It should be our highest aim in life to get ready for heaven'

1
It should be our highest aim in life to get
ready for heaven. 5 MR 255
2
Church and Personal Financial Management for
Pastors
By G. Edward Reid, Stewardship Director North
American Division
3
A Fascinating Interchange Between Jesus and His
Disciples is Recorded in Matthew 1613-17
4
Jesus posed the question in Matthew 1615, a
question which is just as relevant and just as
provocative as the moment it was first asked.
Who do you say that I am? Jesus asked His
disciples. He asks the same of us today.
5
How do people in our generation answer this
question? Who do they say Jesus is?

• Some say He is a great prophet.
• Some say He is a great teacher.
• Some say He is a wonderful moral example.
• Some say He is an outstanding philosopher.

6
And Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say
to you, before Abraham was, I AM. John
858 He said He was the great I AM.
7
Christian apologist, Josh McDowell stated in his
book, More than a Carpenter, in connection with
the claims of Christ, There are only three
viable possibilities Either Jesus Christ was a
liar, or He was a lunatic, or He was just who He
claimed to be the Lord God.
8
C.S. Lewis, the eminent English Protestant
scholar stated
9

• Either this man was, and is, the Son of God
  or else a madman or something worse. You can
  shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and
  kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet
  and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come
  up with any patronizing nonsense about His being
  a great human teacher. He has not left that open
  to us. He did not intend to.
• -Mere Christianity, Book 2, Chapter 3,
  The Shocking Alternative

10
In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the
earth. Gen. 11
11
The Christian World View
The very first thing the Bible establishes about
God is that His is the Creator of heaven and
earth (Gen. 11), and this forms the foundation
for everything else the Bible says about Him,
about who we are, and about how we should relate
to Him. The phrase, heaven and earth indicates
totality and is in a sense the Hebrew way of
expressing what the Greeks communicated through
the term kosmos, the totality of the ordered
universe.
12
The Christian World View
Second, God as Creator of heaven and earth also
means that the totality of the cosmos belongs to
Him. In fact, one could say that at the very
core of cosmic harmony is the universal
acknowledgment that, since God is the only and
exclusive Creator, He is at the same time the
rightful owner. Within this world view, all
creatures are expected to perceive themselves and
their possessions as belonging to God, the
Creator.
13
The Christian World View
Third, God as the only Creator and Owner of the
universe has the exclusive right to receive honor
and glory from all of His creatures. He provides
meaning, orientation, and guidance to their
existence and they should respond to Him with
loving gratitude for their own existence and for
His blessings that constantly enrich their lives.
14
The Christian World View
Fourth, the blessing of Gods presence with us in
the midst of a world of sin and death reached its
most sublime expression in the life, work, and
death of Jesus Christ. In Him God came and dwelt
among us, assuring eternal redemption to those
who believe in Him. (John 33 316, 17)
15
For in six days the Lord made the heavens and
the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and
rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Exodus 2011 NKJV
16
All things were made through Him, and without
Him nothing was made that was made.
John 113 NKJV
17
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your
hand is power and might
In Your hand it is to make great.
And to give
strength to all.
1 Chron. 2912
18
Melchizedek referred to God as God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth. Gen. 1419
NKJV Abram gave him a tithe of all.
19
Rahab talks with the spies on the rooftop and
acknowledges Gods supremacy.
20
So before they lay down, she Rahab came up to
them on the roof, and said to the men I know
that the Lord has given you the land, that the
terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the
inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because
of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up
the water of the Red Sea for you when you came
out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings
of the Amorites who were on the other side of the
Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts
melted neither did there remain any more courage
in anyone because of you for the Lord your God,
He is God in heaven above and on earth
beneath. Joshua 28-11 NKJV
21

• Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said
  O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between
  the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the
  kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and
  earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear open
  Your eyes, O Lord, and see and hear the words of
  Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the
  living God. Truly the kings of Assyria have laid
  waste the nations and their lands and have cast
  their gods into the fire for they were not gods,
  but the work of mens hands wood and stone.
  Therefore they have destroyed them.

