In this series of teaching on stewardship, John Cole revised and taught from a published course made available without copyright by local church pastors shared for churches like ours. Read the handout notes here...

Christians live with a giving mindset. Our God gives, and so do we. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive, and we are to live with faith that His words are true.

"Give me neither poverty nor wealth."

Proverbs 30:8–9 Remove far from me vanity and lies: Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, And say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And take the name of my God in vain.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Money is a wonderful tool and a terrible master.

1. Everything you have belongs to God.

2. God has made you a steward of all that you have.

3. Hoarding is spiritually damaging.

4. Spend, save, and give everything to the glory of God.

How much should I spend?

First, ask: "What lifestyle has God called me to?"

- A lifestyle can determine a set of needs that exceed our income.

- Our perceived needs tend to rise with our income.

So . . . how do you choose a lifestyle ?

1. Lifestyle is often defined in big pieces—but can slide incrementally over time.=

2. Time and money are interchangeable.

3. Flexibility is a virtue.

James 4:13–17 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

4. Keep the long view in mind.

5. Consider the weaker brother.

1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

6. Consider which opportunities seem unique to you.

Conclusion

Let’s master our money by how we make and spend it to the glory of God!