Stewardship is not just an investment of time, talent, and treasure in the kingdom of God, but an investment of self.

Jesus talked much about money. 16 of the 38 parables He taught were concerned with how to handle money & possessions. In the Gospels, an amazing 1 out of 10 verses (288 in all) deal directly with the subject of money. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2000 verses on money & possessions.

Martin Luther astutely observed, “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind, and the purse.” Of these three, it may well be that we modern people find the conversion of the purse the most difficult.

A mature Christian has experienced that conversion and has become a good steward. Stewardship is the proper management of my life in order to enhance God’s kingdom.

Practicing stewardship enables people to…
* Find their spiritual gifts – 1 Corinthians 12
* Increase their faith – Malachi 3:10
* Become spiritually sensitive – Malachi 3:8-10
* Be fruitful in God’s kingdom – Matthew 25:14-30
* Receive blessings from God – Malachi 3:10-12
* Be a blessing to others – Galatians 6:10
* Make a lasting contribution to God – Matthew 6:20

There is one inlet of power in the life — anybody’s life — any kind of power, just one inlet — the Holy Spirit. He is power. There are 5 outlets of power; 5 avenues through which this One within shows Himself and reveals His power.
Through our Life – What we are.
Through our Lips – What we say.
Through our Ministry – What we Do.
Through our Money – What we Give.
Through our Prayer – What we claim in Jesus’ name.

My Time With God
Preparation Time
Who is #1 in my life? If God is, doesn’t He deserve the first of everything I have…including my finances?

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase.” (Proverbs 3:9) This means that giving should take first priority over all other uses.

“On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

Prepare yourself for this time with God by committing your finances to Him.

Waiting Time
“Whatever you have received more than others — in health, in talents, in ability, in success, in a pleasant childhood, in harmonious condition of home life — all this you must not take to yourself as a matter of course. In gratitude for your good fortune, you must render some sacrifice of your own life for another life.” (Dr. Albert Schweitzer)

My indebtedness is three-fold:
To God
To the last generation
To the next generation

Write down the ways you are indebted to…
God:

The Last Generation:

The Next Generation:

Confession Time
Confess areas in which you have failed to put God first.

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

Read Malachi 3:7-12 slowly a couple of times.
Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
Pray the Scripture & allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself
How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “Little Things”
Be Honest With God
Pray “Thy Will be done”
Prayer Requests:

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in my Obedience to God:

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through the eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time
Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – (Luke 6:38)

This Week’s Time Alone With God
Monday – This Lesson
Tuesday – Begin to live the “river principle” – Our life is to be like a river, not a reservoir. God will give to us what he knows will flow through us.
Wednesday – Begin to live the “cheerful attitude” principle – Stewardship begins with loving not giving. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says that our giving should be done…“Not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Thursday – Begin to live the “who has who” principle – Until God is in control of my life, I’m out of control. Stewardship deals with the PERSON, not just the PURSE.
Friday – Figure out your tithe, write it out to your church, and place it in the offering plate this Sunday at church.