The Historic Ebenezer A.M.E. Church

Scriptural Reading: John 15:16-17

CONVERSION

Stewardship is about restoring all things to Christ. It’s about willingly giving of ourselves and what we have because we believe that the rewards of stewardship are eternal and we are a part of that eternal life.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 25: 14-30

OWNERSHIP

Stewardship is about understanding that it is not “they” who need help in ministries, work or fund, but “we” who are working together in the community. It is understanding that the needs of the whole community are OUR needs and that we are ALL responsible. What we do or give are not donations of volunteerism- it is taking ownership for being part of the community.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:26

IT’S ABOUT YOU

Stewardship is most importantly, knowing in your heart that you are a part of the Body of Christ. You are not just a member of a club. You are an actual part of the Body. You are integral, unique, and indispensable in being Christ to the world. Understanding stewardship is understanding that you cannot be a spectator, but an active, integral part of the life of the Church.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

TIME

Everyone has responsibilities to family and jobs. We also give time to our children’s sports and school activities. Stewardship of Time is not so much how much time you give to God, but rather have you budgeted God into your time? Have you, instead given God the leftovers?

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:9-11

TALENT

You may have gone to school to gain your skills, but who gave you the capacity to learn? Has it occurred to you that God gave you gifts, not for your benefit, but for the good of the whole community? Sharing your talents and gifts with grateful hearts is a wonderful outward sign of your gratitude of the many blessings God has given you.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 9:46-48

TREASURE

Stewardship of treasure again reflects your gratitude to God. It is not a matter of amount. It is a matter of praying over and planning what you will give. It is not stewardship to throw in the basket what is left in your pocket on Sunday morning. It’s about willingly putting God in your budget at the top of the list, regardless of the amount, in direct gratitude for all that God has given you and in response to your call to discipleship.

In relation to finances, stewardship has as much to do with how church members earn and give their money as with how the church uses its funds after they are placed in the offering plate. An annual pledge of 10 percent does not make individuals faithful stewards unless they discover the joy of managing faithfully the other 90 percent of their personal finances.

The purpose of giving in the church has two dimensions:

1.   Giving is part of an individual’s personal journey toward wholeness.

2.   Giving is essential to the mission of the ministry of the gospel through the church.

The sole motivation for giving of one’s self and giving of one’s finances is gratitude for

God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 25:14, 30 and 5:13-16

PRAYER

Above all, and in conjunction with Time, Talent, and Treasure is Prayer. Without Prayer, we cannot fully comprehend our roles as disciples. If you are breathing, you can still be a good steward of God’s goodness. If you are old or infirmed, you can still give to the community through Prayer. Always invite God in your everyday decision making.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; John 15:16-17, Mark 8:5-8

What the Bible has to say about Stewardship

(1 Corinthians 16:1-2 KJV)
(1) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first {day} of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as {God} hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

(2 Corinthians 9:6-8 KJV)
(6) But this {I say}, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, {so let him give}; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (8) And God {is} able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all {things}, may abound to every good work:

(Colossians 3:23-24 KJV)
(23) And whatsoever ye do, do {it} heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

(Matthew 6:20-21 KJV)
(20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(Luke 6:38 KJV)
(38) 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.

(3 John 1:2 KJV)
(2) Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

(Matthew 6:33 KJV)
(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(Matthew 19:29 KJV)
(29) And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

(Matthew 10:8 KJV)
(8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

(Deuteronomy 28:2-8,11-12 KJV)
(2) And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. (3) Blessed {shalt} thou {be} in the city, and blessed {shalt} thou {be} in the field. (4) Blessed {shall be} the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. (5) Blessed {shall be} thy basket and thy store. (6) Blessed {shalt} thou {be} when thou comest in, and blessed {shalt} thou {be} when thou goest out. (7) The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. (8) The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (11) And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (12) The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

(Malachi 3:8-12 KJV)
(8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye {are} cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, {even} this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that {there shall} not {be room} enough {to receive it}. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. (12) And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

(Deuteronomy 29:9 KJV)
(9) Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.

(1 Chronicles 22:13 KJV)
(13) Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

(Job 36:11 KJV)
(11) If they obey and serve {him}, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

(Proverbs 11:24-25 KJV)
(24) There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and {there is} that withholdeth more than is meet, but {it tendeth} to poverty. (25) The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

(Mark 10:29-30 KJV)
(29) And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, (30) But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

(Joshua 1:8 KJV)
(8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

What does stewardship mean to you?

