1.    Give Faithfully -What we do with our money shows what we value most

 

A.   Tithe    Mal 3: 8-11; Prov 3:9-10

                   Originally tithe was given every year to be shared by priest & Levites for                           service and every 3^rd year to be divided by foreigners, Levites, orphans, and widows

 

                   Lev. 27:30-33

                       

                   Deut. 14:22-23

           

                        Num. 18:26-28

 

                        I Tim. 5:17-18

 

                        Philip 4:18-19

 

Tithe should only be given out of gratitude & generosity:

             (Mt.23:23,Lk 11:42, 18:12; Mk 12: 41-44)

                       

Tithe shows our reverence and dependence on God

            (Lk.6:38,Phil 4:19);

 

Tithing should be an offering:

 

I Cor. 9:14 –  Those who are benefited by preaching should support that

 

Gal 6:6 –If you were taught & benefited than “share material in all good things”

 

I Cor  16:18- “They have refreshed my spirit”  Helped in many ways to encourage

                  

 

 

              B. Give offerings  I Cor. 16:1-3; II Cor. 9:6-8
(Overview of Chapters 8 & 9)                                                                                                                                

 

                   Hebrews 13:16  “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. “                       

 

 

 

 

 

 3.  Being a Good Steward – God holds us each responsible for how we

            manage what is entrusted to us.  Romans 14:12

 

            Stewardship:  “one who manages another’s property”

                        -We are stewards of God’s property

                        - He can choose to entrust us with as much or as little as He desires

 

“Debt is when someone has delinquent financial obligations: therefore, money borrowed & repaid according to the agreement is not a debt, but an obligation”.

Larry Burkett-How to Manage Your Money

 

         

A.     Matt. 25:14-30 (parable of talents)

1.      faithful servents rewarded

2.      not all were asked to earn same

 

B.     Lk 12:25-34  “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?

 

            C.  Lk. 12:15 Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't                                   have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."

 

D.    I Tim. 5:8 “But those who won't care for their own relatives, especially                                 those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers. “

 

E. Budget Worksheets

 

F.      Simple Ways to Save Money 

1.      Groceries

            -Use coupons & sale items

            -plan meals ahead for that week

 

 

2.      Buy at end of season-plan shopping days

                                    -clothes

                                    -decorations

                                    -gifts

 

3.      Make your trips to town less frequent-plan ahead

            -errands

            -appointments

            -grocery shopping

            -visitations

 

4.  Eat out less-plan in budget

            -should be more of luxury than necessity

            -order water as beverage

            -if smaller children/ let them share yours

            -go at earlier hour-usually same menu-less money

 

5.      If children are in extra curricular activites-plan ahead

            -practice night-do some shopping

            - buy drinks/snacks ahead –not at game

            -figure weekly expense of gas & fees in budget

 

6.      Find discounts-everything doesn’t have to be brand new

            -yard sales

            -heart & hand

            -discount furniture-moving sales

 

7.      Be wise about investments

            -Is it smarter to buy house or car?

            -shop around

            -buy property that will be an asset not a depreciation