MONEY AND STEWARDSHIP

How we handle money reveals much about the depth of our commitment to Christ. That's why Jesus often talked about money. One-sixth of the gospel, including one out of every three parables, touches on stewardship. Jesus wasn't a fundraiser. He dealt with money matters because money matters. There are two ways in which a Christian may view his money--"How much of my money shall I use for God?" or "How much of God's money shall I use for myself?

Matthew 25:26-28 (New International Version)
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
We are all very familiar with the story of the talents. A man who was going on a long journey calls his slaves and gives them his possessions. To one he gives 5 talents to another he gives two and to another he gives one talent each according to his ability.
It is important to note two things here: The fist thing is that we have no say over where we begin, that’s up to the master, He decides what to give to who but the important thing is that each person gets something.
Secondly everyone begins on a level playing ground because each is given according to their ability, no more and no less. It is also important to note that the master does not tell the slaves what to do with the talent that is up to each slave.
The first two slaves go out and invest their money and they get double returns. The third one goes out digs a hole and hides all he has been given. Now there is nothing in this parable that says the first two slaves were saved and the third was not. Many times we believe that because we live a holy and godly life we will be blessed with finances. Let me burst your bubble, God will not reward you with lots of money and meet all your needs just because you are living a holy life.There are principles that govern how money is to be handled and they apply to us weather we are saved or not. The sad thing is that many Christians ignore this principles and we behave like the third slave. We don’t plan ahead, we don’t invest and we don’t save.
All we do is stand in faith. No wonder many of us are struggling to put food on our tables. Even the little that we have will be taken from us and given to him who has much.Yes we do not choose where we begin from but we determine where we end. The first two slaves took the risk and invested and God rewarded them with double the returns.Are you a good steward of that which God has blessed you with? If you are still struggling with putting food on the table and meeting your basic needs then there is something wrong with you and not God. He is the God of more than enough and like with the three slaves He may not tell you what to do with the talents

SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, INVEST OR DIG A HOLE?

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

God has given you something to begin with and where you end up is up to you. Learn the principles of handling money and begin to apply them in your life.
Stop digging holes and being ignorant

Through the bible in one year
Today’s reading
Deuteronomy 19-20
Psalm 89
Acts 12

Now this is the Living Bible:

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."

"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"

I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you as you go along your way....
His love is always with you, His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares, You know He will see us through.