This holiday season you will be approached by many organizations with their hand stuck out wishing to be a part of your giving spirit. Many organizations will send out appeal letters suggesting you make an end of year donation for tax benefits. Others will send out letters showing desperation of need, tugging at your inner emotions that are already running high simply because that is what we do this time of year. There’s something about Christmas that tends to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We tend to get a little too into the spirit of giving and we tend to be a little less tight with the ole pocketbook in other words we spend too much money and put ourselves into deeper trouble than we were before the holidays came. If we were good stewards of our God given gifts we might be more apt to be in the Christmas spirit of giving year round. ..
So what does stewardship mean? I looked up the definition of the word on dictionary.com and here is what it said: stewardship is a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others. We are all stewards for God; Jesus tells us that everything on Earth is God’s. So according to the definition of steward we are the managers of God’s stuff. It all belongs to God, our talents, treasures, gifts; knowledge God blesses us with so many gifts. All he asks us to do is to be good managers of his stuff. When you are a good steward, you worry about best fruits to go to God first.
God puts resources in our lives and we do not use as suggested, are we ripping off God, how do we rob God? We do it every day. We tend to put off giving; oh I forgot to write a check out before I left the house for church. I will get it next week, and then the next thing you know a month goes by and you have not given your first fruits to God. Excuses are easier to do than to stick to a plan. The government has it right, automatically take out the taxes owed before you even get a chance to make up an excuse. Shouldn’t God be the same way.No. We should love God over state. He dosent care if you give once a month, once a quarter or even once a year, as long as you are giving from the heart, and you are giving routinely. Should we tithe? Yes, we are instructed to do so in the bible. What doesn’t matter is how much it is about the devotion. In 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” What we learn is that the giver should be cheerful, the giver should give regularly, and the giving amount should be felt…”Sacrificial giver”
So let’s take a look at stewardship again. “One who manages another’s property or financial affairs” how do we go about being a good steward? I think the following should be considered before giving a dime to any organization or church or individual:
Things to know before you Give
1. Is the ministry Biblically faithful?
2. Is the ministry lead by qualified leaders? Should not give resources to church or ministry that does not have qualified biblical leaders…Are they competent? Are they doing their Job efficiently?
3. Is the ministry well organized in using stewardship of money? Outside Council and accountability
a. Do you appreciate qualified competent leadership?
b. Do you see yourself as a steward to support our ministry with your God given gift?
c. Do you give your first fruits? First and best
4. Does the organization or person tithe?
5. How is the organization or person doing financially? What is the average giver amount? And the number of people that have given to the organization this year?
6. How can you give? Money, Gifting
7. How much should I tithe? 2 Corinthians 8 and 9
a. Is it regular
b. Sacrificial - according to Paul Sacrificial giving doesn't have to hurt but need to feel it
c. Giving is to be cheerful - the only way to be cheerful is to see Jesus…Jesus is a giver
To sum up everything, this Christmas season you will be asked for money for different reasons from different people. I ask you to think about the organizations, do your research before giving a dime. Search your heart, does the group fit into your lifestyle and beliefs? Once you have a sound mind I ask you to please give with a cheerful heart, and consider giving year round not just once during Christmas because you are feeling joyous and are in a giving mood.
God puts resources in our lives and we do not use as suggested, are we ripping off God, how do we rob God? We do it every day. We tend to put off giving; oh I forgot to write a check out before I left the house for church. I will get it next week, and then the next thing you know a month goes by and you have not given your first fruits to God. Excuses are easier to do than to stick to a plan. The government has it right, automatically take out the taxes owed before you even get a chance to make up an excuse. Shouldn’t God be the same way.No. We should love God over state. He dosent care if you give once a month, once a quarter or even once a year, as long as you are giving from the heart, and you are giving routinely. Should we tithe? Yes, we are instructed to do so in the bible. What doesn’t matter is how much it is about the devotion. In 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” What we learn is that the giver should be cheerful, the giver should give regularly, and the giving amount should be felt…”Sacrificial giver”
So let’s take a look at stewardship again. “One who manages another’s property or financial affairs” how do we go about being a good steward? I think the following should be considered before giving a dime to any organization or church or individual:
Things to know before you Give
1. Is the ministry Biblically faithful?
2. Is the ministry lead by qualified leaders? Should not give resources to church or ministry that does not have qualified biblical leaders…Are they competent? Are they doing their Job efficiently?
3. Is the ministry well organized in using stewardship of money? Outside Council and accountability
a. Do you appreciate qualified competent leadership?
b. Do you see yourself as a steward to support our ministry with your God given gift?
c. Do you give your first fruits? First and best
4. Does the organization or person tithe?
5. How is the organization or person doing financially? What is the average giver amount? And the number of people that have given to the organization this year?
6. How can you give? Money, Gifting
7. How much should I tithe? 2 Corinthians 8 and 9
a. Is it regular
b. Sacrificial - according to Paul Sacrificial giving doesn't have to hurt but need to feel it
c. Giving is to be cheerful - the only way to be cheerful is to see Jesus…Jesus is a giver
To sum up everything, this Christmas season you will be asked for money for different reasons from different people. I ask you to think about the organizations, do your research before giving a dime. Search your heart, does the group fit into your lifestyle and beliefs? Once you have a sound mind I ask you to please give with a cheerful heart, and consider giving year round not just once during Christmas because you are feeling joyous and are in a giving mood.
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