CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIPCHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP

(31) Christian Stewardship(31) Christian Stewardship1. Introduction1. Introduction

Stewardship is right at the centre Stewardship is right at the centre of our Christian life. Satan’s of our Christian life. Satan’s strategy is that we misunderstand strategy is that we misunderstand what stewardship is and loose its what stewardship is and loose its blessingsblessings

(30) Christian Stewardship(30) Christian Stewardship2. Definition2. Definition

(Dr. John Haggai) Christian Stewardship (Dr. John Haggai) Christian Stewardship is the practice of systematic and is the practice of systematic and proportionate giving of time, abilities, proportionate giving of time, abilities, material possessions and all God’s material possessions and all God’s gifts to us based on the conviction that gifts to us based on the conviction that these are a trust from God, to be used these are a trust from God, to be used in His service, for the benefit of all in His service, for the benefit of all mankind in grateful acknowledgement mankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love of Christ’s redeeming love

(29) Christian Stewardship(29) Christian Stewardship3. Concept of ownership3. Concept of ownership

Greeks – common ownershipGreeks – common ownershipRomans – Absolute individualRomans – Absolute individualJews and Christians – Ownership is God’s and Stewardship is Jews and Christians – Ownership is God’s and Stewardship is

oursoursJews attached a great significance to land because for them Jews attached a great significance to land because for them

land was sacred because it was God’s land.land was sacred because it was God’s land.Ownership means propriety (Lev 25.23) “The land must not Ownership means propriety (Lev 25.23) “The land must not

be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are aliens and my tenants”aliens and my tenants”

Possession means Custody/Steward/Tenant (Lev.25.24) Possession means Custody/Steward/Tenant (Lev.25.24) “Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you “Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land”must provide for the redemption of the land”

Ruling principle: God as a creator, own absolutely everything Ruling principle: God as a creator, own absolutely everything and Humans are always and only Stewards.and Humans are always and only Stewards.

(28) Christian Stewardship(28) Christian Stewardship4. Who is a steward?4. Who is a steward?

Biblically, steward is a person who has the Biblically, steward is a person who has the responsibility of managing resources responsibility of managing resources entrusted to him by His masterentrusted to him by His master

The following are the elements:-The following are the elements:-(a)(a) A trustA trust(b)(b) Guided Management ResponsibilitiesGuided Management Responsibilities(c)(c) Responsible to the MasterResponsible to the Master(d)(d) Representative and Agent of the MasterRepresentative and Agent of the Master

(27) Christian Stewardship(27) Christian Stewardship5. Fundamentals of 5. Fundamentals of

StewardshipStewardship(a)(a) God as the creator and source of all resources.God as the creator and source of all resources.• God created all things and remains the ultimate God created all things and remains the ultimate

source of all that we have (Gen 1.1.) “In the source of all that we have (Gen 1.1.) “In the beginning God created the heavens and the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”earth”

• For Him and through Him are all things (Rom For Him and through Him are all things (Rom 11.36) “For from Him and through him and to him 11.36) “For from Him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen”are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen”

• Gives us the ability to create wealth (Deut 8.18) Gives us the ability to create wealth (Deut 8.18) “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth..”who gives you the ability to produce wealth..”

(26) Christian Stewardship(26) Christian Stewardship6. Fundamentals of 6. Fundamentals of

StewardshipStewardshipGod retains ownership of all resourcesGod retains ownership of all resources

(Psa 24.1) The earth is the Lord’s and (Psa 24.1) The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live everything in it, the world and all who live in it”in it”

It is important to always remember that God It is important to always remember that God intends to and actually continues to retain intends to and actually continues to retain the ownership of all that He has created the ownership of all that He has created notwithstanding his decision to entrust notwithstanding his decision to entrust some of these resources to mansome of these resources to man

(25) Christian Stewardship(25) Christian Stewardship7. Fundamentals of 7. Fundamentals of

