Compassion & Stewardship

Posted on September 17, 2006

 

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Acts 2:42-47

We’ve been in a series of messages about the basics of the Christian life and of having a healthy, growing church. We’ve been “showing up and growing up” throughout the month of September. We’ve taken the word “basics” and turned it into an acrostic. Thus far we’ve talked about Bible Study, Adoration, Sharing Christ, and Intercession. Today, we’re going to conclude this three-part series by looking at the final two basics of growth and they are Compassion and Stewardship.

People who make a difference are compassionate toward others and are good stewards of the resources God has given them.

I.             Compassion – Caring enough to act.

                Two aspects of compassion for a growing church…

                A.            Helping the hurting within the church. (Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:2)

                B.            Showing kindness to those outside the church. (Titus 3:3-4)

II.            Stewardship – Honoring God with your money.

We’re going to talk about a touchy subject today, but it’s really just a practical subject – money. We’re going to discuss the spiritual aspects of it. You know, one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life has to do with giving up some of our money for the Kingdom’s sake.

A.W. Tozer wrote:

There is a disease, which is particularly virulent in this part of the twentieth century. It is called cirrhosis of the giver. It was actually discovered about 34 A.D. and ran a terminal course in a couple named Annanias and Sapphira . It is an acute condition, which renders the patient’s hand immobile, when it attempts to move from the billfold to the offering plate. The remedy is to remove the afflicted from the house of God, since it is clinically observable that this condition disappears in alternate environments such as golf courses, or clubs, or restaurants.

                Biblical principles of handling money…

                A.            All the wealth in the universe belongs to God.

                B.            God allows us to manage some of His wealth. (Luke 19)

                C.            God allows us to invest into the Kingdom.

                D.            God asks for the firstfruits, not the leftovers. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

                E.            God proves Himself by blessing us when we tithe faithfully. (Malachi 3:10)

Where there is not proper stewardship, there is a lack of compassion, for compassion for the lost will compel us to give whatever it takes to reach every last one until Jesus comes again! What are you holding back from Jesus today?