Steve Petch Sunday 12 th May 2013 Stewardship Sunday – Week 1

Stewardship: “How we handle the resources God has entrusted to us”

What’s your favourite Bible verse on money? “My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4v19

Stewardship: “How we handle the resources God has entrusted to us” What resources has God entrusted to us to steward?

Your money Your possessions Your house Your time Your skills/gifts Your job What resources has God entrusted to me to steward? Your body Your family Your church (esp. elders) Your words Your spiritual life (The earth / environment)

We need the right ATTITUDE: Biblical principles of stewardship “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights …” (James 1v17) “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor 4v17) “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4v19) HUMILITY and FAITH

We are ACCOUNTABLE to God: Biblical principles of stewardship The parable of the shrewd manager – Luke 16v1-18 The parable of the talents – Matthew 25v14-30 The parable of the king’s servants – Luke 19v12-27 The parable of the rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16v19-31 The parable of the rich fool – Luke 12v16-21 The parable of the wicked servants – Luke 20v9-16

We are ACCOUNTABLE to God: Biblical principles of stewardship “One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16v10) “Walk as children of light … and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Eph 5v8/10) BE FAITHFUL and SEEK GOD’S APPROVAL

We need to take faith filled ACTION: Biblical principles of stewardship “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace” (1 Peter 4v9-10) “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col 3v23-24) SERVING and WORSHIP

Your money Your possessions Your house Your time Your skills/gifts Your job What resources has God entrusted to me to steward? Your body Your family Your church (esp. elders) Your words Your spiritual life (The World / Environment)

ATTITUDE: Humility and Faith ACCOUNTABILITY: Faithful, seeking God’s approval ACTION: Serving God and others – Worship Biblical principles of stewardship Stewardship: “How we handle the resources God has entrusted to us”

Using Pay Day Loans Hiding Bills / Ignoring Them Fear of Bills “Robbing Peter to pay Paul” No clear budget Unable to say what your true bank balance is Signs that I could improve my stewardship of money:

Regularly going overdrawn Credit card loans are going up Living on next months money Pay day is a “good” day emotionally Wealthy … but no clue about income/expenditure Not a generous giver Signs that I could improve my stewardship of money: Attitude … Accountability … Action

‘One Off’ Givers Proportional Givers Regular Givers Generous Givers (Tithers) START £ Non Givers “What step is God calling me (and my family) to take regarding money and finance?”

Reasons some people don’t give, or give poorly: You’re new here Your finances are in a mess You are in debt You are a student/on benefits/low income You are a teenager / at school “I give time instead”

You give elsewhere You’re married to a non Christian You don’t see the need Your lifestyle/priorities are wrong You haven’t got round to it Basic disobedience to God You don’t know how! Reasons some people don’t give, or give poorly:

‘One Off’ Givers Proportional Givers Regular Givers Generous Givers (Tithers) START £ Non Givers “What step is God calling me (and my family) to take regarding money and finance?”

““One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11v24-25 “My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4v19

Steve Petch Sunday 12 th May 2013 Stewardship Sunday – Week 1