StewardshipStewardshipGod gives on trust – man’s stewardshipGod gives on trust – man’s stewardship• God gave to man on trust to use and manage the God gave to man on trust to use and manage the

resources He has created. (Gen 1.29) “Then God resources He has created. (Gen 1.29) “Then God said, I give you every seed bearing plant on the said, I give you every seed bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

• God gives all men life, breath and everything else God gives all men life, breath and everything else (Acts 17.24,25) The God who made the world and (Acts 17.24,25) The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men, life anything, because he himself gives all men, life and breath and everything else”and breath and everything else”

(24) Christian Stewardship(24) Christian Stewardship8. Stewardship of resources8. Stewardship of resources

Some key principles:-Some key principles:-

Stewards of God’s resources have Stewards of God’s resources have responsibility for effective and responsibility for effective and efficient management of these efficient management of these resources. The steward needs to be resources. The steward needs to be guided by some key biblical guided by some key biblical principles in managing entrusted principles in managing entrusted resources. What are they?resources. What are they?

(23) Christian Stewardship(23) Christian Stewardship9. Value Principle9. Value Principle

1 Tim 2.20(a) “Timothy, gaurd what has been entrusted 1 Tim 2.20(a) “Timothy, gaurd what has been entrusted to your care!!”to your care!!”

(Dr. John Haggai) “…To the degree that the steward (Dr. John Haggai) “…To the degree that the steward enlarges the corpus, enlarges the estate, to that enlarges the corpus, enlarges the estate, to that degree the steward is enriched. And to the degree degree the steward is enriched. And to the degree that he does not, to that degree he is impoverished. that he does not, to that degree he is impoverished. God is the owner. Man is the steward. And God has God is the owner. Man is the steward. And God has the sole right to the declaration of the use of money”the sole right to the declaration of the use of money”

How and where the Steward applies the resources How and where the Steward applies the resources determines the direction of his heart. (Matt 6.21) “For determines the direction of his heart. (Matt 6.21) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

(22) Christian Stewardship(22) Christian Stewardship10. Faithfulness10. Faithfulness

God requires that we are faithful in managing God requires that we are faithful in managing whatever He has entrusted to us. The Lord whatever He has entrusted to us. The Lord also rewards faithfulness. (Mat. 25.21) also rewards faithfulness. (Mat. 25.21) “..Well done, good and faithful servant! You “..Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things..”have been faithful with a few things..”

God expects to use all the resources he gives God expects to use all the resources he gives us to best execute the responsibilities He us to best execute the responsibilities He has given to us. (1 Cor 4.2) “Now it is has given to us. (1 Cor 4.2) “Now it is required that those who have been given a required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful”trust must prove faithful”

(21) Christian Stewardship(21) Christian Stewardship11. The eternity perspective11. The eternity perspective

We must have an “Eternity We must have an “Eternity Perspective” and apply it in the Perspective” and apply it in the management of God’s resources management of God’s resources entrust to us. A worthy Christian entrust to us. A worthy Christian Steward must look at life in the long Steward must look at life in the long run with eternity clearly in viewrun with eternity clearly in view

(20) Christian Stewardship(20) Christian Stewardship12. Eternal gain principle12. Eternal gain principle

As stewards we must allow the principle As stewards we must allow the principle of Eternal gain or “momentary sacrifice of Eternal gain or “momentary sacrifice for eternal gain” to drive the for eternal gain” to drive the management of the resources management of the resources entrusted to us.entrusted to us.

1 Cor 4.17 For our light and momentary 1 Cor 4.17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weighs them allglory that far out weighs them all

(19) Christian Stewardship(19) Christian Stewardship13. Risk 13. Risk

God’s measure of risk vis-avis God’s measure of risk vis-avis investment of resources is a risk free investment of resources is a risk free investment environment.investment environment.

Mat 6.20 But store up for yourselves Mat 6.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and stealthieves do not break in and steal

(18) Christian Stewardship(18) Christian Stewardship14. Return14. Return

The minimum rate of return in God’s The minimum rate of return in God’s treasury is a hundred times.treasury is a hundred times.

