BECOMING BETTER STEWARDS OF OUR FINANCES

1 Corinthians 16:1-2  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

2 Corinthians 9:7  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

INTRODUCTION


THERE WAS A  CHURCH THAT  PRACTICED WHAT  IS CALLED "RESPONSIVE PRAYING". SOMEONE IN THE CONGREGATION WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY  RESPOND TO EACH  PRAYER  REQUEST MADE  IN  PUBLIC. ONE SUNDAY THE PASTOR WAS PREACHING  ON THE TOPIC OF THE  JUDGMENT DAY. AS USUAL,  THE CHURCH TREASURER WAS  ASLEEP ON  THE FRONT ROW. AS THE PASTOR CONCLUDED HIS  MESSAGE HE BEGAN TO PRAY, "DEAR  LORD, ONE  OF THESE DAYS WE ARE GOING TO MAKE  UP, AND ITS  GOING TO BE  DARK EVERYWHERE!"  "LORD, HELP  US'" SOMEONE SHOUTED.  ABOUT THAT TIME  THE TREASURER WOKE UP.  THE PASTOR  CONTINUED, "AND WE ARE GOING TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL HONG  KONG. AND THEY  ARE GOING TO SAY THAT IT IS DARK THERE. "LORD,  HAVE  MERCY!"  SHOUTED SOMEONE  ELSE. "WE'RE GOING  TO PICK  UP THE PHONE  AND CALL HONOLULU, AND  THEY ARE GOING TO  SAY THAT IT IS DARK  THERE."  THE PREACHER  SAID.  "LORD, DELIVER US'."  SHOUTED ANOTHER PERSON. "THEN WE ARE  GOING TO PICK  UP THE PHONE  AND CALL PARIS, AND THEY ARE  GOING TO SAY THAT  IT IS DARK  THERE."  "YES,  LORD,  YES I"  SHOUTED ANOTHER PERSON. "THEN WE ARE  GOING TO CALL MOSCOW. AND THEY  ARE GOING TO SAY THAT IT IS 'DARK  THERE." FINALLY THE  CHURCH TREASURER COULDN’T HOLD  BACK  ANY  LONGER  AND  SHOUTED, "LORD, LORD, WHAT A PHONE BILL!"

THIS  MORNING OUR  TEXT IS  FOUND IN  1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 AND 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7; AND THE TITLE OF MY  MESSAGE IS, "STEWARDS OF OUR FINANCES."

MANY PEOPLE  DO NOT WANT TO HEAR  THIS TOPIC SPOKEN WITHIN THE CHURCH.  THEY THINK THAT IT SHOULDN’T BE TAUGHT OR PREACHED.  YET, WITHIN  THE NEW  TESTAMENT, ONE OUT OF EVER TEN VERSES DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE SUBJECT OF MONEY.

THEREFORE, A BALANCED CHURCH SHOULD TEACH AND PREACH ON THIS TOPIC AT LEAST 10'/. OF THE TIME.

MARTIN  LUTHER  ONCE SAID,  "THERE  ARE THREE CONVERSIONS  THAT TAKE  PLACE IN  A CHILD  OF GOD'S LIFE.  THE CONVERSION OF THE HEART, THE MIND AND THE PURSE."

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER EIGHT WAYS WE CAN ALL BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF OUR FINANCES.