22

• Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us
  from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth
  may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.
  Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah,
  saying, Thus says the Lord God of Israel that
  which you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib
  king of Assyria I have heard.
• 2 Kings 1915-20 NKJV

23
One angel killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night.
(vs. 35)
24
David said, I will lift up mine eyes to the
hills from whence comes my help? My help comes
from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 1211, 2 NKJV
25
For behold I create new heavens and a new earth
and the former shall not be remembered or come to
mind. Isaiah 6517 NKJV
Nevertheless we, according to His promise look
for new heavens and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 313 NKJV
26
The Great Commission Then Jesus came and spoke to
them saying, All authority has been given to Me
in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew
2818-20 NKJV
27
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of
heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach
to those who dwell on the earth to every
nation, tribe, tongue and people saying with a
loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for
the hour of His judgment is come and worship Him
who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of
water. Revelation 146, 7 NKJV
28
The earth is the Lords, and all its fullness.
The world and those who dwell therein.
Ps. 241
29
If I were hungry, I would not tell you for the
world is Mine, and all its fullness. Ps. 5012
30
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise
thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my
people, that we should be able to offer so
willingly after this sort? for all things come of
thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
1 Chron. 2913, 14
31
The day is thine, the night also is thine thou
hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast
set all the borders of the earth thou hast made
summer and winter.
Ps. 741617
32
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even
from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Ps. 902
33
In light of Gods ownership, how should we order
our lives??? We must recognize that we brought
nothing into this world and we are taking nothing
out. We are simply stewards or managers of Gods
property.
34
In the satanic affliction of Job, after losing
his livestock, his servants, and his children,
Job stated Naked I came from my mother s womb,
and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave,
and the Lord has taken away blessed be the name
of the Lord. Job 121 NKJV
35

• Pauls counsel to young Timothy
• Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is
  certain we can carry nothing out.
• 1 Timothy 66, 7 NKJV

36
The Sermon on the Mount Jesus famous
mountainside sermon Matthew 5,6 and 7 At the
heart of this sermon are the principles regarding
money management.
37

• Jesus Counsel Regarding
• Storing Treasure
• Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
  where moth and rust destroy and where thieves
  break in and steal. Matthew 619 NKJV
• But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
  where neither moth nor rust destroys and where
  thieves do not break in and steal.
• Matthew 620 NKJV
• For where your treasure is, there your heart
  will be also. Matthew 621 NKJV

38
When the rich young ruler asked Jesus what he
must do to gain eternal life, Jesus said, go,
sell what you have and give to the poor, and you
will have treasure in heaven. (Matthew 19, Mark
10, Luke 18)
39

• Think About It
• Do you follow what Jesus taught about storing up
  treasure in heaven to the rich young ruler?
• When we help others,
• we store up treasure in heaven.

40

• With a brief overview of these texts,
• an amazing truth emerges
• Its true that you cant take it with you, but
  you can send it on ahead!

41
Every opportunity to help a brother in need, or
to aid the cause of God in the spread of the
truth, is a pearl that you can send beforehand,
and deposit in the bank of heaven for safe
keeping. God is testing and proving you. He has
been giving His blessings to you with a lavish
hand, and is now watching to see what use you are
making of them, to see if you will help those who
need help, and if you will feel the worth of
souls, and do what you can with the means that He
has entrusted to you. Every such opportunity
improved adds to your heavenly treasure.-- Testimo
nies, vol. 3, pp. 249, 250.
42
When Christ's followers give back to the Lord
His own, they are accumulating treasure which
will be given to them when they shall hear the
words, Well done, good and faithful servant .
. . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The
Desire of Ages, p. 523
43

• Money has great value, because it can do great
  good. In the hands of God's children it is food
  for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and
  clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the
  oppressed, and a means of help to the sick.

But money is of no more value than sand, only as
it is put to use in providing for the necessities
of life, in blessing others, and advancing the
cause of Christ.
(COL 351)
44
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45

God has made the proclamation of the gospel
dependent upon the labors and the gifts of His
people. Voluntary offerings and the tithe
constitute the revenue of the Lord's work. Of the
means entrusted to man, God claims a certain
portion,--the tenth. He leaves all free to say
whether or not they will give more than this.
-- AA 74
46

• The Tithe Principle

47

• The tithe is holy and belongs to God.
• Lev. 2730 All the tithe of the landis the
  Lords. It is holy to the Lord.

48

• God asks me to return the tithe to the
  storehouse.
• Mal. 310 Bring all the tithes into the
  storehouse.
• Deut. 125, 6 But you shall seek the place
  where the Lord your God choosesThere you shall
  take your tithes.
• Num. 1821 I have given the children of Levi
  all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in
  exchange for the work which they perform, the
  work of the tabernacle of meeting.

