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TRADEMARKS OF A MAN OF GOD SECTION 3 A MAN OF GOD IS A GOOD STEWARD OF GOD’S RESOURCES
SESSION 1 TRADEMARKS OF A MAN OF GOD - Being A Steward Study: Ecclesiastes, Psalm 90
Everything we have, are, and need comes from the hand of God, either directly or indirectly. Thus, everything we have belongs to God. We may have "earned " it with brain or brawn, but He gave us the ability and strength necessary to do so. (Psalm 24:1&2; Psalm 50:10-12) STEWARDSHIP AND STEWARDS Biblically, a steward is one who manages, administrates or cares for the property, money and affairs of another person. The three Greek words that underlie the concept deal with management, administration or oversight. In modern parlance, a steward is a business manager, trust officer or "agent" Biblical examples of stewards: The parable of the ten pounds in Luke 19:11-27) Eliezer (Genesis 15:2) Joseph, who filled that role, first in the household of Potiphar and later over the entire Egyptian nation. Facts about stewardship:
1. A steward cares for the property of another (and that is really his primary concern) 2. A steward doesn't own that with which he deals (the less he possesses of his own, the more likely
he is to focus on doing a good job with that which belongs to his employer) 3. A steward is expected to be profitable (he is not only expected to manage well; he is also
expected to "turn a profit" when possible and actually increase his employer's holdings) 4. A steward is always required to give an accounting (it may be at varied intervals, but there is
always the understanding that a steward must "open the books" for his employer) 5. A steward normally has considerable freedom (this is clearly seen in the freedom that Joseph had
both in Potiphar's 6. house and over the entire nation of Egypt) 7. A steward is normally amply rewarded for services (usually, the more successful the steward is,
the more amply he is rewarded) The believer as a steward In the light of the fact that everything the believer possesses (time, talent, money, etc.) belongs to God, it should be obvious that the believer is a steward. All of the above characteristics of the role of steward is easily applied to the believer The key requirement for the believer's stewardship is faithfulness (trustworthiness industry and integrity in the care of that which belongs to another, namely, God.)
Considerations regarding stewardship 1. What is a steward
2. Can you think of anything you have which does not, directly or indirectly, come from God?
3. To whom or what do many (most?) people look as their source?
4. Why are so many people unsatisfied so much of the time?
5. How should the concept of stewardship affect my thinking as to security, contentment and activity?
6. How does this affect the ways in which you handle time, talent, money, possessions, etc.?
7. In what ways are you seeking to be a profitable steward of your time right now?
CONCLUSION: We are not owners… We are stewards. Everything we have comes from - and belongs to - God. We are all stewards of all things that belong to God (I Corinthians 4:1; I Peter 4:10) We are all under obligation to function productively as stewards. We will give an accounting for our stewardship. We will be amply rewarded for good stewardship (we are already experiencing rewards)
SESSION ONE: DAY ONE
Luke 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 1
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
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2 Corinthians 1
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Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY TWO
Luke 2
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 2
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2 Cor 2
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY THREE
Luke 3
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
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Proverbs 3
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2 Cor 3
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY FOUR
Luke 4
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 4
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2 Cor 4
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SESSION ONE: DAY FIVE
Luke 5
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Proverbs 5
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2 Corintihians 5
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SESSION ONE: DAY SIX
Luke 6
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Proverbs 6
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2 Cor 6
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY SEVEN
Luke 7
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 7
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
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2 Corinthians 7
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SESSION ONE: DAY EIGHT
Luke 8
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Proverbs 8
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2 Cor 8
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY NINE
Luke 9
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Proverbs 9
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2 Corinthians 9
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY TEN
Luke 10
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Proverbs 10
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2 Cor 10
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY ELEVEN
Luke 11
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Proverbs 11
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2 Corinthians 11
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SESSION ONE: DAY TWELVE
Luke 12
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Proverbs 12
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2 Corinthians 12
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY THIRTEEN
Luke 13
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Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 13
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2 Corinthians 13
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY FOURTEEN
Luke 14
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 14
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Jude 1
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SECTION 3
Session 2 TRADEMARKS OF A MAN OF GOD - Being A Steward of Time
Time Management
There can be no mistake: we live in the age of instantaneity. We have instant coffee, instant replay,
instant polls and instant messaging – all designed to help us find instant gratification. There are
countless products designed to speed us up and help us save those precious milliseconds. For
example, you can read your email, browse the latest news headlines and check your stock portfolio
on your palm pilot while sitting in a drive-through ordering breakfast and barking orders to your
subordinates on your cell phone.
