Wise Stewardship: Managing Finances for God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Passion for the Lost

As believers, we must remain passionate about reaching those who do not yet know Jesus. Our actions and attitudes can significantly impact others' eternal destinies. We should create an atmosphere in God's house where people feel welcomed, accepted, and known, allowing God to work in their hearts. [40:32]

In our daily lives, it is easy to become complacent and forget the urgency of sharing the Gospel with those who have not yet encountered Jesus. Our passion for the lost should drive us to be intentional in our interactions, showing love and compassion to everyone we meet. This passion is not just about words but also about creating an environment where people feel genuinely welcomed and valued. When we embody Christ's love, we open the door for God to work in the hearts of those around us.

Creating an atmosphere of acceptance and love in our church community is crucial. It allows people to experience God's love firsthand and feel a sense of belonging. This sense of community can be a powerful tool in drawing people closer to God. As we engage with others, let us remember that our actions and attitudes can have a lasting impact on their spiritual journey. By being passionate about reaching the lost, we fulfill our calling to be Christ's ambassadors in the world.

Luke 15:4-7 (ESV): "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally show them Christ's love this week?

Day 2: Financial Stewardship

Stewardship is more than just generosity; it involves managing what God has given us wisely. We must ask ourselves how well we are doing in the area of our finances, ensuring that we are not letting money become a roadblock in our relationship with God. [47:32]

Financial stewardship is a critical aspect of our spiritual lives. It is not merely about giving generously but also about managing our resources wisely. God has entrusted us with various blessings, including our finances, and it is our responsibility to use them in a way that honors Him. This means being mindful of how we spend, save, and invest our money. It also involves being aware of the potential pitfalls of wealth, such as greed and materialism, which can hinder our relationship with God.

One practical way to practice financial stewardship is by creating and adhering to a budget. This helps us keep track of our expenses and ensures that we are living within our means. Additionally, it allows us to allocate funds for tithing and saving, which are essential components of good stewardship. By managing our finances wisely, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our commitment to using His blessings for His glory.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."

Reflection: Take a moment to evaluate your current financial habits. Are there areas where you need to improve your stewardship? What steps can you take to align your finances with God's principles?

Day 3: Budgeting and Planning

Having a budget is crucial for good stewardship. The 80-10-10 rule—10% for tithing, 10% for saving, and living on the remaining 80%—is a practical guideline to help us manage our finances effectively. Knowing where our money is going helps us avoid living beyond our means. [52:23]

Budgeting is an essential tool for effective financial stewardship. It provides a clear picture of our income and expenses, helping us make informed decisions about how to allocate our resources. The 80-10-10 rule is a practical guideline that can help us maintain a balanced approach to our finances. By dedicating 10% of our income to tithing, we honor God with our firstfruits. Saving 10% allows us to prepare for future needs and emergencies, while living on the remaining 80% ensures that we are not overspending.

Creating a budget requires discipline and intentionality. It involves tracking our expenses, setting financial goals, and making adjustments as needed. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of debt and financial stress. A well-planned budget also enables us to be more generous, as we have a clear understanding of our financial capacity. Ultimately, budgeting is a way to practice good stewardship and demonstrate our trust in God's provision.

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV): "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."

Reflection: Do you have a budget in place? If not, take some time this week to create one. If you already have a budget, review it to ensure it aligns with the 80-10-10 rule and make any necessary adjustments.

Day 4: Evaluating Debt

Not all debt is bad, but it must be managed wisely. We should ask ourselves if our debts are strategic and beneficial in the long term. Unwise debt can make us slaves to our lenders, as warned in Proverbs 22:7. [54:32]

Debt is a reality for many people, but not all debt is created equal. Some debts, such as mortgages or student loans, can be considered strategic if they provide long-term benefits. However, other types of debt, like high-interest credit card debt, can be detrimental to our financial health. It is essential to evaluate our debts and determine whether they are helping or hindering our financial goals. Wise debt management involves making informed decisions about borrowing and ensuring that we can comfortably repay what we owe.

The Bible warns us about the dangers of unwise debt, as it can lead to financial bondage. Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender." This verse reminds us that excessive debt can limit our financial freedom and create unnecessary stress. To avoid this, we must be diligent in managing our debts, prioritizing repayment, and avoiding unnecessary borrowing. By doing so, we can maintain financial stability and honor God with our resources.

Romans 13:8 (ESV): "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

Reflection: Take a close look at your current debts. Are they strategic and beneficial in the long term? What steps can you take to manage or reduce your debt more effectively?

Day 5: Generosity Beyond Tithing

Generosity involves intentional giving beyond the tithe. It reflects our heart's priorities and our willingness to trust God with our finances. Our financial decisions should align with our commitment to God, as where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. [56:53]

Generosity is a hallmark of a faithful steward. While tithing is an important practice, true generosity goes beyond the tithe. It involves intentional and sacrificial giving that reflects our heart's priorities and our trust in God's provision. Generosity is not just about the amount we give but the attitude with which we give. It is an expression of our gratitude for God's blessings and our desire to bless others in return.