49

• God has promised blessings to those who obey.
• Deut. 281, 2 If you diligently obey the
  voice of the Lord your God, to observe
  carefully all His commandmentsall these
  blessings shall come on you and overtake you.
• Prov. 39, 10 Honor the Lord with your
  possessions, and with the firstfruits of all
  your increase so your barns will be filled with
  plenty, and your vats will overflow with new
  wine.
• Mal. 310 Prove me now in this says the Lord
  of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows
  of heaven and pour out for you such blessing
  that there will not be room enough to receive
  it.

50
Tithing in the New Testament

• The New Testament does not reenact the law of
  the tithe, as it does not that of the Sabbath
  for the validity of both is assumed, and their
  deep spiritual import explained. . . . While we
  as a people are seeking faithfully to give to God
  the time which He has reserved as His own, shall
  we not also render to Him that portion of our
  means which He claims? (Counsels on Stewardship,
  p. 66)

51
Jesus Endorsed Tithing

• In Jesus lengthy condemnation of the Pharisees
  (Matthew 2313-36), He noted that they were
  meticulous about tithing even to the point of
  tithing small portions of herbs. He did not,
  however, criticize this practice but rather
  stated, These you ought to have done, without
  leaving the others undone (the weightier matters
  of justice, mercy, and faith) (vs. 23). It is
  clear from this passage that Jesus felt tithing
  was appropriate and right.

52

• In Lukes account, Jesus has accepted the
  invitation of a Pharisee for dinner. The
  Pharisee noted that Jesus had not washed His
  hands before eating. Jesus responded that the
  Pharisees were clean on the outside but on the
  inside were very wicked. Then Jesus gave a
  series of woes on the Pharisees. In one He
  stated, But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe
  mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by
  justice and the love of God. Then He added,
  These you ought to have done, without leaving
  the others undone (Luke 1142). It is
  interesting that in Jesus litany of woes on the
  Pharisees He commended them for their tithing.
  Jesus never rejected tithing, but rather
  condemned its misuse.

53
Pauls Support of Tithing

• Paul does not mention tithing in his epistles.
  However, he addressed the issue of providing for
  those who preach the gospel in an obvious
  reference to the Old Testament practice as
  outlined by God in Numbers 1821. Paul stated,
  Do you not know that those who minister the holy
  things eat of the things of the temple, and those
  who serve at the altar partake of the offerings
  of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded
  that those who preach the gospel should live from
  the gospel (1 Corinthians 913,14). He also
  asks in Romans 1015, How shall they preach
  unless they are sent? There must be some
  mechanism for the support of the ministry.

54

• Paul was obviously referring to the Old Testament
  tithing system. He drew a parallel between
  priests and Levites and those who were
  proclaiming the gospel. The point he argued is
  that the gospel workers should be provided with
  their living in the same way as was done in the
  priestly system. What was particularly important
  was that this was described as a direct command
  to the church from the Lord Himself. Thus, Paul
  implicitly endorsed Christian tithing.

55
The First and the Last

• It is interesting to note that in the Bibles
  first mention of tithing we find Abram giving his
  tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most
  High (Genesis 1418-20). And the last mention
  of tithing in the Bible in Hebrews chapter seven,
  mentions this experience and reviews the Hebrews
  tithe to the Levites, and then brings in Christ
  as A priest forever after the order of
  Melchizedek (Hebrews 56) as a better system.

56

• In this longest discussion of tithing in the New
  Testament (Hebrews 71-10), the author of Hebrews
  is analyzing the encounter between Abram and
  Melchizedek, and making certain significant
  theological points in his argument. The fact
  that Abram returned his tithe to Melchizedek is
  taken as clear evidence of the superiority of the
  priesthood of Melchizedek over the Aaronic one.
  This passage presupposes that tithing is a
  divinely-ordained practice. There is no
  rejection of tithing, but rather an implicit
  recognition of its value and significance.

57

• The New Testament shows a conformity with the Old
  Testament principle of returning to God a tenth
  of everything we earn and reminds us of its
  purpose and significance.

