Stone 10
BIBLICAL FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP and GENEROSITY
Opening Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
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.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency
in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the
seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us
to God.
Stewards, Not Owners
The Bible deals with thousands of scriptures that deal with the subject of money. Money is a powerful tool that, like most things, can be used for great good or great evil. Money is the currency of life that can disproportionately control our minds and distract us from God. But the answer is not to somehow stop thinking about money. We need to think about money the way God thinks about money. An adjusted view of money and material possessions is part of the renewing of the mind that God intends for us as we grow spiritually. It is all God’s money. The bottom line is that we are not owners of anything material; we are stewards. The sooner we realize that, the sooner we can be released from the tyrannies of both money worries and money ambitions.
1) Dangers of wealth
Proverbs 11:28, Proverbs 23:4-5, Mark 4:18-19 and 1 Timothy 6:9-10
2) Worry
Matthew 6:25-34
3) Only one master
Luke 16:13 and Luke 12:13-21
4) God’s prosperity
Deuteronomy 8:18 and Deuteronomy 30:8-10
5) God’s provision
Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:26, Hebrews 13:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 23:1,
Matthew 7:7-15, Matthew 6:11, Deuteronomy 2:7 and Isaiah 42:8
6) Sowing and reaping
Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:7 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Tithing, He Owns Everything
Tithing is not the New Testament standard for giving. Perhaps more than any other factor, giving reflects the condition of our hearts: Matthew 6:21 declares, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” You can fake some things, but you can’t fake giving your money! Tithing is a biblical Old Testament principle that still works for believers today, but, it is the bare minimum for those who cannot hear God concerning their giving. There is a more excellent way. God wants us to give generously. Our God is generous; He gave the most precious gift, His only begotten Son. God owns everything and the questions is not, God what can I give? But God what can I keep? Don’t be deceived in thinking that 10 percent is God’s money and 90 percent is my money. In reality, 100 percent is God’s money, and He may want me to channel 90 percent into His work and live on 10 percent. The New Testament is based on you and I hearing and obeying.
1) Give to God
Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26
2) The principle of first fruits
2 Chronicles 31:5-6 and Proverbs 3:9-10
3) The principle of the tithe
Leviticus 27:30 and Malachi 3:8-12
4) Hearing and obeying
Genesis 22:18, 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Matthew 7:21, Luke 8:15, John 6:63, John 10:27,
John 15:26, Romans 8:14, 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, 1 John 2:20 and 27 and 2 Corinthians 9:7
5) God owns it all
Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 10:14, Job 41:11, Psalm 24:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19,
1 Corinthians 7:23, and 1 Timothy 6:7
6) Extreme generosity
Luke 21:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
STUDY NOTES
1) What can deliver us from death?
Proverbs 11:4
2) What happens when we give?
Luke 6:38
3) What kind of giver does God love?
2 Corinthians 9:7
4) What part should we give to God?
Proverbs 3:9
