bible (yep, the one where Jesus' words are highlighted in red), you can count it up and discover that nearly a third of everything Jesus talked about had to do with our relationship to money. Not only do we know finances are a big deal, God knows it as well!

As you are prayerfully considering how God is calling you to use your finances as an instrument of his Kingdom, consider these 6 Characteristics of a Biblical Giver (adapted from Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles Lane). Remember, the goal of stewardship is not raising money, it is helping people grow in their relationship to Jesus Christ. That is the heart and soul of our church.

#1 Intentional

When our boys and girls come up to children's time during worship, it is completely appropriate for them to search their pockets and see if they have something to give. Scripture tells us we should 'give as we have made up our mind.' That means prayerfully talking about how much we will give and then living according to that plan.

#2 Regular

Scripture also tells us that the practice of the early church was to put aside their gifts on Sunday, so a special collection didn't have to be made when needs arose. In the first century a worker was paid at the end of the day, so it made sense to give weekly. Now a days to give regularly means to give whenever and however we may receive we income (bi-weekly, monthly, social security, commission, pay check, etc.). When we receive, we also give, according to our intentional plan.

#3 Generous

Lane writes: “It is hard to imagine anyone who is serious about discipleship giving one or two percent of his or her income to God's work through the church. It is equally difficult to imagine a tither who isn't serious about discipleship.” One of the keys to o ur faith is that we believe God provides 'abundantly far more than we can hope or imagine.' We know we can't be more generous than God, but we can be generous in our own giving. Nationwide, the average church member gives just over 2.5% of their after tax income. The average PCUSA member gives 1.5%. Perhaps there's room for us to show people what generous means!

#4 First

In a nutshell, this means giving to God first, off the top, and living on the rest. Biblically they called this 'first-fruits giving.' The first of everything was given to God. We no longer live in an agrarian society, but we do live in a world that can suck a bank account dry in next to nothing flat. 'Wants' become 'needs' faster than you can say “iPhone 5!” I've discovered this in my own life: If we don't give to God first, we will short-change God every single time.

#5 Proportional

The Scriptural standard is to give as we have received. Those who have much wealth are expected to give proportionately. Those with little wealth are also expected to give proportionately. To put it simply, proportional giving takes the dollar amount out of the gift. For someone who has nothing, anything is a significant gift to God. For someone who has great financial resources, percentage giving suggests the significance is in relation to their generosity, not in comparison to another person's gift.

#6 Cheerful

2 Corinthians 9:7 reads, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The reason for being a cheerful giver is found in the verse immediately preceding and immediately following this one. The key to cheerful giving is to practice the other five characteristics of stewardship as part of our daily life dedicated to Jesus Christ.

You might not believe me. You might not believe Chuck Lane. But give it a try! Watch how God transforms your life.

The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each of your must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.   ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8