58
An Honest Tithe 3 Elements

• 1. Percent or Portion one tenth (10)
• Gen 1420 2822
• 2. Place to return it Gods storehouse
• Mal 310 Ps. 11614,18,19
• 3. Purpose the support of gospel workers
  Numbers 1821 1 Cor 914

59

• Early History

60
After leaving Egypt, and during the wilderness
wandering, there was no problem with getting to
the sanctuary for worship and bringing tithes and
offerings. The tribes were all camped around the
tabernacle in a specified order.
61
But things would be very different once they
occupied the Promised Land. Each tribe would
then be in its own designated territory and
have its own cities. Its
interesting that even though the Levites were
given 48 cities scattered throughout Canaan,
including the 6 cities of refuge, that God still
required the tithe to be brought to the central
storehouse.
62
Just before Moses died, he gathered all Israel
together and gave them three sermons or public
presentations. They are recorded for us in the
Bible as the book of
Deuteronomy. He stated that even though they
were to be settled and scattered all over Canaan,
three times a year they were to assemble at the
Lords house for praise, worship and the delivery
of their tithes and offerings.
63
But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the
land which the Lord your God giveth you to
inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all
your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in
safety
64

• Then there shall be a place which the Lord your
  God shall choose to cause his name to dwell
  there thither shall ye bring all that I command
  you your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices,
  your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand,
  and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the
  Lord.
• Deuteronomy 1210, 11

65
Three times thou shalt keep a feast
unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast
of unleavened bread thou shalt eat unleavened
bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the
time appointed of the month Abib for in it thou
camest out from Egypt and none shall appear
before me empty
66

• And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy
  labours, which thou hast sown in the field and
  the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of
  the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours
  out of the field. Three times in the year all
  thy males shall appear before the Lord God.
• Exodus 2314-17

67
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy
seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in
the place which he shall choose to place his name
there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of
thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of
thy flocks that thou mayest learn to fear the
Lord thy God always. Deut. 1422, 23
68
And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou
art not able to carry it or if the place be too
far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall
choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy
God hath blessed thee Then shalt thou turn it
into money, and bind up the money in thine hand,
and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy
God shall choose Deut. 1424, 25
69
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within
any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth
thee But at the place which the Lord thy God
shall choose to place his name in, there thou
shalt sacrifice the passover at even
Deut. 165,6
70
And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto
the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill
offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give
unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord
thy God hath blessed thee
Deut. 1610
71
Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles
seven days Deut 1613
72
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear
before the Lord thy God in the place which he
shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread,
and in the feast
of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles and
they shall not appear before the Lord
empty Deut. 1616
73
Every man shall give as he is able, according to
the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath
given thee. Deut. 1617
74

• God Would Protect
• Their Land

75

• 3 Annual Worship Assemblies of Israel at
  the Sanctuary (Exodus 2314-16)
• SHILOH (temporarily) place of gatherings
• JERUSALEM center of nations worship tribes
  convened for solemn feasts

76

• Gods Protection
• For I will cast out the nations before thee, and
  enlarge thy borders neither shall any man desire
  thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before
  the Lord thy God thrice in the year.
• Exodus 3424

77

• Central Storehouse Established before Entrance
  Into Canaan

78
The conquest of Jericho

• But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of
  brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord
  they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
  Joshua 619-24

79

• And they burnt the city with fire, and all that
  was therein only the silver, and the gold, and
  the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into
  the treasury of the house of the Lord.
  Joshua 624

80

• So they and their children had the oversight of
  the gates of the house of the Lord, namely, the
  house of the tabernacle, by wards

For these Levites, the four chief porters, were
in their set office, and were over the chambers
and treasuries of the house of God. And they
lodged round about the house of God, because the
charge was upon them, and the opening thereof
every morning pertained to them. 1
Chron. 923-27
81

• Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of
  the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the
  treasuries thereof, and the pattern of all

that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the
house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round
about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and
of the treasuries of the dedicated things.
1 Chron. 2811,12
82
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at
the feast of the passover. And when he was
twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after
the custom of the feast. Luke 240-43
83
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and
beheld how the people cast money into the
treasury Mark 1241
84

• Anciently the Lord instructed His people to
• assemble three times a year for His worship.
• To these holy convocations the children of
• Israel came, bringing to the house of God
• their tithes, their sin offerings, and their
• offerings of gratitude.
• 6T 39

85

• The annual feasts were a time of
• fellowship, education, and worship.
• Psalm 1221,2 I was glad
• Psalm 11618,19 I will pay my vows
• Malachi 310 Bring allto the storehouse

