So many things in our lives are God’s, and we’re just stewards of them. We are judged by how faithful we are with what we are entrusted with.
1 Corinthians 4:2
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Tithing
Our money is not “our money.” It belongs to god, and we’re supposed to be good stewards of it. The word tithe in the Bible means, “tenth” and refers to a principle that originated in the Old Testament called “first fruits” which literally meant that Jewish people would give the first 10% of whatever their livelihood was to God.
- The principle of tithing predates Mosaic Law in the Bible
- Jesus mentions tithing in the New Testament as something we should not neglect:
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
- The heart of why God tells us to give never changed:
to keep our minds off ourselves, and get us to invest in things HE is doing.
“Tithing was created for our benefit. It teaches us how to keep God first in our lives and how to live unselfishly. Unselfish people make better spouses, friends, relatives, employees and employers. And they usually have better finances. God is trying to teach us how to prosper over time.” - Dave Ramsey
Giving
1 Corinthians 10:26
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 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.
We’re just stewards of the money we have and it’s up to us to spend EVERY DOLLAR of it in a way that honors God, and pushes His Kingdom forward.
1 Timothy 5:8
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Serving
Choosing to serve is more than just using time wisely. It’s using the physical energy you have on this earth to make a difference.
1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
If you don’t have a job in the church, get one! No matter where you’re at with Jesus,
you can serve people through the church right now.
Intercession
Intercession: The practice of praying on behalf of someone else
“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” - William Wilberforce
Intercessory prayer is a matter of stewardship, simply because when we know about
injustice, sin, and trials, it's our responsibility to go to God with those things.
Fasting
When there is something in your life that you need breakthrough in, choosing to abstain from food for a short time in order to align your heart with God is a matter of stewardship.
Luke 16:10
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Dealing with Suffering
When we deal with massive loss in our lives, we so often try to take that on ourselves alone… BUT, being a good steward of our pain and grieving, means that we take it to God and walk through healing. That’s a sign of a solid and mature believer.
Being Discipled in Stewardship
Tithing & Giving -
If you aren’t doing it, try it. Ask your discipler to keep you accountable.
Serving -
Take a month, write down everything you do, and ask your discipler to look with you at it, then go through and point out everything that’s selfish, and everything that’s selfless. Ask your discipler to help you find places to grow in serving, or even ask people in the church that you KNOW are servants to take you with them as they serve.
Intercession & Fasting -
Get accountability to do it. It’s okay to go into discipleship and say,
I have no NO IDEA how to fast or how to pray for things in my life… Help me.
Dealing with Suffering -
Just go to discipleship. That’s it… Don't pull away from community and discipleship
instead of pressing in when you need it the most.
Discipling Others in Stewardship
Tithing & Giving-
If they aren’t living generous lifestyles, don’t beat them up for it, help them see how God has been generous in their life, and encourage them to be generous too. When they see what they’re missing in being a part of a move of God or blessing other people, it's contagious.
Serving -
Help them see what they’re missing out on in serving people around them. There is nothing more fulfilling than serving the people around us and spending our time selflessly.
Intercession and Fasting -
Do it with them! If you are discipling someone who needs breakthrough in their life, don’t just say you’re praying: pray and fast with them.
Dealing with Suffering -
Don’t let then pull away. Don’t take those things personally when they happen, walk alongside the people you love, and draw them back to Jesus because He will help them carry the burden.
