THE CONTRIBUTION
A. LIFE IS A STEWARDSHIP.
1. We own nothing. That which is ours belongs to God.
2. Giving is the discharge of a stewardship.
B. STEWARDSHIP - THE ACTIVE MANAGING OR DISBURSING OF THAT WHICH
BELONGS TO ANOTHER FOR HIS BENEFIT.
C. WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE OUR POSSESSIONS AS A SACRED TRUST FROM GOD.
A. HEAVEN & EARTH ARE HIS ( Gen. 14:19; Deut. 10:14; Psa. 24:1; 89:11 ).
BY VIRTUE OF HIS CREATION ( Gen. 1:1 ).
B. ISRAEL WAS THE STEWARD OF THE LORD'S LAND( Lev. 25:23 ).
C. EVERY BEAST BELONGS TO GOD ( Psa. 50:10-12 ).
D. ALL THE EARTH'S RICHES ( Hag. 2:8 ).
E. ALL POLITICAL POWER ( Rom. 13:1; Acts 17:26; John 19:10-11 ).
F. EVEN OUR SOULS ARE HIS ( Ez. 18:4; 1 Cor. 6:19-20 ).
A. JESUS STRESSED THE PRINCIPLE OF GOD'S OWNERSHIP AND OUR
STEWARDSHIP IN HIS TEACHINGS. Talents, unjust stewardship, husbandman.
B. PAUL RECOGNIZED HIS MINISTRY AS A STEWARDSHIP ( 1 Cor. 4:1-2 ).
C. PETER TAUGHT ALL BLESSINGS AS A TRUST ( 1 Pet. 4:10-11 ).
D. GIVING THEREFORE, IS THE DISCHARGE OF A STEWARDSHIP.
A. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A GRACE ( 8:1-7 ), NOT MANDATORY TITHING.
B. IT IS A FELLOWSHIP ( vs. 4 ). PARTICIPATION WITH THE LORD.
C. PROOF OF LOVE ( vs. 8-9; 1 John 3:16-18 ).
D. A MEANS OF PROVIDING FOR EQUALITY ( 8:12-15 ) VOLUNTARY ( vs. 12 ).
E. PURPOSED & FOREDETERMINED TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE WORK
( 9:1-5 ).
A. PERIODICALLY - Upon the first day of the week( 1 Cor. 16:1-2 ).
B. PERSONALLY - Let each one of you ( 1 Cor. 16:2; Rom. 14:12 ).
C. PROVIDENTIALLY - Lay by in store.
D. PROPORTIONALLY - As he may prosper.
E. PREVENTATIVE - No collection be made when I come.
F. PURPOSEFULLY ( 2 Cor. 9:7 ).
G. CHEERFULLY ( 2 Cor. 9:7 ).
H. WITH LIBERALITY ( Rom. 12:8 ).
I. CONFIDENT ( 1 Tim. 6:18-19; Acts 20:35 ).
A. A LIVING SACRIFICE ( Rom. 12:1 ).
1. The example of Paul ( Gal. 2:20 ).
2. The apostles ( Mat. 19:27 ).
B. A SACRIFICE OF WILLS ( Heb. 5:8-9 ).
C. FAITHFUL WITH WHAT THE LORD HAS ENTRUSTED TO US ( 1 Cor. 4:1-4 ).