biblical truth concerning stewardship and distribution of funds

8/14/2019 Biblical truth Concerning Stewardship and Distribution of Funds.

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Other Booklets in this series

Contact for copies

Biblical Truths on Quiet time with God(Eng/Tel) Biblical Truths on Christian Marriage Biblical Truths on Career and Money Biblical Truths on Christian Discipleship(Eng/Tel) Backslider in heart (Eng/Tel)

Biblical Truths on Stewardship

Copyright (c) 2013, G John Thimothy

All rights reserved, no part of this booklet may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmittedin any form without the prior permission of thecopyright owners. Any part of this booklet that is quotedmust bear reference to the title and author. Themeticulous efforts of Ms Mary G, in reviewing thelanguage of the manuscript, are acknowledged.

Printed by: Scripture Focus. INDIA

Price: Rs 15
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Content

Preface .. 3Introduction 4Characterstics of a steward .. 7Areas of stewardship .. 13Our attitude towards Riches ..18Finance at Home... 21Distribution of funds 25


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Preface

As a student we learnt about God, sin, Salvation,

Quiet time with God, Personal Bible study and Personal

Witnessing. As we move up and come to pre-final year

students we start thinking about career, marriage, and

money. God wants us to be a faithful steward in thisworld.

The notes in this booklet were taken as a practical

talk on Stewardship in student discipleship camps

during 2002-2004. While preparing the messages, I usedUngers Bible Dictionary , Alexan der Crudens

Concorance , notebook and pen . In 2013 I felt there is a

need to publishing a booklet on Stewardship . As the

thought came, I started re-working on the material inwhich I added new chapters on Managing the money

and distribution of funds .

As we keep reading the book, my prayer is that

every one should come back to the Bible and check thetruths and live a basic Christian life.


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Introduction

Stewardship: Steward is a person who manages

another persons property and or all other affairs. Thi s

can be incharge of household, large estate or club or

hotel or resort. A ship's officer who is incharge of

provisions and dining arrangements is also called as

steward. An attended on a ship or aeroplane is also

called steward. An official who supervises or helps to

manage an event is also a steward. A shop steward is

another example. Biblical stewardship is the productive

and joyful acquiring, managing, using, giving and sharing

with others the very best of our time, treasure, talent,

and nature. There are various synonyms for word

steward like manager,overseer,agent(treasurer)

or governor .

In scripture stewardship is usually rendered to one

who manages the affairs or superintends the household

of another, as Eliezer of Damascus did that of Abr ahams

(Genesis 15:2). Great confidence was reposed in those


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who held such an office, and hence Paul describes

Christian ministers as the stewards of God over his

Church and family (Titus 1:7). Believers also are

described as stewards of Gods gifts and gr ace, to

dispense their benefits to world (1 Peter 4:10). Our Lord

frequently refers to the responsibilities of steward ship

for illustrating his reasoning. In the parable of unjust

steward, who defrauds his master by collusion with the

debtors (Luke 16).

Christian stewardship : is the joyous management of

complete life and lifes resources. Every believer,

responding with love to Gods abundant outpouring of

material blessings, shares the responsibility of Christian

stewardship. Everything that we own is actually on

loan from God. Apostle Paul wrote, We broughtnothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of

it (1 Tim. 6:7). We should be ready to share our

materials with others.

Steward means a manager or porter. Porter isexpected to take it to the destination carefully. A


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manager has been entrusted with some task and is

expected to take care of it well. It is given to be used in

way that it is fruitful or multiply. Christians are stewards

and are accountable to God.

Stewards mentioned in the Bible: We can see five

stewards by name out of them 4 are good stewards and

1 is a bad example. Eliezer (Genesis 24) Josephs steward

(Genesis 43:18-25), steward in vineyard (Mathew 20:8)

Chuza. Herods steward (Luke 8:3) is good examples

where as Arza is a bad example where he opened his

home to make Zimri to drink (1 Kings 16:9). The wordsteward is found thirteen times in KJV and the word

stewardship appears three times in KJV. Going though

all the verses gives proper perspective of Biblical truths

on Christian Stewardship.


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Characteristics of a steward

1. Be aware of your appointment: "... Who called

his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods...