James Gleick explores our brave new world of “ever-growing urgency” in his book Faster: The
Acceleration of Just About Everything. His research on our 24/7 culture took him to air traffic control
centers, medical waiting rooms, film production studios and the atomic clocks of the Directorate of
Time. Gleick argues that the technology-driven Western world has produced a “multi-tasking,
channel-flipping, fast-forwarding species.” Interestingly, the more affluent you are, the more likely
you are to be anxious about time. Gleick notes that “sociologists in several countries have found that
increasing wealth and increasing education bring a sense of tension about time. We believe that we
possess too little of it; that is a myth we live by now.”1
In the 1960s, Time magazine reported that a subcommittee of the United States Senate was
assembled to discuss the topic of time management. Essentially, the best experts in the field were
concerned that with advances in technology the biggest problem by the end of the century would be
what people would do with all their free time. It was actually suggested that workers would have to
cut back on how many hours a week they worked, or how many weeks a year they worked, or else
they would have to start retiring sooner. The truth is that the average work week is now 47 hours –
up from 43 hours two decades ago. A recent Gallup Poll found that 44% of Americans consider
themselves workaholics.
What makes “hurry sickness” so contagious is that there is a kernel of truth in all of this. Time is
short. Life is brief. The Bible even says so. According to Moses, the years of our lives “quickly pass”
(Psalm 90:10). As we grow older, we look back and wonder where the time has gone. Each of us is
allotted a finite number of days, and the cry of our hearts is the same as Moses’; we pray that God
will “establish the work of our hands” (v. 17).
Moses on Time Management
By the time Moses wrote Psalm 90 he was evidently an old man and had come to realize how short
his time on earth would be. The psalm begins with a meditation on the eternality of God: “Before the
mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting
you are God” (v. 2). Moses, then, contrasts the God who is from everlasting to everlasting with the
transitory nature of humanity:
You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.” For a thousand years in your
sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the
sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning – though in the morning it springs up
new, by evening it is dry and withered.
vv. 3-6
Because the children of Israel refused to believe God’s promises, choosing instead to believe the
spies who said they could not conquer the land, Moses had seen his entire generation wander
aimlessly in the desert. For nearly 40 years, the Israelites had roamed, with no specific destination
in sight. An entire generation was sentenced to literally kill time by wandering in the wilderness. It
has been estimated that an average of almost 90 people a day died during those years until only
Moses, Joshua and Caleb remained to represent the generation that left Egypt.
Many of us experience this same dilemma, wandering in the wilderness of routine and overbooked
schedules as the years fly by. Our stay on this planet is shorter than we are inclined to think. It does
not require divine revelation to know that. As George Bernard Shaw put it, “The statistics on death
are impressive. One out of one dies.” Our lives are like sand castles, destined for impermanence.
At first glance, this may seem like a pessimistic and morbid way of viewing human life, but upon
further analysis, it turns out to be a realistic and hopeful approach. It is realistic because it is always
better to know things as they are than to believe things as they seem. It is hopeful because it
informs us that there is more to life than what we presently see. This perspective on time assures us
that what we long for is more than a dream – this world is not all there is.
The key to this dilemma is found in the pivotal verse of the psalm: “Teach us to number our days
aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Essentially, Moses says that, unless we
come to understand life’s brevity and place proper value on the time we have (no matter how long
or short it is) we will never gain a wise heart.
More than 300 years ago, François Fénelon, a 17th century cleric, understood how valuable time is.
He wrote:
Time is precious, but we do not know yet how precious it really is. We will only know when we are
no longer able to take advantage of it…. Liberal and generous in every way, God in the wise
economy of his providence teaches us how we should be prudent about the proper use of time. He
never gives us two moments at the same time. He never gives us a second moment without taking
away the first. And he never grants us that second moment without holding the third one in his
hand, leaving us completely uncertain as to whether we will have it.2
The great saints of old learned the wisdom of having only two days on their calendars: today and
that day (the day they would be with the Lord). If we want a heart of wisdom, we will learn to live
each day in light of that day. When we daily remind ourselves of the purpose for our sojourn here
on earth, we will cultivate an eternal perspective on time; and it will influence our work and all our
relationships.
The God of Time
God’s relationship to time is one of the great mysteries of the Bible. Peter tells us, “With the Lord a
day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). Peter seems to be
recalling Moses’ words: “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or
like a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). A watch lasted three hours. Imagine: a thousand years going
by like three hours! If a man’s life lasts roughly 70 years (cf. Psalm 90:10), and a thousand years is
like three hours, then our entire life would be reduced to 12 minutes and 36 seconds! On this scale,
our entire sojourn on this earth whizzes past in a blur. We’re born; we start school; we move away
for college; we get a job; we get married; we have children of our own; we have grandkids; we
retire; we die. And, yet, the Lord continues “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2).
Imagine a line of string that stretches across the room. Now take that line of string and extend it
through the walls and outside the building where you are sitting. Carry that line out as far as you
can see, in both directions, and allow it to disappear beyond the horizon. If you could take an
airplane and fly along that line of string in either direction, it would continue to stretch out in front
of you. The string would not simply wrap itself around the world, but it would reach beyond our
atmosphere, extending out into space, beyond our solar system, beyond our universe. The line is
never-ending.
