Grace Community ChurchGrace Community ChurchMarch 15, 2009March 15, 2009

A Steward’s GivingA Steward’s Giving2 Corinthians 8:1-92 Corinthians 8:1-9

A Living SacrificeA Living Sacrifice

A Living SacrificeA Living Sacrifice

Steward’s Mentality – Romans 12:1-5Steward’s Mentality – Romans 12:1-5Steward’s Talents – Romans 12:3-8Steward’s Talents – Romans 12:3-8Steward’s Treasure – Luke 12:13-34Steward’s Treasure – Luke 12:13-34Steward’s Giving – 2 Corinthians 8Steward’s Giving – 2 Corinthians 8Steward’s Harvest - 2 Corinthians 9Steward’s Harvest - 2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 8:1-22 Corinthians 8:1-21 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the We want you to know, brothers, about the

grace of God that has been given among grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, the churches of Macedonia, 2 2 for in a for in a severe test of afflictionsevere test of affliction, their , their abundance of joy and their abundance of joy and their extreme extreme poverty poverty have overflowed in a wealth of have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. generosity on their part.

Times are HardTimes are Hard• DJIA down 50% since October 2007.DJIA down 50% since October 2007.• 68% families significantly impacted by economy.68% families significantly impacted by economy.• 28% adults lost at least 20% of retirement.28% adults lost at least 20% of retirement.• 8.1% unemployment nationally.8.1% unemployment nationally.• 4.4% unemployment in Iowa.4.4% unemployment in Iowa.

How should a follower of Christ view How should a follower of Christ view giving in tough times?giving in tough times?

2 Corinthians 8:1-52 Corinthians 8:1-51 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of

God that has been given among the churches of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, Macedonia, 2 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 3 For they gave according to their means, as I For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, accord, 4 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 5 and this, and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

• 10% evangelicals give nothing.10% evangelicals give nothing.• 36% evangelicals give less than 2% of their income.36% evangelicals give less than 2% of their income.• 27% evangelicals give 10% of their income or more.27% evangelicals give 10% of their income or more.• Average Evangelical gave Average Evangelical gave $1348 per person in 2006.$1348 per person in 2006.• During the Great Depression when Americans earned During the Great Depression when Americans earned

less, they gave more. less, they gave more. • After the depression as income increased they gave After the depression as income increased they gave

less.less.• 43% families spend more than they earn each year.43% families spend more than they earn each year.• $18,654 consumer debt per household, not including $18,654 consumer debt per household, not including

mortgage.mortgage.

American ChristiansAmerican Christians

Here at GraceHere at Grace• 83% of those not satisfied with their giving said 83% of those not satisfied with their giving said

they are living paycheck to paycheck.they are living paycheck to paycheck.

• Debt is a problem for many households.Debt is a problem for many households.

Crown Financial Seminar – May 16Crown Financial Seminar – May 16

2 Corinthians 8:6-82 Corinthians 8:6-86 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had

started, so he should complete among started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. you this act of grace. 7 7 But as you excel in But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. act of grace also. 8 8 I say this not as a I say this not as a command, but to prove by the command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.is genuine.

• Leviticus 27:30-32 First part belonged to the Lord…Leviticus 27:30-32 First part belonged to the Lord…• Deuteronomy 12:10-11 Fund religious festivals…Deuteronomy 12:10-11 Fund religious festivals…• Deuteronomy 14:28-29 Yearly tithe for the poor…Deuteronomy 14:28-29 Yearly tithe for the poor…• All total – required tithing added up to 23%-25%.All total – required tithing added up to 23%-25%.• Freewill offerings were in addition to tithes…Freewill offerings were in addition to tithes…

Is the tithe mandatory today?Is the tithe mandatory today?

What about the Tithe?What about the Tithe?

• Romans 7:4-6Romans 7:4-6

• Galatians 5:13-18Galatians 5:13-18

• Tithe is neither commanded nor forbidden Tithe is neither commanded nor forbidden in New Testament.in New Testament.

We are not under the law.We are not under the law.

2 Corinthians 8:9-102 Corinthians 8:9-109 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus

Christ, that though he was rich, yet for Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. by his poverty might become rich. 10 10 And And in this matter I give my judgment: this in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to only to do this work but also to desire to do it.do it.