This has been a month of giving thanks for how God has blessed Faith, Oakville, MO with 75 years of history. We cannot Celebrate Faith without looking back and seeing how God has blessed Faith with increased impact and engagement in our community, city, country, and even in this world. Ministry and mission during these last 75 years would not have happened without the generosity of so many faithful folks who have taken steps to give of their financial resources as the Lord has blessed them.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

OUTLINE:

Understanding “Stewardship”

Whose am I?

Or do you not know… you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Who owns my stuff?

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. (Psalm 24:1 NLT)

Understanding the “Firsts”

God First

You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

Firstfruits and Firstborn

Consecrate to Me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is Mine. (Exodus 13:2)

You shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the LORD'S. Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. (Exodus 13:12-13)

Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9–10)

First of the Week

Offering God On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:2)

For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)