86

• Conclusion

87

• The Bottom Line 4 Important Facts

1. Israel gave at least one-fourth of their
income to God in the form of tithes, thank
offerings, support of the temple, and gifts to
the poor.
2. Most of these donations were personally
delivered by each family, in-kind or in cash
equivalents, to the central storehouse first at
Shiloh and then Jerusalem.
88

• The Bottom Line 4 Important Facts

3. This personal delivery system required being
away from home and work at least one month each
year.
4. The 25 giving and the one month away from
home were actually the basis for their prosperity
and blessing and they knew it!
89

• The contributions required of the Hebrews for
  religious and charitable purposes amounted to
  fully one fourth of their income. So heavy a tax
  upon the resources of the people might be
  expected to reduce them to poverty but, on the
  contrary, the faithful observance of these
  regulations was one of the conditions of their
  prosperity.
  PP 527

90

• Anciently God commanded his people to assemble
  three times a year, and from every city from Dan
  to Beersheba the people came to these annual
  feasts. The one at the commencement of the season
  was to entreat God's blessing upon their
  families, their lands, their flocks, and their
  herds. The one at the close of harvest was the
  crowning festal gathering, to bring their
  offerings to God. RH, July 10, 1879

91

• By thus assembling and bringing their tithes
  into the treasury, they ever acknowledged the
  Lord to be the giver of all their blessings. The
  children of Israel are our ensamples, that while
  we should imitate their faithfulness and virtues,
  we should shun those sins which brought the
  displeasure of God upon them.
• --RH, July 10, 1879

92

• Accordingly, in harmony with this Bible
  principle, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
  organization has designated the local conference
  as the storehouse to which the tithe should be
  returned and from which the gospel ministry would
  receive their salaries. In addition, the local
  conference gives support to the furtherance of
  the gospel in all the world.

93

• For the convenience of the church members and as
  part of their worship experience, the tithe is
  returned through the local church where
  membership is held and the local treasurer
  forwards all the tithe to the conference
  storehouse from which the religious workers are
  paid. This system, outlined by God, has enabled
  His church to have a world-wide and ever growing
  impact in the world.

94

• Developing a Vision Casting Local Church Budget
• While many pastors struggle with financial
  survival in their churches, real success comes
  from
• teaching stewardship
• strategic planning
• lay buy in
• How do we do it?

95

• Budget Responsibility?
• Pastor or Budget Committee?
• BOTH!!!!!!!

96

• Seven Secrets of
• Successful Budget Building
• Which Must Be Implemented by
• the Senior Pastor

97

• Pastoral Secret 1
• Senior Pastor Pastoral Staff
• Resolve Stewardship Issues Personally
• Example Leadership
• Build Confidence in Pastoral Leadership

98

• Pastoral Secret 2
• Believe in the importance
• of stewardship teaching
• and training of your people!
• Who will set your peoples
• value systems?

99

• Pastoral Secret 3
• Regularly teach and preach stewardship truths,
  principles, and way of life!
• Stewardship of Time, Talents, and Treasure
• A good steward will also be a good giver.
• But a good giver is not necessarily a good
  steward.
• We are stewards first, and then givers because we
  are good stewards!

100

• Pastoral Secret 4
• Provide Various Stewardship Resources
• Seminars Workshops
• -Debt Retirement
• -Stewardship Bible Study Classes
• -Career Counseling
• -Discovering and Using Your Gifts
• -Estate Planning
• Opportunities for Service
• Leadership Development
• Use Life Death in the Light of Eternal Values

101

• Pastoral Secret 5
• Provide Examples of Good Stewardship
• Select Your Heroes Well!!!
• Those we praise and thank are considered to be
  our heroes, and will cause others to want to
  serve in the same areas!
• Ministry or Kitchen?

102

• Pastoral Secret 6
• Cast the Vision of the Church
• Model It
• Often - Every 30 to 45 Days
• Develop It Specificly
• Expound Upon It Regularly
• Let Every Person Own It
• The mission of the _____ Adventist Church is to
  glorify God by reaching the lost and growing the
  found through the life-changing truth of Jesus
  Christ and His soon coming!

103

• Pastoral Secret 7
• Guide the Budget Development Process
• Make sure the process is one that fits the
  personality of your church
• Make sure it has credibility factors built-in
• Make sure it is consistent with your churchs
  vision and values
• You get much more from what you inspect than what
  you expect!

