1. THE FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP OF A FAITHFUL WORKER – Belonging to a local church is to accept among other things, financial responsibility of the support of the ministry of that local church.
- 15 October 2016
“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:” Proverbs 3:9
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

2. Financial Stewardship in General
Is giving ourselves to God and using our money for the glory of God and allowing Him to have first place in our lives
We have the responsibility of working and acquiring money in God’s honouring way – Deut. 8:17-18
We should regard money as a gift from God, hence we are accountable to God; faithfulness in this regards attract blessing – Hag 2:8; Mal 3:8- 12; Hag 1:5-7
Wasteful spending and debt can be prevented by a workable budget – Prov 16:32; Isaiah 55:2; Luke 15:11-14,30
Loving or serving, hoarding and squandering money displeases God – 1 Tim 6:10; Mat 6:24; Luke 12:15-21; 15:12-16

3. Financial Stewardship in Giving
As faithful workers, we are all called to a life of giving which is over and above the tithing – Acts 20:35
Giving is to support the work of the ministry – house of worship, outreach & church planting programmes, support for full-time ministers etc. – Mal 3:10
Giving is investing in God’s bank and it is indeed a spiritual sacrifice that brings fruit to the account of the giver – Luke 6:38; Mal 3:11- 12
Giving is the secret of the believer’s prosperity – Prov 11:25; 2 Cor 9:6

4. Attitude in Giving
In giving to the Lord, we must first give ourselves to Him in consecration, yieldedness, and total submission – 2 Cor 8:5
God evaluates our actions on the basis of our attitudes. Absolutely critical in our giving is an attitude of love – 1 Cor 13:3
Regard giving as an expression of our gratefulness to God as our Creator, our Saviour, and our faithful Provider – Deut 16:16; Mat 6:21;
God wants us to give willingly to His work. He looks past the amount of the gift to the heart of the giver – 2 Cor 9:7; Exo 25:2; Luk 21:1-3

5. Approach in Giving
Give to God first before spending on other needs – Prov 3:9-10
Plan to give systematically – giving should be a priority, premeditated, and without pride – 1 Cor 16:2
Make conscious effort to give – Deut 16:16
Give generously and graciously – 2 Cor 9:6
Give regularly, consistently and at every opportunity to give
The level and pattern of giving of a local church reveals the level of responsibility of the membership.
- give the first fruit of our increase or gain
- ‘… he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully’
- ‘… they shall not appear before the Lord empty’
it takes grace to give in God’s way
Don’t be a one time giver

6. Amount to Give
‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.’ Luke 6:38
We are to give in proportion to the material blessing we receive; give as the Lord prospers or directs.
The tithe is the minimum amount God expect of us i.e. 10% of our gross income as salary earners or of our profit as traders – Genesis 28:22; Malachi 3:8-9
Give more by way of offering and sacrificial giving – Phil 4:18

7. Accountability & Advantages of Giving
On the day of reckoning, each one of us will be called to give an account to the rightful owner as to how well we managed the financial resources he has entrusted to us – Mat 25:19; Luke 16:2
Rewards in this life, so that we may give more and have our needs met at the same time – Prov 11:25; 2 Cor 9:6b; Mat 19:29
Directs our attention and heart to Christ – Mat 6:21
Receive full reward in eternity – Mat 25:21; Col 3:23-24

8. Thank you
&
Let’s Pray
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36