Memory Verse:
“Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the good which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you” (John 6:27 RSV).
The Bible has a lot to say about managing money. More than 2,000 verses address a wide
range of financial topics. The Bible is practical and accurate when it speaks about our financial stewardship. To the extent we follow the Scriptures, we participate in God’s kingdom economy. To the degree that we ignore them, our faith pays a stiff price.
The Purpose of Resources.
Does God’s Kingdom economy require money (resources)? Jesus fasted in the wilderness and angels ministered to him (Matthew 4:1-11). He feed the multitudes seemingly out of thin air. So no resources are not needed, however it is in God’s nature to works in partnership with humanity.
Remember Biblical stewardship recognizes three important facts.
First, God is the owner of everything, and every part of our lives (Psalm 24:1).
Second, God has called us to steward His resources (Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
Third, the goal of stewardship is to advance God’s kingdom mission in the world (Matthew 28:19-20).
A definition of biblical stewardship might read as follows: “Biblical stewardship recognizes that God’s resources are to be deployed through God’s people to accomplish God’s mission.”
Biblical stewardship is often referred to as “whole-life stewardship” because God calls us to be good stewards of every area of our lives. This must include money.
It is a kingdom principle that when treasures are paired with time and talents through labour we see multiplication. A simple equation can be expressed like this:
Statement 1: Treasure + Time & Talents = Multiplication
Alternatively the equation can be express in the common phrase ” Your reap (multiply) what you sow. Let’s take a few moments to see what the Bible says about being a good steward of treasure.
Reading 2 Corinthians 9:5-7
What do you observe?
Why is Paul telling this to the people? What did He mean by make arrangements?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship and a decision?
Reading 2 Corinthians 9:9-11
What do you observe?
Why is Paul telling this to the people? What did He mean by multiply your store of seed?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship and storing of seed?
Reading Matthew 6:18-20
What do you observe?
Why is Jesus telling this to the people? What did He mean by store up for yourself treasures in heaven?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship and storing of seed?
Statement 2: God has given both seed for sowing and seed for consuming
The economy both personal, family, community, and of the kingdom require money (seed). If all seed is consumed the farmer has no seed to plant and therefore no future harvest. This means hunger and poverty. If however seed is stored to be “put to work” (sowed) it will result in multiplication. Practically, we see this through business economics.
In the community, Money is borrowed (or taxes collected) to pay for resources (seed etc), to pay for peoples talents (skills) and to pay for their time. A profit is generated, loans are gradually repaid, more money borrowed to expand production and increase productivity.
In family, Money is borrowed to pay for education (create skills and talents), to pay for a housing and consumables. We sell these talents/skills and our time to a business (private) or government (public) to enable us to generate an income to pay these expenses. Our employers even put money (seed) aside for us into superannuation (funds that lend money to business to pay for resources to grow their businesses and generate a profit for the fund!). But what of the future for the kingdom of God?
The idea of storing money to be put to work (buying a field / investing in a business)
Reading Proberbs 31:16
What do you observe?
How does this relate to the people of their day?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Statement 3: God’s seed sowed purposefully produces opportunity to Tithe from the harvest.
God commanded farmers to leave the edges of their fields and dropped grain for the poor, widow, and foreigner (Leviticus 23:22). In the story of Ruth, we see that Boaz followed this, but went further by instructing his workers to leave “purposefully” dropped grain (sheaves) for Ruth to gather, ensuring she had a large harvest rather than just leftovers. Boaz realized Ruth was vulnerable to harassment, so he commanded his young men not to touch or molest her (Ruth 2:9). He provided a safe work environment for her among his own workers, rather than forcing her to work at the dangerous edges of the field.
As per the video example above, we often hear that as Christian’s we should tithe. This comes from a simplified understanding of the old testament practice. In the old Testament we see 3 tithes
The Levitical or Sacred Tithe (Numbers 18:21-24): A tenth of all produce was given to the Levites, who, as the priestly tribe, did not receive an inheritance of land in Israel. This means that if all eleven tribes tithed the priests received 110% of the average tribe. Some argue that the modern application is for churches to collect a tithe from church members just to pay for pastoral team salaries so they don’t have to work secular jobs to earn income.
The Festival or Second Tithe (Deuteronomy 14:22-26): A separate tenth was set aside annually to fund religious feasts in Jerusalem, allowing households to eat and rejoice before God. Families were expected to set aside 10% of their produce to allow travel and contribution in religious festive fellowship. Some argue that a modern application is to set aside 10% for church fellowship and ministry expenses including setting aside funds to participate in ministry or mission oportunites.
The Poor or Third-Year Tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28-29): Every third and sixth year of the seven-year agricultural cycle, a tithe was stored locally for the poor, including Levites, strangers, orphans, and widows. This would amount to 3.3% of resources put aside for looking after the poor. Some argue that a modern day example is to set aside 3.3% to the church for their work with the poor (like giving to C&MA CAMA services)
It should be noted that this was Israel’s economy established before their time of Kings and taxes! In the modern day business and individuals contribute to these categories through taxes, holiday pay and sick leave. While largely investment into the kingdom of God dwindles.
Reading Matthew 9:37-38
What do you observe?
Why is Jesus asking this?
What does this mean for us today? What does it mean to participate in the kingdom economy?
Biblical stewardship may be summarized in three principles:
1) God is the owner of everything.
2) God’s covenant people are held responsible for their management of God’s resources.
3) Giving is a worshipful response to God’s ownership of all things and a witness of God’s glory.