104

• When your people own the vision of the church,
  they will give to support its mission.
• People will support what they believe in no
  matter the cost.

105

• Process Step L
• Keep In Mind
• Different generations give for different reasons
• People find significance in giving for something
  of eternal value
• Use the budget process to clarify and involve
  your people in the churchs mission and vision
• This will help grow your people in their personal
  commitment to stewardship principles and practice
• This will involve your people in the support of
  your churchs ministry objectives

106

• Your congregation will enjoy building the Kingdom
  when they know it is both
• worthy and effective!

107
The Problem The majority of professed
Christians part with their means with great
reluctance. Many of them do not give one
twentieth of their income to God, and many give
far less than that while there is a large class
who rob God of the little tithe, and others who
will give only the tithe. Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 4, p. 474
108
The Possibilities If all the tithes of our
people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as
they should, such blessings would be received
that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes
would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel
between God and man would be kept
open. Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 474
109

• The Plan of Action
• The followers of Christ should
• not wait for thrilling missionary appeals to
  arouse them to action. If spiritually awake, they
  would hear in the income of every week, whether
  much or little, the voice of God and of
  conscience with authority demanding the tithes
  and offerings due the Lord.
  
• Testimonies for the Church,
• vol. 4, p. 474

110

• The way you manage your money has a
• great deal to do with
• Your personal happiness.
• Your stress level.
• The quality of your family life.
• The stability of your marriage.
• Success in your career.
• And your eternal life.

111

• It would NOT take a genius to figure out that
  the devil would like to see everyone of these
  areas of your life messed up. And in many cases
  he has been quite successful at this!

112

• You must either live within your income or your
  creditors will eat you alive!
• He who rides a tiger cannot dismount.
• From a financial perspective, that tiger is
  debt. Debt and its resulting bankruptcy have
  drastically changed the American financial
  picture.

113

• 3 main reasons why people have money problems
• and likely in the following order in frequency

114
1. Ignorance many people/couples
are financially illiterate. They were
simply never taught the Biblical principles of
money management. There is hope for these
people!!! But you dont learn this at the
Seminary.
115
2. Greed and Selfishness they live beyond
their means. They are not willing to live in,
drive, or wear what they can really afford. Many
of these people also feel they are just too poor
to tithe. Consequently, they live their lives
without Gods promised wisdom and blessing.
(Prov. 35-9)
116

• An Unfortunate Tragedy
• -a serious illness without adequate insurance
• -being abandoned by a spendthrift marriage
  partner
• -a natural disaster
• -a major financial loss not of your own doing

117
Seven Biblical Principles of Faithful
Stewardship and Money Management
118

• God is Owner of everything.
• Psalm 241
• Psalm 5012
• 1 Chronicles 2913, 14

119
2. We are managers of what God has given us.
1 Timothy 67 Matthew
2514 1 Corinthians 41, 2
120

• Our purpose in life is to glorify God.
• 1 Corinthians 1031
• Matthew 516

121

• Prosperity is having what you need when you need
  it.
• Philippians 419
• Matthew 2820
• Isaiah 263

122

• Debt is bad.
• Proverbs 227
• Deuteronomy 2815-68
• Romans 138
• Psalm 3721

123

• The Tithe is the minimum testimony of our
  Christian commitment.
• Genesis 1420
• Genesis 2820-22
• Malachi 36-10

124

• We must all give an account to God of our
  stewardship.
• Matthew 2519
• 2 Corinthians 510
• Revelation 2212

125
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and
on earthGo therefore Matthew 28 18,19 I am
with you always, even to the end of the age. vs.
20
126
He was standing but a step from His heavenly
home. He was now the risen Savior. These words
were the announcement that His sacrifice in
behalf of man was full and complete.
127
The conditions of the atonement had been
fulfilled. The work for which He came to this
world had been accomplished. He had won the
kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan and had
become the Heir of all things.
128
The Creator of heaven and earth had demonstrated
the power of love. And now clothed with boundless
authority He gives the command, Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the
129
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things
that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.
-- Matthew 2819,20 Then a cloud received Him out
of their sight.
130
My goal as a committed Christian is to take what
God has given me in time, talents, body temple,
and my treasure, and trade with it until He comes
with the perspective of bringing profit to His
kingdom.
131
www.adventiststewardship.org
132
This same Jesus will so come Acts
111
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