(Mathew 25:14-30). We should realize how much

amount God given to us. This amount varies with what

he given to one with other person. We need to trade

and increase the amount. The minimum gain we can get

is the interest given by banks. We need to work such

that our earning is more than bank interest. We should

not hardened our hearts and accuse our master who

given talent. We should not think that whatever we do is

failing others are prospering. We should not be slothful.

We should venture into business. It is our privilege to be

able to serve for the sake of increasing what has been

entrusted on us. Two servants are faithful and another is

not. Whether we are seen by men or not we must be

conscious of the fact that our God sees everything. If we

work on what we got, God will give more bonus on the

same, otherwise he will take away what we have.


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2. Be responsible: "As every man hath received the

gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good

stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10.)

Every believer received a gift by the Holy Spirit. We

should identify the gift and work on it. Neglect not the

gift that is in thee (1 Thimothy 3:14). And always

remember to stir up the gift which is in us (2 Timothy

1:6, 7). We should execute the gift with boldness

(Romans 8:15) Power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1: 1 Cor 16:10; 1

Timothy 4:14) spirit of love (1 Corinthians 13:4) and

spirit of a sound mind, understanding and judgement(Galatians 5:22-23). These gifts are specifically given to

us minister to others with grace. Be confident in the

work we start using these gifts (Philippians 1:6)

3. Be faithful: A person should consider as servantsof Christ and managers of God's mysteries. In this

regard, it is expected of managers that each one be

found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Here stewardship

is to administrate the manifold grace of God. We needto be faithful in the activities we are doing. Faithfulness


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is a characteristic of a believer (Ephesians 1:1, Colossians

1:1).To find a faithful person it is very difficult (Psalm

5:9. Find a faithful person associate with him. (Psalm

101:6). Faithfulness needs patience (proverbs 28:20)

and it will be rewarded (Mathew 25:21; Mathew 25:23).

Be faithful in small things (Luke 16:10-12). Be faithful in

conveying the message (Proverbs 13:17) In Daniel life no

fault found in him (Daniel 6:4). As we become strong in

the Lord, We need to commit the same to faithful men,

who shall able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2, 3).

4. Be discerning: And the Lord said, who then is thatfaithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make

ruler over his household, to give them their portion of

meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his

lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (Luke 12:42,43) The wise steward has his mind on eternal values and

He builds his house on the rock (Mathew 7:24) and lays

up for himself treasurers in heaven (Mathew 6:20). Our

soul is like a mirror designed to behold and reflectChrist. Yet in order for our soul to reflect Christ in the


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clearest, most unobstructed way, its fallen source must

first be denied (Matthew 16:24-26; Luke 9:23-25). This

means that we must learn to deny our natural mind, will

and emotion. Secondly, for our soul to reflect Christ

alone, it must be not only denied but also purified by

receiving the Word (1 Peter 1:22). Finally, our soul needs

to be thoroughly transformed into the image of Christ

by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2; 2

Corinthians 3:18). Thus, when our soul is denied,

purified, and transformed it is able to fulfil its intended

function, the glorious, true reflection of Christ. This willhelp us to discern the things.

5. Be loving: For a bishop must be blameless, as the

steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not

given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But alover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just,

holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he

hath been taught, that he may be able by sound

doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gain Sayers


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(Titus 1:7). Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and

strength." (Mathew 22:37; Luke 10:27).

If you love God keep his commandments then Love

yourself (Self-discipline), which reflects in loving your

neighbour (Mathew 22:39) loving his own wife (Eph

5:33). family. Father, mother, wife, children, brethren,

sister and his own life... (Luke 14:5; Eph 5:22-6:9). All

these are Possible by filling with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18

cf Col 3:16), possible by being rich in word of God (Eph

5:18 cf Col 3:16)

6. Be accountable: Luke 16:1- 5 talks about parable

of unjust steward which teaches us about the wise use

of time and the danger of covetousness. The steward

was unjust and wasted his resources. But when the timeof reckoning came he suddenly felt he was working with

a real people for whom business is a meaning. He taught

stewardship is just responsibility and privilegeWhen

time came he learnt that he needs to be accountable.Now he acted smart and ensured that he made some


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friends by lowering the interest rate and also he proved

that he was a shrewd manager, capable of acting in

crisis. He knows that when master comes he will fire him

or put him in jail. We as the stewards in the house of

God have tendency to forget that one day an account

must be given to the Lord. For we must all appear

before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may

receive the things done in his body, according to that he

hath done, whether it is good or bad . (2 Cor 5:10). If we

really believe that one day we need to give an account

to God for our works, this conviction show up in our dayto day life and in using our time talent and treasures.