There are two words that send the average congregation and common churchgoer into fear and panic, from the leadership and pastorate, that fears to offend or drive people away, to the church member who may be too far stretched in time and giving, and cannot give anymore, to the person who does not want to be convicted, lest he be forced to reach for the sacred will of his wallet or the exercise of His call. Yet, these two words are simple, and needed, because the church and the body of Christ could not function without them being proclaimed and exercised: These simple words are Stewardship and Evangelism.

Why such fear? Perhaps they necessitate a response that requires us to get up and do when we would rather sit down and don’t.  So, a cold shiver goes up the back of our complacency. These two words strike at the very heart and will of plans and ideas that we have set up for ourselves. They strike at our comfort, and the way of life we like and have designed for ourselves. Perhaps they even put us in front of the mirror of duty and requirement, of responsibility and a response to our free gift of grace, which we would rather not give. Then there is the world of complacency, where a Christian will just “pew sit” his way though life in his walk with Christ. A Sunday visit from time to time is more of a greater sacrifice than he can handle. His time is booked with the duty of his own plans and ideas. So when stewardship comes up, he realizes his failings. Guilt rears its ugly head, and calls for the primeval reaction of fight or flight. Thus, we can think we can fight against such requirements and proclaim they are not needed so we do not have to meet them. Or, we can run to another church that has no such requirement, so we can hide our inadequacies. I received my gift of grace, yet I will not send a thank-you, nor will I use it. It is to sit on my shelf for my comfort and insurance only. And, for the most part, God will let us keep it there.

That is the beauty of grace--no strings attached. But, what good is a car if all it does is stay parked? Without care, it will rust, degrade, and be of no value, even with 0 miles on the odometer. Yes, grace is given without strings attached, except for our faith. But, as the book of James proclaims, what good is it? What good is our salvation if it is only good for comfort and security? Of course, there is no greater Comfort or Security than our faith in Christ, so, why should we worry about temporary earthly pleasures, when so much more awaits us?

But, these words of Stewardship, sometimes referred to as tithing or Evangelism, and sometimes said of discipleship, do not need to be scary. Stewardship can be an act of love, and even fun! It can be a response to His love, which will give us much, much greater comfort than any plans or ideas on our part. Perhaps Christians want to give, but they do not know how. Maybe they just need to be told that all we have is not really ours to begin with. We are just temporary stewards of His treasures, time and talents. With such a view, we may see a pleasure in giving, and see the benefits as they help build the body of Christ.

 “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1)

The word, stewardship, simply means to manage someone else’s property. For the Christian, as Scripture proclaims everything belongs to God, we manage the property of our Lord. Since everything belongs to Christ, we need to have the attitude and view that our things are His things, our stuff is His stuff, that all we could have now, all we have lost, all we will have, is His, including our very bodies and spiritual gifts. We are mere lessees of the property, money, relationships, talents, time, and even our lives. That means all that we are and all that we have are not really ours to begin with. They belong to God. So, the duty of the Christian is to learn how to become responsible stewards of our Lord’s resources entrusted into our care. It means to manage everything to the best of our abilities for His glory (1 Cor. 4:2).

Qualities of the Christian Steward

To lead others to Christian stewardship, prayerfully study the qualities of the Christian steward and the biblical references to them

1. A Christian steward is compassionate.

Christian stewards are caretakers and caregivers. They concern themselves with the distribution of gifts and resources so that all might benefit (Genesis 2:4-9; Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; James 2:14-17).

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:27).

2. A Christian steward is content.

Christian stewards acknowledge that their strength comes from God through whom they can do all things regardless of how many or how few material possessions they have (Philippians 4:11-13; 1Timothy 6:6-10).

I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

3. A Christian steward is generous.

Christian stewards give whatever is needed and whenever it is needed (Proverbs 11:24-29; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 12:13-21; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

They voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).

4. A Christian steward is grateful.

Christian stewards value what has been entrusted to their care and protect and preserve everything as if it were their own, yet acknowledging that the earth and all that is in it belong to God (Psalm 24; Psalm 92:1-4; Luke 16:19-31; Philippians 4:6).

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night (Psalm 92:1-2).

5. A Christian steward is loving.

Christian stewards know that the Lord requires justice and kindness and humility, and they follow the two greatest commandments (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Micah 6:6-8; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:29-37; Luke 11:42; 1Corinthians 13:3; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 4:8-11).

[The scribe asked Jesus] “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbors yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28-31).

6. A Christian steward is loyal.

Christian stewards serve God faithfully, remembering who they are, whose they are, and why they are here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21, 24; Luke 14:25-33).

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24).

7. A Christian steward is obedient.

Christian stewards obey God by setting aside a part of all their income for others (Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Deuteronomy 26:1-18; Malachi 3:6-18; Luke 18:18-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

[Jesus replied to the ruler]: “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he [the ruler] heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich (Luke 18:22-23).

