Attitude
Food for thought:
The first attempt to dig the
Panama Canal across the isthmus of Panama was made by a French company. Men and
machinery tackled the mountains and jungles. The project was abandoned, however,
not because of the mountains but because of the mosquitoes. Yellow fever from
mosquitoes killed thousands. American doctors found ways of protecting people
against mosquitoes. When the mosquitoes were taken care of the mountains soon
succumbed. There is a great difference between the size of mountains and
mosquitoes, yet the small mosquitoes did more damage. More men perished from
the bite of the mosquitoes than from danger in the mountains. No one succeeds
in the big opportunities of life who has not been faithful in small obligations.
"He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and he who is
dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much."
A budget is a
theological document. It indicates who or what we worship.
James S.
Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc,
1988), p. 375.
Self evaluation -
How do you feel about stewardship?
1. Excellent opportunity to demonstrate my faithfulness, to advance the cause of Christ, to grow as a Christian. Rewarded by blessing of giving exceeding that of receiving. A privilege to be entrusted with what really belongs to God.
2. Enjoy giving and helping even sacrificially if it’s a good cause.
3. Like to help out from time to time.
4. I would like to if I had more money and I wasn’t so busy.
5. I can’t afford to give anything away, it must be easier for others.
6. It’s MY time and MY money.
Read the following verses and consider what mindset about stewardship you would like to develop as a disciple of Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 The important thing to remember is that our time is very short, (and so are our opportunities for doing the Lord's work). For that reason those who … buy something, should live as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
What is your goal concerning the mindset you have towards stewardship of time, talents and treasures?
On what truth(s) do you need to focus?
How will you keep track of how you are doing?
What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?
Motivation
Food for thought:
J. L. Kraft, head of the Kraft Cheese
Corporation, who had given approximately 25 percent of his enormous income to
Christian causes for many years, said, " The only investments I ever made which
have paid constantly increasing dividends, is the money I have given to the
Lord. Pastors will do their greatest service in leading their people to
understand the truth of God concerning the stewardship of time and money."
John D. Rockefeller explained a great principle when he said: "I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 a week."
Likewise, William Colgate, the great soap and perfume manufacturer, rose to fame and wealth while consistently paying a tithe of his earnings into the gospel treasury. This he recognized as the minimum requirement designated by divine wisdom; and year by year as God prospered his efforts and multiplied his wealth, Mr. Colgate gladly gave far more than a tenth. Today a great Christian university stands as a monument to his fidelity and generosity.
Self evaluation -
Why do I manage the time, talents and treasures that God entrusted to me?
1. Compelled to make the most advantageous uses possible of the resources God placed in my care for the sake of His eternal kingdom.
2. Desire to be responsible manager for Him.
3. Attempt to please God.
4. Want to help others.
5. Sense of duty.
6. Want others to think of me as “spiritual”.
Read the following verses and consider what motivations for stewardship you would like to form as a disciple of Christ.
Matthew 25:20-21 The man who had received the five talents from his master brought them and the other five that he had earned. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
What is your goal concerning the motives you have for stewardship?
On what truth(s) do you need to focus?
How will you keep track of how you are doing?
What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?
Practice
Food for thought:
The pastor got up at the beginning of the huge
stewardship rally, held his hands up for silence, and said, "Friends, I have a
marvelous announcement to make about our building fund and our stewardship
program for the coming year." He paused for the import of his opening remark to
sink in. He then added with dramatic phrasing, "Friends, we have the money!" A
buzz of excitement went through the congregation. He held up his hands for quiet
once again. He finished, "Yes, we have all the money we need. Now all we have to
do is give it!"
A priest once asked one of his parishioners to serve as financial chairman of
his parish. The man, manager of a grain elevator, agreed on two conditions: No
report would be due for a year, and no one would ask any questions during the
year.
At the end of the year he made his report. He had paid off the church debt of
$200,000. He had redecorated the church. He had sent $1,000 to missions. He had
$5,000 in the bank.
"How did you do all this?" asked the priest and the shocked congregation.
Quietly he answered, "You people bring your grain to my elevator. As you did
business with me, I simply withheld 10 percent and gave it to the church. You
never missed it."
--James S. Hewett, Illustrations
Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 460.
Self evaluation -
How do I manage the time, talents and treasures God entrusted to my care?
1. Prayerfully established calendar which reflects Christlike priorities of His kingdom with a conscious change from world’s priority structure. Prayerfully established budget including a tenth (tithe) of my income given consistently to my church. Prayerfully established written goals that are frequently reviewed.
2. Operate with a calendar to manage my time, a budget to control my spending, and I have some goals of what I would like to accomplish with my gifts and abilities. Occasionally volunteer my time in ministry. Donate some portion of my income to church.
3. Consider in major decisions whether I am making proper uses of my time and my finances. Occasionally give some money to church.
4. Usually able to maintain the commitments that others ask of me.
5. Try not to be TOO late or TOO much debt.
6. Out of control.
Read the following verses and consider what habits for stewardship you would like to have as a disciple of Christ.
Psalms 90:12 Teach us to number our days & recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.
1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.
Deuteronomy 14:23 Take it to the place the LORD your God will choose where he is to be worshiped. There, where you will be together with the LORD, bring this tithe to…God at the place he shall choose as his sanctuary; this applies to all of your tithes. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God 1st in your lives.
What is your goal concerning your discipline in stewardship?
What will your system be to manage your time (what calendar will you use); your talents (how will you record your goal); and your treasures (what will you use for a budget)?
How will you keep track of how you are doing?
What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?
Consistency
Food for thought:
An average 70-year life span
is spent as follows according to the Grace News of Waterloo, IA:
Sleep ......... 23 years .............. 32.9%
Work .......... 16 years .............. 22.8%
TV ............ 8 years ............... 11.4%
Eating ........ 6 years ............... 8.6%
Travel ........ 6 years ............... 8.6%
Leisure ..... 4.5 years ............... 6.5%
Illness ....... 4 years ............... 5.7%
Dressing ...... 2 years ............... 2.8%
Religion ...... 1/2 year ............... .7%
According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, Americans spend their income as follows:
Shelter 23%
Transportation 21%
Food 15%
Retirement plans 8%
Utilities 7%
Clothing 5%
Entertainment 5%
Medical care 5%
Savings 3%
Insurance (not car & home) 1%
Miscellaneous 7%
Self evaluation -
How often do you manage the resources that God has entrusted to you?
1. Daily and consistently with a budget, a schedule and written goals.
2. Attempt to live by Biblical principles but no written plans.
3. Occasionally alter appointments, ambitions, and/or spending to align with God’s purposes.
4. What seems right or fair from personal perspective.
5. Status quo / “Keep up with the Jones’s” / do what everyone else does.
6. Don’t really think about it.
Read the following verses and consider what level of stewardship you would like to develop as a disciple of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…
Note: It is HIGHLY recommended that one utilize a written calendar or schedule to manage time, a written set of goals to best utilize talents and spiritual gifts, and a written budget to effectively manage financial resources.
What is your goal concerning the level of your stewardship of God’s gift to you of time, talents and treasures?
When and where will you develop your plans?
How will you keep track of how you are doing?
What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?