Our financial decisions reveal much about our spiritual condition. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." When we prioritize generosity, we demonstrate that our hearts are aligned with God's purposes. This means being open-handed with our resources, supporting those in need, and investing in God's kingdom. By practicing generosity, we cultivate a heart of compassion and reflect God's love to the world.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Reflect on your current giving habits. Are you practicing generosity beyond tithing? How can you be more intentional in your giving to reflect your commitment to God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the concept of stewardship, particularly focusing on financial stewardship. We began by celebrating the community and the importance of being involved in God's house. We then transitioned into the core message, emphasizing that stewardship is not just about generosity but also about managing what God has given us wisely. We discussed the importance of being passionate about reaching the lost and how our actions and attitudes can impact others' eternal destinies.

We delved into the practical aspects of financial stewardship, asking ourselves how well we are managing our finances. We examined Matthew 13:22, which warns about the deceitfulness of wealth choking the word of God, making it unfruitful. This led us to consider the importance of not letting money become a roadblock in our relationship with God. We discussed the necessity of having a budget and understanding where our money is going, using the 80-10-10 rule as a guideline: 10% for tithing, 10% for saving, and living on the remaining 80%.

We also touched on the importance of evaluating our debts and ensuring they are strategic and beneficial in the long term. We highlighted that not all debt is bad, but it must be managed wisely. Finally, we discussed the concept of generosity, which goes beyond tithing and involves intentional giving. We emphasized that our financial decisions reflect our heart's priorities, as stated in Matthew 6:21: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

###

Key Takeaways

1. 10-10 rule—10% for tithing, 10% for saving, and living on the remaining 80%—is a practical guideline to help us manage our finances effectively. Knowing where our money is going helps us avoid living beyond our means. [52:23]
4. Evaluating Debt: Not all debt is bad, but it must be managed wisely. We should ask ourselves if our debts are strategic and beneficial in the long term. Unwise debt can make us slaves to our lenders, as warned in Proverbs 22:7.

5. Generosity Beyond Tithing: Generosity involves intentional giving beyond the tithe. It reflects our heart's priorities and our willingness to trust God with our finances. Our financial decisions should align with our commitment to God, as where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