8. A Christian steward is prayerful.

Christian stewards acknowledge the greatness and goodness of God through prayer, fellowship, study, worship, and reflection (Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalm 145; Jeremiah 29:11-14; John 6:25-40; Romans 12:1-21).

Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

9. A Christian steward is responsible.

Christian stewards realize that caring for God’s creation and wisely managing resources never ends (Genesis 41:37-45; Numbers 18:25-32; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; Matthew 28:16-20).

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded of you (Matthew 28:19-20a).

10. A Christian steward sacrifices.

Christian stewards follow Jesus’ teaching to sacrifice what they have out of gratitude for their many blessings (Mark 12:41-44).

Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all that she had, all she had to live on (Mark 12:43-44).

11. A Christian steward shares.

Christian stewards have learned to distribute fairly so that none will be in need (Luke 19:1-10; Acts 4:32-35; Acts 20:34-35).

I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

12. A Christian steward is trustworthy.

Christian stewards can be trusted to make wise decisions concerning the resources placed within their care (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

Who are we as stewards? 

·       We are stewards of our spiritual life, deepening our relationship with God through worship, prayer, meditation, reading and studying scripture.

• We are stewards of our minds and bodies, understanding that God’s love for us requires us to take care of ourselves and see the beauty that God has placed in us.
• We are stewards of the time God has given us on this earth, striving to find healthful balance in work, rest, play, worship and service.
• We are stewards of the wealth that comes to us from God’s abundance, tending to our own needs yet also trusting enough in God to return a portion of our wealth to support the work of the Church both near and far.
• We are stewards of our gifts and talents, identifying them and realistically assessing how we can best put them to work for our own growth as Christians and at the same time to share God’s love with others.
• We are stewards of one another, freely accepting the responsibility to relate to those around us in loving, open and compassionate ways, including our enemies.
• We are stewards of the Church, the community in which God placed us to grow together in faith and understanding, and to serve in ministry and mission.
• We are stewards of the earth, its natural resources and all living things. God placed us in relationship with all creation and entrusted us with its care and management.
• We are stewards of truth, embracing and living out the principles of the Kingdom as lifted up by Jesus Christ and standing always for justice, righteousness, peace and fidelity.
• We are stewards of the Peace of Christ, letting it rule our hearts and offering it to others in love and humility

"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gifts each of you has received.”1   Peter 4:10

the Five Principles Of Stewardship

Western culture promotes the idea that those with the most money are the winners in life. God’s purposes for money are quite different from that of modern society. Quantity of money is not important to God. Therefore, in determining winners and losers in God’s economic system, it is the quality of financial management, not the quantity of finances, which matters most. Godly financial stewardship is a matter of how, not how much.

Five Principles of Good Stewardship

God owns everything. Everything means everything.

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1)

The Genesis creation record makes it clear that God is the sovereign Creator who owns and reigns over the earth. It is also clear that God appointed man to manage this creation (Gen. 2:15).

God’s people are God’s management company.

If you are a Christian, remember that being part of God’s household gives you responsibilities to work for the house of God. You enter into a contract with God that requires you to be a steward of your part of his creation. It is a further obligation that although you are free to make your own choices, the choices you make must give God glory.

Stewardship is responsibility with accountability.

God did not create a people to be servants but to be relatives, sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth (Is. 43:6). He receives glory from people who willingly serve him as a manifestation of their relationship to him. God desires that you truly love him, and he intends to test that love by seeing how you respond with your use of money. You can’t serve both God and money. Ultimately, God is not as interested in our management skills as He is in how devoted we are to Him.

Stewardship is an expression of commitment to others.

 It is a response to God’s goodness to you. Stewardship is not doing something for God with your money, but doing something for others with his money. You act on God’s behalf and in his name. The apostle Paul described himself as a slave to everyone (1 Corinthians. 9:19) and always seeking their good (1 Corinthians. 10:24, 33). Further he told us to look not only to our own interest, but also the interests of others (Phil. 2:4). Your attitude, Paul wrote, should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Phil. 2:5-7). Stewardship is both an expression of your love for God and the realization of that love in your relationships to others.

Stewardship has eternal consequences.

Underlying most of Jesus’ instruction is the assumption that your life on earth will

prepare you for your future in heaven. Paul explained to the Philippians believers, I am not looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your future, heavenly account (Phil. 4:17). Stewardship builds heavenly treasure by transferring wealth from your bank account to your heavenly account. Because god is eternal, he operates in an eternal time frame. Likewise, the actions of God’s stewards will have eternal consequences.