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Areas of Stewardship

Christian stewardship also includes managing lives,

money and resources. All the material procession we

have also includes area of stewardship. Stewardship

means how a believer uses his time, treasure, talent,

tongue, team, thoughts and things. We should be good

stewards in using our cars, our houses, and resources.

Talents and Gifts: Matthew 25:14-30. 1 Corinthians

12:1-11 you are solely responsible for the use of talents

and gifts God has given you or that He would give you.

Your faithful use and profit will have a reward otherwise

a punishment. (1 Peter 1:4-11) . We need to use both

talent and gifts to build one another. We need to find

the specific talent in us , focus and excel in it. Church

should identify these talents and gifts in a person and

encourage him to concecreate the talent to God so that

entire beleivers grow together.


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Time: Every purpose in life has some time to

execute (Eccl. 3:1-9) we should start working early

without postponing (John 9:4). We should plan to do the

things. Our god is a God who keeps time table (2

Corinthians. 6:2.) We are accountable to God in terms of

time . See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools,

but as wise, redeeming the time because days are evil.

(Eph 5:15-16). This means we have to avoid time

wasters. Everyone is having 24 hours per day. We

cannot stretch it and we cannot squeeze it. Present

worldly system makes us busy only in mind but weneed to utilize the time effectively and should become

busy in executing work using mind. We should have time

for God, family, friends and enemies. If you give right

time to God, He will bless hundred fold and give u time.He has given us the time of our lives for a definite;

purpose of using it for Gods glory. What you refuse to

do today may be too late for tomorrow.


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4. Life: (Matt. 6:25-34) you are a steward even your

life. You cannot live any way you like. Remember that

you are bought with a price for a purpose (1 Cor. 6:20;

7:23). There are some people who will waste their life .

They will gather the entire resources and property and

they eat, drink and merry. By the end they realize that

they wasted entire property or they die before they

realize. A rich fool said to his soul Soul, thou hast much

goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink,

and be merry (Luke 12:19). Even prodigal son wasted

his life he realized after he spent all (Luke 15:14) he said

to himself I will arise and go to my father and wil l say

unto him, Father I have sinned against heaven and

before thee, and ... arose and came to his father ( Luke

15:17-20). This will lead to merry to the entire family(Luke 15:29). There are another set of people who

spent their life. Elder brother served the father for

many years, he never transgressed any time to the

commandment of his father, and his expectation is thathe want a party with his friends (Luke 15:29). Even elder


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son does the will of God he doesnt have enjoyment in

it. Many of us spent their life doing the will of God and

spend their life but they wont enjoy the fellowship with

family members. Better is we have to invest our life in

this present keeping eternity as future in mind. In order

to achieve this we should use the opportunities wisely

and manage the life without falling into dangers and

overcoming the temptations.

5 Gospel: But as we were allowed of God to be put

in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as

pleasing meant but God which trieth our hearts ( 1 Thes

2:4). For I delivered unto you fi rst of all that which I also

received (1 Corinthians 15:3). Gospel is that which I

also received how that Christ died for our sins according

to the scriptures and he was buried and that he roseagain the third day according to the scriptures (1

Corinthians 15:3, 4). Gospel is a great and pure treasure

which he put in us. It is our responsibility to proclaim

and guard it. We need to buy the opportunities and


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share the Gospel with everyone who ever come across

in our life.