Mat 19.29 And every one who has left Mat 19.29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or Father or houses or brothers or sisters or Father or Mother or children or fields for my sake Mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal lifewill inherit eternal life

Under God’s investment principles, the risk Under God’s investment principles, the risk free rate of return is a hundred times free rate of return is a hundred times (10,000%) plus eternal life(10,000%) plus eternal life

(17) Christian Stewardship(17) Christian Stewardship15. Regarding money and 15. Regarding money and possessionspossessions

Use money as Master directs but do not Use money as Master directs but do not serve it as a masterserve it as a master

Money and possessions is so important Money and possessions is so important and hits at the very crux of our and hits at the very crux of our Christianity that the bible says so much Christianity that the bible says so much on it than most other topics and about on it than most other topics and about 15% of all recorded words of our Lord is 15% of all recorded words of our Lord is related in one way or other to this related in one way or other to this subject of money.subject of money.

(16) Christian Stewardship(16) Christian Stewardship16. Time16. Time

Very few Christians realize that they are Very few Christians realize that they are expected to give account of the stewardship expected to give account of the stewardship of the time, the Lord has entrusted to them. of the time, the Lord has entrusted to them. Some people say, time is money, but time is Some people say, time is money, but time is much more than money.much more than money.

Time is God given Time is God given Psa 139.16 Your eyes saw my unformed Psa 139.16 Your eyes saw my unformed

substance, and in your book all the days of substance, and in your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there was non of themshape, when as yet there was non of them

(15) Christian Stewardship(15) Christian Stewardship17. Time as resource17. Time as resource

Realizing that time is a resource, the challenge Realizing that time is a resource, the challenge is: How can I use my talents and gifts from is: How can I use my talents and gifts from God in the time I have received from God in God in the time I have received from God in order to fulfill my purpose from God?order to fulfill my purpose from God?

Urgency about time: Job 7.6 My days are Urgency about time: Job 7.6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttleswifter than a weaver’s shuttle

James 4.14 Why, you do not even know what James 4.14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishesthen vanishes

(14) Christian Stewardship(14) Christian Stewardship18. Fund raising for Christian 18. Fund raising for Christian ministriesministriesFund raising is defined as “Encouraging Fund raising is defined as “Encouraging

and soliciting maximum use of the and soliciting maximum use of the resources of God held in trust by His resources of God held in trust by His people and is available to be invested people and is available to be invested in the work of His Kingdom”in the work of His Kingdom”

Biblical basis for fund raising:-Biblical basis for fund raising:-Building Tabernacle, Temple, WallNeh 2.8

(13) Christian Stewardship(13) Christian Stewardship19. Principles of Fund raising – 19. Principles of Fund raising – Be guided by Biblical principlesBe guided by Biblical principles• The Bible contains account of how The Bible contains account of how

God worke3d in providing for building God worke3d in providing for building projects, staff and priests projects, staff and priests maintenance and other special needsmaintenance and other special needs

(12) Christian Stewardship(12) Christian Stewardship20. Principles of fund raising – 20. Principles of fund raising – Focus more on God than Focus more on God than methodsmethods• We should prayerfully focus more on We should prayerfully focus more on

God the great provider than on God the great provider than on methods. Consequently, the focus methods. Consequently, the focus should be which methods will God should be which methods will God have us use to fund the work.have us use to fund the work.

(11) Christian Stewardship(11) Christian Stewardship21. Principles of fund raising – 21. Principles of fund raising – God’s visionGod’s vision

• The resources we require must be for The resources we require must be for the pursuit of a God-given vision and the pursuit of a God-given vision and a commitment to a faithful a commitment to a faithful application of the resourcesapplication of the resources

(10) Christian Stewardship(10) Christian Stewardship22. Essentials of Fund raising22. Essentials of Fund raising

(a)(a)Development Luke 6.38 Give and it Development Luke 6.38 Give and it will be given unto you. A good will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be together and running over will be poured in to your lap. For with the poured in to your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured measure you use, it will be measured to you. Gal 6.7 Do not be deceived, to you. Gal 6.7 Do not be deceived, God can not be mocked. A man reaps God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows what he sows

(9) Christian Stewardship(9) Christian Stewardship23. No crisis appeals23. No crisis appeals

Don’t make crising appeals your fund Don’t make crising appeals your fund raising strategy otherwise next time raising strategy otherwise next time you will need a ore serious crisis to you will need a ore serious crisis to raise funds.raise funds.

