Stewardship Ministry

a.     The word “steward” comes from two old English words – “sty” meaning “a place where pigs are kept”, and “warden” meaning “one who cares for the pigs (possessions) that belong to another”.  Therefore, as stewards, we take care of that which belongs to someone else.

b.     How does this translate into our role as stewards of what God has provided for us? 

A.    The steward is NOT the owner.  (God is the owner.)

B.    The steward has a position of authority and is given great responsibility. 

C.    The steward cares for the possessions of the owner for the benefit of the owner

c.     Two Cautions –

1.     Do not have a false sense of ownership. 

2.     Do not take credit for your wealth or feel that you have earned or deserve it

d.     Two Celebrations –

1.     Celebrate that God has chosen us to be stewards – that we have a position of authority.

2.  Our God is a God of abundance not of scarcity.  He calls us to do wonderful things.

a.     What comes to mind when you hear the word "Stewardship?"

                        - Money                       - Pledging                    - Raising Funds                        - Funding the Budget

                        - Offering                    - Giving                                   - Special Appeals

However, Stewardship is more than a financial matter.  It is a spiritual matter.  When we hear the word "Stewardship", how many of us think of:

                        - Faith Practices                        - Blessings                    - Generosity                 - Worship

                        - Discipleship               - Gifts Received                       - Thanksgiving                        - Spiritual Growth

b.      Stewardship is about discipleship - "How am I called to use God's blessings?"

             Stewardship is not about membership - "How much does the church need?"

c.     God is the source and owner of all we have.  All we have comes from God.  

d.     We are stewards of God’s blessings.  We have authority and responsibility to care for God’s blessings.  God has entrusted us to use His blessings wisely.

e.     Stewardship is one of the 7 Core Values of Ascension

f.      Stewardship is one of the elements of Spiritual Growth.  It is part of our Spiritual Journey.

                             i.     Tithing and Generosity is one of 5 "avenues" down which we travel on our Spiritual Journey

                           ii.     Stewardship is one of those opportunities for growth in discipleship - Preparing us for our earthly callings/purposes

 

 

a.     Be Intentional in giving – Develop a plan for giving and then follow through with it.  Pledge cards help people be intentional.   (2 Corinthians 9:7a – “Each one should give, then, as he has decided.”). 

b.     Give Proportionately – Give in proportion to the blessings you have received.  (Mark 12:41-44 – Story of the Widow’s Might: Even though the amount she gave was small, she really gave more than all of the rich people who gave what they could spare; she gave all she had.)

c.     Be Regular in Giving - Establish a pattern (monthly, weekly) and follow that pattern.  (1 Corinthians 16:2 – “Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what he has earned.”)

d.     Give from First Fruits – Give to God first and live off of the rest.  Don’t give God the leftovers.  Giving first is an essential key to giving generously.   Think "10-10-80".  (Deuteronomy 26:2 – “each of you must place in a basket the first part of each crop that you harvest and you must take it with you to the one place of worship.”).

e.     Be Generous in giving – Generous giving is the essence of discipleship.  (Luke 12:34 – “For your heart will always be where your riches are.”).  God’s generosity is the basis for any call for generous giving by God’s people.  (2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.”)

f.      Give Cheerfully - God loves a cheerful giver.  (2 Corinthians 9:7b – “Don’t give with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.”)  The key to being a cheerful giver is to practice the other stewardship values.