Effective Stewardship - Session 5
- 1. EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP Five Sessions DOING WHAT MATTERS MOST ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL 2018
- 2. Class Description & Outline Christian Stewardship is about more than the money we drop into the collection plate— stewardship is everything we do after we say we believe. In Effective Stewardship, you will learn how to think critically and biblically about the areas of responsibility that have been entrusted to you by God. 1. Session One: Our Talents and Skills 2. Session Two: The Environment 3. Session Three: Loving Our Neighbor 4. Session Four: Church and Family 5. Session Five: Finances and Giving Session Five 2
- 3. Finances and Giving How to be good stewards of our wealth by following time-tested principles of budgeting and wealth management. Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Session Five 3
- 4. Key Issue The Bible repeatedly warns us not to obsess over wealth, for the love of money leads to much dissatisfaction, grief, and evil (Mt. 6:25-34; Eccl 5:10; 1 Tim 6:6-10; Heb 13:5). Christians are not called to take vows of poverty. Jesus made exceptions, but this is not the biblical rule. We are not called to hand over all our wealth to someone else to manage, but rather to manage wisely the wealth God entrusts to us, sharing it ably and well Session Five 4
- 5. Key Quotes 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. “The gospel is a gospel of giving and forgiving. We may sum it up in those two words; and hence, when the true spirit of it works upon the Christian, he forgives freely, and he also gives freely. The large heart of God breeds large hearts in men, and they who live upon his bounty are led by his Spirit to imitate that bounty, according to their power.”~ Charles Spurgeon Session Five 5
- 6. Video Highlights Stewardship involves all that God has entrusted to us Money as tool vs. money as idol 2.5 percent vs. 1.6 billion With the measure you use it will be measured back to you Keys to successful living financially Session Five 6
- 7. Video: Finances and Giving Session Five 7
- 8. Video Discussion 1. “The key to somebody being a good steward is to come to grips first of all with the reality that God owns it all.” If we believed this spiritual truth deep in our bones so that it shaped our every action, what are some specific ways we might behave differently? 2. Proverbs says that for lack of counsel, plans fail. As fallible human beings, none of us are completely objective about our own spending plans. What type of accountability do you have with your finances? What practices have you developed in your life to help you become a better steward of God’s resources? 3. If there were one physical possession in your life that posed a danger of becoming more important to you than it should, what would it be? Session Five 8
- 9. Bible Exploration 1. In Acts 20:35 the apostle Paul reminds us of the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” How has this been true in your own life? Why do we often have trouble believing this when it comes to giving of our financial resources? 2. Read Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches that where our treasure is stored, our heart will be found as well. In other words, our spending patterns are often an accurate reflection of our deepest values. If one were to judge solely by your purchases and the way you spend your money, where would they find your heart? What would they say you value? 3. Read together 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy 5:4; and Luke 12:13-21. What do these passages teach us about keeping a balance between our need to provide for our families and the danger of hoarding wealth? How do you balance your saving with your giving? Session Five 9
- 10. Living the Truth 1. With the development of new technologies and changing lifestyles, the distinction between what we “need” and “want” has blurred. In many cases, we have labeled something as a “need” that would have been considered a luxury to previous generations or to those living in less-developed countries. What standard do you use to determine if something is a “want” or a “need”? Is this a standard that will vary from person to person? Why or why not? To what extent is it OK for Christians to take the cultural norm as our own norm, and at what point should we decide to be different from the surrounding culture? Session Five 10
- 11. Living the Truth 2. Most of us tend to define excessive wealth by choosing a dollar amount that is just beyond what we would ever expect to make, personally. We often fail to realize that people who make far less do the exact same thing, judging us excessive by their own standard of living. What is the danger of this way of thinking? What would be a more fruitful way of approaching the problem of excessive spending? Are there principles that can apply to our financial stewardship regardless of our income level? Give some examples. Session Five 11
- 12. Final Thought “The more we give, the more we delight in our giving—and the more God delights in us. Our giving pleases us. But more importantly, it pleases God. This doesn’t mean we should give only when we’re feeling cheerful. The cheerfulness often comes during and after the act of obedience, not before it. So don’t wait until you feel like giving—it could be a long wait! Just give and watch the joy follow.” ~ Randy Alcorn Session Five 12