(8) Christian Stewardship(8) Christian Stewardship24. No guilt trips24. No guilt trips

Don’t get people to give out of Don’t get people to give out of obligation or guilt but out of obligation or guilt but out of celebration for the opportunity to celebration for the opportunity to invest in God’s ventureinvest in God’s venture

(7) Christian Stewardship(7) Christian Stewardship25. Watch for Integrity25. Watch for Integrity

People give to people they trust. Be People give to people they trust. Be honest even when it will cost you the honest even when it will cost you the money. People must believe in you money. People must believe in you and that you will use the money for and that you will use the money for the purpose. When you have had the purpose. When you have had enough for a purpose or project, be enough for a purpose or project, be honest to stop collecting it.honest to stop collecting it.

Ex 36. 4-7Ex 36. 4-7

(6) Christian Stewardship(6) Christian Stewardship26. Equality of gift and not 26. Equality of gift and not sacrificesacrificeThe widow’s mite Mark 12. 1-44 Our The widow’s mite Mark 12. 1-44 Our

emphasis should not be equality of emphasis should not be equality of gift but on the equality of sacrificegift but on the equality of sacrifice

(5) Christian Stewardship(5) Christian Stewardship27. What? Whom? And why?27. What? Whom? And why?

• What? What is the need?What? What is the need?• Whom? Whom from? Whosoever as a Whom? Whom from? Whosoever as a

willing heart Ex 35.5 From what you willing heart Ex 35.5 From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. have, take an offering for the Lord. Every one who is willing is to bring to Every one who is willing is to bring to the Lord gold, silver, and bronze…..the Lord gold, silver, and bronze…..

• Why? Why do you need the fund? Why? Why do you need the fund? What are the benefits to What are the benefits to People/souls?People/souls?

(4) Christian Stewardship(4) Christian Stewardship28. Pareto Principle28. Pareto Principle

• 80% of the money, time and work 80% of the money, time and work are given by 20% of the people. 20% are given by 20% of the people. 20% of the people give 80% of your funds. of the people give 80% of your funds. Focus a little more on the highly Focus a little more on the highly productive 20%productive 20%

(3) Christian Stewardship(3) Christian Stewardship29. Ask to cover your needs 29. Ask to cover your needs onlyonly• It is not sufficient to accept just It is not sufficient to accept just

because someone is willing to give because someone is willing to give you something or sell you something you something or sell you something at a substantial discount. Unless you at a substantial discount. Unless you need it, some donated or super deal need it, some donated or super deal items may be harmful than helpfulitems may be harmful than helpful

(2) Christian Stewardship(2) Christian Stewardship30. Thank you30. Thank you

• We should never, never forget to say We should never, never forget to say thank you to those who have thank you to those who have responded to our call. We must also responded to our call. We must also remember to thank those who remember to thank those who respond to express their inability to respond to express their inability to give, someday they may be in a give, someday they may be in a position to giveposition to give

(1) Christian Stewardship(1) Christian Stewardship31. Fund raising fundamentals31. Fund raising fundamentals

(a)(a)Know your donorsKnow your donors

(b)(b)Contact themContact them

(c)(c)Challenge themChallenge them

(d)(d)Educate and update themEducate and update them

(e)(e)Ask them again and againAsk them again and again

(0) Christian Stewardship(0) Christian Stewardship32. Ways to contact32. Ways to contact

(a)(a)Brochures/News lettersBrochures/News letters

(b)(b)VisitsVisits

(c)(c)Letters and personal proposalsLetters and personal proposals

(d)(d)Phone calls and special occasion Phone calls and special occasion cardscards

(e)(e)Audio and Video tapesAudio and Video tapes

(f)(f) Internet and electronic mailInternet and electronic mail