6 Creation: In Genesis 1 God provided the water for

the vegetation, He wanted man to till the ground and

work on it so that plantation produce fruit. We are the

stewards of the creation. God put Adam in the garden to

do his work in tilling the soil and caring for it (Genesis

2:15). God promised that he will provide the necessary

material if we seek his righteousness and kingdom which

doesnt mean that we have to sit idle and seek his

righteousness and kingdom. We should work, Faithwithout works is dead (James 2:26). A Gardner should

work on the ground. We sh ould labour as we are

laborers of god (1Cor 3:9) work is an opportunity where

we bring out our abilities and utilize the opportunities,As we are going to stand before the God and say along

with Paul Have fought a good fight, I have finished my

course, I have kept the faith (2 timothy 4:7)


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Our Attitude towards Riches

It was commended in the Bible that every one needs

to work and eat their fruit. T here are poor among us

and some are rich among us. We are not supposed to

advertise our personal needs. Twelve apostles and

Apostle Paul never advertised their needs. They did

make known the needs of distressed saints. Bible

recommends information of need is sent as information

to the house of God but not with seeking a help. Every

beleiver even working employee must look to their

Master alone for due support if employer not paying

him properly. He it is who moves the hearts of His

people in right directions to meet His needy beleivers.

Every transaction of finance may be acknowledged by

word or letter. Person who is handling money should be

accountable for every rupee coming into funds.

Bible warns us He that loveth silver shall not be

satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with

increase: this is also vanity (Ecclesiastes 5:11). The


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cares of the world, and delight in the riches, and desire

for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it

proves unfruitful (Ma rk 4:19). Jesus said to a rich young

man If thou wilth be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,

and give to the poor, .. (Mathew 19:21). There is no evil

in the money itself, but love of money is the root of all

evil.

Riches are gift from God (Deut 8:18; 1 Chron 29:12).

We come across many wonderful men of God who were

rich. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they

be not high minded, nor trusted in uncertain riches, butin the living Go, who giveth riches in the living God, who

giveth us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

When we fail to recognize from where the riches comes

we bring sorrow and snares of devil in our life. Havingriches puts us into responcibility and duties.Riches

should be used to do good, that they be rich in good

works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate ( 1

Timothy 6:18). Rich people should involve in taking careof the needs of the poor people as a manifestation of


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love of God. But by an equality, that now at this time

your abundance may be a supply for their want, that

their abundance also may be a supply for your want,

that there may be equality ( 2 Corinthains 8:14).


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Finance at Home

Managing funds at Home: We should know our

income, in come can be fixed monthly salary or variable

business returns, by re-wards, awards, bank interest,

shares and house rental. Once you are clear about your

income, move to your Expenditure.Expenditure is of two

catergories. Fixed: Tithe, EMI, Savings, School fees,

house rent e.t.c Variable: Food, clothing, Telephone bill

e.t.c. little variation will be there based on family, for e.g

some people eat only at home, for them food expences

may be less, some like to visit restaurants. Once you

know your income and expenditure you will get your

balance. Important in life is not how much you areearning but how much you save. For e.g you may be

earning 1Lakh every month and other person is earning

30K every month. You are expenditure for every month

is 1Lakh 10 thousand. And other person expenditure is

20k per month at the end of first year you end up with a


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Clothing (5%), save every month so that you can get the

cloths easily for occasions. Medical Expences (2.5%)

Recreation (5%) , Debts ( 5%) and Savings (5%). Savings

will increase from 5% to 20% if we dont have medical

expences and debts.

Some feels this percentage is insignificant to save.

They wont save money. Small drops for every month

reaps riches in future.There are some who thinks it is

not spiritual to save the money. It is scriptural according

to Bible to save the money for the Rainy day. It is good

to cultivate the habit of savings. Your savings should be

used for buying laptop, car or house where u can use for

effeceint work. We should not buy things where we

wont use, or there is no particual need.


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Distribution of Funds

Reading Portion: Collective gifts are indicated in

Acts 11: 29, 30; Rom 15: 25,26; 1 Cor 16: 1 ; Phil 4:15,

16; individual gifts, 2 Jn 5-7 ; Gal 6:6 ; Heb13: 16 ; 1 Tim.

6.:18 ; Acts 4:36, 37.

In gatherings we collect the money. Once the money

is collected, the collection should be 1) Administered 2)

spent for logistics and 3) Distribute.

