SMCC Stewardship 2011

Part 2: The Spirituality of Your Checkbook

SPIRITUAL SECULAR

Money’s Sacred Role

• “Your” money is a gift from God.• How you use your money, like it or not, is a

response to God.• How you use your money is therefore a

spiritual act.• It is a measure of true worship.–Where is your trust?–What are your priorities?

Today’s Outline

• The Principle of Prior Consecration

• The Principle of Proper Motivation

• The Principle of Personal Responsibility

Self Evaluation

• What is your state of mind toward the stewardship campaign?– Is it a commercial break for the “main show?”–Do you view it like a fundraising drive for a

public broadcast station?– Is it a distraction to the “important business

of real sermons?”– Is it an uncomfortable mixture of secular

issues in a spiritual context?

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will

trust you with true riches?

Luke 16:11

Koinonia

• Greek: “Communion by intimate participation.”–Used in the New Testament to describe the

participation, fellowship, intimacy, and sharing of the Early Church.–Can also mean “jointly contributed gift.”

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such

sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Galatians 6:6

New Testament Giving

• Some view the tithe as an Old Testament concept, of which we are now free.• In practice, giving described in the New

Testament is more spiritually demanding and challenging.• Paul goes from steadfastness in the Gospel

(1 Cor 15) directly into principles of giving (1 Cor 16 – last week’s lesson).

And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by

the will of God also to us.

2 Corinthians 8:5

The Principle of Prior Consecration

• The Macedonians first gave themselves (their hearts) to God before they gave their money.• Giving the biggest thing (your life) first

makes the small thing (money) far easier!• The reverse (opposite) is unfortunately

also true.

The Principle of Prior Consecration

• Your money is paper representation of your life work, your “worth.”• You have two possible responses:– I’ll “give” some of it back to fulfill my

obligation. Hopefully I’ll still have enough for my priorities.–God is my first priority. I am wholly and

completely His. All that I have his His.

Why is there need?

• If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), why is the Church in such need?–A byproduct of our lack of faithfulness.–We’re the stewards. Is there money among

us? Is it spiritually distributed?–God would never “challenge” us to grow our

character and trust in Him, would He?

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,

not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a

cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

The Principle of Proper Motivation

• Old Testament– You gave regardless of how you felt.

• New Testament– “God loves a cheerful giver.”–God desires mercy over sacrifice, knowledge

of God over burnt offerings.• Hosea 6:6

The Principle of Proper Motivation

• “I want to.”• “I will.”• “I am.”

• Let’s try to keep it in that order…

The Principle of Personal Responsibility

• We are in error when we feel responsible to our Church.– Employer calls to verify 10%?

• We are responsible (and accountable) to God.• Paul instructed “each one of us” to lay

something aside.–1 Corinthians 16:2

The Principle of Personal Responsibility

• Each one of us includes:–College Students– Teachers–Ministry–Reduced Income– Single Mothers–Widows with Two Mites

The Principle of Personal Responsibility

• Your church will not stand before Christ’s judgment seat in your stead.• Churches are not saved by grace to walk in

good works…we are.

Gold Rush!

• 1848 – California Gold Rush–$400M flowed into the economy over 10

years.–Churches held contests for and published

essays about the importance of stewardship.• They had hoped to stave off rampant greed.• Instead, America saw an explosive era of spiritual

revival.

Conclusion

• Is your heart prepared to turn your gold rush into a God rush in your life?

• Have you given all of yourself over to God first, allowing the rest to follow?

• How solid is your personal line between spiritual and secular?