Being Good Stewards Part 1

Matt 25:14-19

" “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them"

Matt 6:1-2

"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward."

Its hard for most people to part with money; God knows that about us. Yet He asks us to give to Him out of obedience, from hearts happy to comply with His requirements. He doesnt command us to give our earnings so we get a blessing from Him. He asks us to give because He knows whats good for our hearts. He knows that hoarding, hiding, or burying what we have hurts us in the long run, feeds our pride and shifts our focus away from Him. He knows that giving wisely and joyfully keeps our perspective real and our hearts and hands open to Him.

Ages ago, God set up a system for caring for His family, one where orphans and widows, poor and needy would be taken care of through faithfulness of those who give to Him out of obedience. he wants each person to give, regardless of their wealth because He know a giving heart has room for Him.

When His system is in place, even when the poor give to the Lord from their meagerness, they are well taken care of as well. They are able to experience the joy of giving and the pleasure of being part of the Church. In the early Church, when the poor brought their small offering, they also bought their needs. That is the function of the Church-to administer goods, physical help, encouragement, food and money to those who need it, and to glorify God in the world through the way we care for each other.

So how much and who do we give to?

First give out of what you have not out of what you dont have.

Be smart about your money.

God gave us brains we need to use them.

First give to your local church

Before I join a church I check to see if they are totally transparent. I remember speaking to my cousin when I was thinking of joining his church in California. I asked to see their quarterly report on their finances.

I was told rather indignantly "Its none of your business".

You hear this a lot these days.

This church ended up getting condemned because building fund money didnt go where it should. They had church out in a tent after that.

If you cant walk into a church and get information on where their money is going I suggest you dont go there because you shouldnt give there.

The next article will deal with giving outside your church and to different charities and foundations.