### [52:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:53] - Community Celebrations
[37:40] - Online Audience Welcome
[38:17] - Introduction of Lucas and His Journey
[39:38] - Importance of Being Involved in God's House
[40:32] - Passion for the Lost
[41:22] - Evangelism and Sharing the Gospel
[42:17] - Loving People and Sharing Our Stories
[43:24] - Christianity 101: Reaching the Lost
[44:26] - Personal Testimony and Prayer
[45:38] - Upcoming Special Speaker Announcement
[46:14] - Good Pharma Series Introduction
[46:47] - Focus on the Seed of Stewardship
[47:32] - Financial Stewardship and Personal Reflection
[48:13] - Matthew 13:22 and the Deceitfulness of Wealth
[49:49] - Common Marriage Struggles: Communication, Sex, and Money
[51:19] - Hardening Our Hearts Towards Financial Stewardship
[52:23] - The Seed of Stewardship Test
[53:37] - Solomon's Wealth and Heart Condition
[54:32] - Indicators of Good Stewardship
[55:12] - Beyond Tithing: Comprehensive Stewardship
[56:24] - Galatians 6:7-9: Reaping What We Sow
[56:53] - Importance of Where and How Much We Sow
[57:24] - Practical Budgeting Tips
[58:52] - Evaluating Investments and Stewardship
[59:26] - Knowing the Condition of Our Finances
[60:05] - The Importance of Budgeting
[61:18] - Practical Budgeting Tools
[62:40] - Cash Flow: Income vs. Expenditure
[63:31] - Intentional Giving and Generosity
[64:19] - Faithfulness in Small and Large Matters
[65:24] - Living Within Our Means
[66:49] - The 80-10-10 Rule
[68:17] - Proverbs 24:10: Wise and Foolish Stewardship
[69:38] - Tithing and First Fruits
[70:35] - Bringing the Tithe to the Storehouse
[71:57] - Saving for Emergencies
[72:46] - Living on the Remaining 80%
[73:29] - Evaluating Cash Flow and Net Worth
[74:00] - Strategic Debt Management
[75:16] - Questions to Ask About Debt
[76:22] - Evaluating Investments
[77:31] - Wise and Unwise Debt
[78:41] - Biblical Perspective on Career Choices
[79:05] - Credit Cards and Discipline
[80:11] - Planting Better Seeds
[80:48] - Generosity Beyond Tithing
[81:23] - Intentional Giving and Offerings
[82:00] - Biblical References on Finances
[83:45] - Stewardship and Giving in Scripture
[84:26] - Loving God with All Our Heart
[85:01] - Serving God vs. Serving Money
[85:47] - Contentment and God's Provision
[86:48] - The Best SOS Test: Where Is Your Heart?
[87:33] - Matthew 6:21: Treasure and Heart
[88:12] - Discipleship and Investment
[88:48] - Passion for God's House
[89:31] - Personal Testimony and Commitment
[90:18] - Zacchaeus and the Rich Young Ruler
[91:16] - Who Has Your Heart?
[93:27] - Invitation to Receive Jesus
[94:17] - Prayer and Commitment
[95:39] - Closing Remarks and Final Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 13:22, what are the two things that can choke the word of God and make it unfruitful?
In the sermon, what practical guideline was suggested for managing finances effectively? ([52:23])
What does Matthew 6:21 suggest about the relationship between our treasure and our heart?
How does Proverbs 22:7 describe the relationship between the borrower and the lender?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus used the metaphor of thorns choking the seed to describe the impact of wealth on spiritual growth? ([48:54])
How can the 80-10-10 rule help in aligning our financial decisions with our faith? ([52:23])
What does it mean for our financial decisions to reflect our heart's priorities, as mentioned in Matthew 6:21? ([56:53])
How can debt become a roadblock in our relationship with God, according to Proverbs 22:7? ([54:32])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current financial habits. Are there areas where you feel the "deceitfulness of wealth" might be choking your spiritual growth? How can you address this? ([48:54])
The sermon emphasized the importance of budgeting. Do you currently have a budget? If not, what steps can you take this week to create one? ([52:23])
Consider the 80-10-10 rule. How can you start implementing this guideline in your financial planning? What challenges do you foresee, and how can you overcome them? ([52:23])
Evaluate your current debts. Are they strategic and beneficial in the long term? What changes can you make to manage your debts more wisely? ([54:32])
Generosity goes beyond tithing. Think of a way you can be intentionally generous this week. What specific action can you take to give beyond your tithe? ([56:53])
Reflect on Matthew 6:21. Where is your treasure currently? How can you realign your financial priorities to reflect a heart committed to God? ([56:53])
The sermon mentioned the importance of being passionate about reaching the lost. How can your financial stewardship contribute to creating an atmosphere in God's house where people feel welcomed and known? ([40:32])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I think God's cool. I think we serve an amazing God. And I love watching us continue to reach people and helping people step into the call that God's placed on their life. This is not in my message, so we'll hurry. But, you know, just because you don't work at a church doesn't mean you're not in ministry." [39:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "How many think we're getting closer and closer every day to Jesus coming back? Anybody with me? Okay, then that should mean something. That should mean that this church needs to stay extremely passionate about the lost. Because we're talking about eternity, folks. You say, that's heavy. It should be heavy. It should be heavy." [40:32] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We don't do that by loving people, inviting people into our world, sharing our story of how God's captured our heart. Come on, somebody. And allowing the Holy Spirit to do what he's really good at, which is change us all from the inside out. Boy, I don't know why I'm on this, but this is good whether you know it or not." [42:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Let's be people that care about lost people. Don't ever let church become about you. And don't ever let church become about me. Come on, somebody. Let's always make it about the person. Who might not be connected to him yet." [43:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You show me your checkbook, I'll show you what you care about. And if you looked at mine, you would see, that I have a strong passion for golf right now. Strong. And I'm horrible. Okay, look at this verse, and I'm gonna share just one more thing on that. Look at Matthew 6, 21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [01:27:33] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The reality that people could potentially, even in this room, be on their way to help. And that you and I, as believers, that have the privilege. Privilege of knowing where we're headed. We have the responsibility to help that other person that may not be have a connection with Jesus. And I believe that happens the best in God's house." [40:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Y'all believe that you carry a call, that God has commissioned you to share the good news? It's one of the biggest commands he gives us as a Christ follower. It's to get out and share the gospel. And we don't do that with picket signs, just so we're clear. We don't do that standing down on Main Street with, you know, get right or go to hell signs." [42:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So my challenge to you and to me is like, hey, let's set all of that down. Let's set all of these pre-assumptions. Let's set all of these things, let's set them down. Let's back off of that for today. And let's listen and see what God has to say about this. Is that okay? Y'all with me on that? You willing to take that journey? I hope so." [52:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You can't plant a seed of tithe and live like a fool in all the other areas and expect your finances to be healthy. Well, I tithe. Great job. But if you go to Galatians, this has been a big thing that we've been focused on. I think it may have been here as well. But Galatians 6, 7 through 9, do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps. It's what he sows. Even in the area of your finances." [55:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Generosity is actually anything over and above our tithe. We use the word generous like, hey, let's be generous. People have generosity. It's part of our vibe. I think one of the biggest reasons why we do that, even when we're talking about the tithe specifically, is because it cuts less. Generosity sounds better. We hear the word tithe and we, generosity's like, oh yeah, I dig generosity. But generosity actually is after." [01:22:00] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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