Administration of funds: Administration of funds

should be should be in the hands of more than one

brother.Acts 6. 3-6 ; 1 Cor. 16. 3, 4 ; 2 Cor. 8. 18-21; 9. 3-

5. Handling money by multiple people is wise, and it

eases the burden of one person, brings the sharing,accountability into picture. Pastor should be busy with

gaurding the flock from wrong teachings, Elders should

spent time in gaurding the flock, Reading the word of

God and in prayer. Evangelist should be busy in winning

the soul. Leaders in the assembly would seem free to


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judge the most expedient way of discovering the mind

of (he saints. Accounts should be rendered at regular

intervals, again on the principle of 1 Cor. 14. 40.

The responcible bretheren should be born again,

spirit filled and moral in nature (Acts 6. 3 ; 1 Tim. 3. 8-

13.). apart from that he should be aware of local laws

with respect to tax payment, maintianing the log books,

cash receipts and good at purchasing the goods and

abide to the principles concerning the distribution of

funds.

2) Amount spent for Logistics: As an individual or

group of people we have funds with us. This collection is

by collective Acts 11: 29, 30; Rom 15: 25, 26; 1 Cor 16:1;

Phil 4:15, 16 or by individual contribution (2 Jn. 5-7 ; Gal.6. 6 ; Heb. 13. 16 ; 1 Tim. 6. 18 ; Acts 4. 36, 37). There

will be expences like hall rent, Chairs, lights, fans, air-

conditioning, fees for care-taker e.t.c. As an individual

we should be aware that giving to such need is not

considered as Giving unto the Lord. These are


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nessasary but for the comfort, convenience and wise

investment of the saints for the gathering. Sharing such

expences cant be considered Offering. These are

matter of obligation and a debt.

3) Distribution of Funds: The amount spent on

administration and logistics should be minimmum.

Major amount should go to this category where

distribution of funds has to be. New Testament teaches

us to distribute the funds to the nessacities (Romans

12:13) in the following areas.

i) Needy Widows: Generally in our day to day

ministration widows were neglected in daily

ministration (Acts 6:1).Because of this need Pastors,

Evangelists and elders should not leave the ministry ofwinning souls, Bible teaching and shepperding the folk

and distribute the funds. This has to be dealt by the

responcible bretheren. The widows whom we support

should be of really destitute , of aged, woman trusts on

God and is not a tale bearer (1 Timothy 5:11-16).


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ii) Poor People: We should open our hand wide

unto thy brother, to thy poor and to thy needy and to

the land (Deuteronony 15:7-11). Make certain

contribution to the poor saints (Romans 15:26, Galatians

2:10) in their studies, food, and in whatsoever business

he needs (Romans 16:1-3). Care must be taken that poor

person is working on the investment you are making and

he is growing (2 Thessalonians 3:10). He that hath pity

upon the poor lendenth unto the Lord and that which he

hath given him will he pay him again (Proverbs 19:17)

iii) Unto Releif fund: When ever natual calamities

happened we should raise funds and send to the releif

fund unto the bretheren (Acts 11:27-30 cf Acts 24:17).

what ever we have should consider it is theirs. (Acts2:44.45).

iv) Eangelists: Now ye phillip plans 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.For even in


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Thessalonica, ye sent once anga again unto my

necessity. Not beacause I desire gift: but I desire fruit

that may abound to your account.. (Philippians 4:15 -

19). There are some evangelists who forsaken working

and devoted their time completely in the vineyard. In

order their souls are at peace, we should support in

their needs so that they can work in vineyard with out

much tempatations (1 Cor 5:4:14)

v) Bible Teachers: There are few who spends on

Reading Bible, Preparing the notes and in prayers so that

they can teach Bible accurately and contextually to the

thirsty souls. There is a need of pure word in every

gathering. Galatians 6:6 recommends Let him that is

taught in the word communicate unto him that teachethin all good things.

vi) Elders: there are few who are earning and about

to settle in the world, relinquished their work, resigned

and started spending more time in winning souls, Bible


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teaching and shepperding the flock. (1 timothy 5:17,18).

For sure we should share a portion to them.

vii) Philanthrophic Efforts: As we distribute the

funds, we should not forget about philanthphic efforts.

We should give to every man. Follow that which is

good, both among youselves and to all men (1

Thessalonians 5:15). The household of faith has prior

claim upon the gifts of God's people but not an exclusive

claim.

biblical truth concerning stewardship and distribution of funds

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