1. Royce P. Bell August 28, 2006 Mt View Church, SB #1 The Spirit of Stewardship Financial Stewardship: An Example for Us, Today

2. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

3. The Nature of Stewardship And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ~Luke 12:42-44 n Faithfulness in the lesser, produces trust for the greater.

4. Christians and Stewardship n The duty of trustworthiness, 1 Corinthians 4:1,...it is required... n Defines the gifts we have received from God As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of GodAs each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God ~1 Peter 4:10

5. Turn Affliction/Poverty into Joy Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality ~ 2 Corinthians 8:1-2

6. Let Fellowship Exceed Ability For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints ~ 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 n Key Concept: …of their own accord…

7. Exceed the Expectation...and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God ~ 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 n First, Be Given to the Lord n Then, According to His Will: –Wherever He takes us... –For whatever purpose He desires… –Under whomever He appoints...

8. The Spirit of Stewardship - I n 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 n The nature of stewardship n Christians and stewardship n Three principles –Turn affliction into joy –Let fellowship exceed ability –Exceed the expectation

9. Let Fellowship Match Faith But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:7 n If You Lack or Doubt Abundance, Your Problem is Faith!

10. Exercise Prompted Sincerity I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. ~2 Corinthians 8:8-9

11. Use Integrity In Purposing For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality ~2 Corinthians 8:12-13 n Integrity in recognition (readiness) n Integrity in judging personal ability n Integrity in seeking equality

12. The Spirit of Stewardship - II n 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 n The nature of stewardship n Christians and stewardship n Three principles –Let fellowship match faith –Exercise prompted sincerity & liberality –Use integrity in purposing

13. Let God Provide Sufficiency God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed...Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness ~2 Corinthians 9:8-10

14. Let Sufficiency Dictate Liberality Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. ~2 Corinthians 9:10-11

15. The Challenge of Example n Remember 2 Corinthians 8:8-9,...as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love… n The power of example: –Of the Christ, Who gave all –Of those now gone, who paid the bills in former times –Of saints, who regularly sacrifice

16. Paying a Vow n The Vow is Unto God –No defect (not ill-gotten or tainted)... »Tainted by Attitude - 2 Corinthians 9:7 »Tainted by Defect - Leviticus 22:21, cf. Malachi 1:7-9, Why not offer it to your governor? –Pay it... »Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, cf. 2 Corinthians 8:10ff n The Penalty of Lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11)

17. The Spirit of Stewardship n 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 n The nature of stewardship –Christians and stewardship n Eight principles –Affliction into joy –Let fellowship exceed ability –Exceed the expectation... –Let fellowship match faith –Exercise prompted sincerity & liberality –Use integrity in purposing –Let God provide sufficiency –Let sufficiency dictate liberality n Challenge of example n Paying a vow