Now, take a pen and make a scratch on this line of string – just one mark. That lone scratch is your
earthly life in the scope of eternity.3
From a strictly naturalistic perspective, this idea seems hopeless. We’re here today and gone
tomorrow. Our lives barely register as a blip on the eternal radar screen. Nothing so short can be
truly meaningful, can it? Certainly nothing so brief can sustain our deepest hopes and desires, which
is why it is so essential for us to place our hope in something that will endure rather than in the
fleeting pleasures of this passing world.
Peter indicates that the opposite is also true of God’s perspective on time. He tells us, “With the Lord
a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). From that
perspective, God has only waited two days since the day Jesus was born. God, literally, has all the
time in the world. He’s not in a hurry, nor is he taking his time. He is God, and he will do what he
will do when he wills to do it.
Taking this idea to its logical extension, an infinitesimal moment is like eternity and eternity is like
an infinitesimal moment. This is how God is able to communicate with all of his children and hear
the prayers we pray simultaneously. It is part of his ability to be omnipresent. God, being
everywhere at once, views all things as part of an eternal here and now. And, in each moment, he
has all the “time” he needs to provide for each of us the care he has promised. For him, there is no
beginning and no end, no before and no after, save in the way he chooses to communicate with us.
One of the many lessons we can learn from this concept is that God, in his sovereignty, has given
you enough time to accomplish his purposes for your life. His plan has been unfolding since the
beginning of what we call time. His call is for you to discover his plan for your life and act upon it.
Henry David Thoreau was correct; we cannot “kill time without injuring eternity.”
Everything in Its Season
The words found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 are familiar to people of all religious persuasions. People may
not be aware of the original source, however, or the profound sense of urgency the original writer
intended to convey. This well-known passage was popularized years ago in a song written by Bob
Dylan: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under…heaven” (v. 1, KJV).
The writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to list things that have their season:
…a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to
heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn
and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time
to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to
tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a
time for war and a time for peace.
vv. 2-8
Here we see how precious time is as a resource. However painful it may be, it is beneficial to come
to grips with the truth that we simply do not have sufficient time while on this planet to accomplish
all that our hearts desire to do and that we know we are capable of doing. So, how do we make the
most of our time here and now? The key is to cultivate a genuine heavenly-mindedness. C.S. Lewis
notes:
If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were
just those who thought most of the next. The apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of
the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English evangelicals who
abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied
with heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have
become so ineffective in this.4
People fixated on this world rarely speak and act with courage and conviction. They will never
accomplish truly great things in this life, because their lives lack the stability, substance and weight
of a person for whom the future holds greater promise than the past and present. As Fénelon said,
“Time is given to us to prepare for eternity.”5 We might say that the opposite is also true – eternity
is given to us to prepare us for time. We will fail to live out our time wisely if we fail to live it out in
light of eternity.
The opportunities and circumstances of this earth can never satisfy our deepest longings, because
God has “set eternity in [our] hearts” (v. 11). When we long for more than this world has to offer, we
are really longing for eternity. In our present state, time is like a torrential river that carries our
lives away. But in our eternal state, it will be more like a still and bottomless pool for our never-
ending enjoyment. A.W. Tozer put it so well in his devotional classic The Knowledge of the Holy:
The days of the years of our lives are few, and swifter than a weaver’s shuttle. Life is a short and
fevered rehearsal for a concert we cannot stay to give. Just when we appear to have attained some
proficiency we are forced to lay our instruments down. There is simply not time enough to think, to
become, to perform what the constitution of our nature indicates we are capable of.6
There is so much disappointment and dissatisfaction in our present world. But heaven will be
beautiful, creative activity and endless adventure without pain or fear or frustration. Here, trapped
as we are by space and time, we experience sorrow when loved ones die. We treasure the precious
moments we have together and savor them, if for no other reason than because they are rare and,
all too often, must be cut short as we are called away to attend to other business. But in the next
world, we will have continuous, unbroken fellowship with God and with one another. The twinge of
longing we feel when we don’t want a particular moment to end is actually our hearts yearning for
eternity, longing for that which God has prepared for us in the world to come. It is a longing to be in
the very presence of God himself. Tozer continues:
How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. Eternal years lie in
His heart. For Him time does not pass, it remains; and those who are in Christ share with Him all the
riches of limitless time and endless years.7
Managing Your Time
Because time is such a precious resource, the Bible cautions us to manage it well. For example, the
Apostle Paul makes a critical point in his letter to the Ephesians. He taught the young Christians
there to “live a life worthy of the calling [they had] received” (Ephesians 4:1); to be “imitators of
God” (5:1); to “live as children of light” (v. 8); and “be very careful…how you live – not as unwise but
as wise” (v. 15). He then drove home his primary point, exhorting the Ephesian Christians to
“redeem the time” because of the evil of the day (v. 16). If you wish to avoid being foolish and desire
to understand the Lord’s will, you will redeem (buy, get or win back) the time (v. 17).
Each day is like a microcosm of life. You wake up in the morning, and your tasks are before you. You
have plans at the beginning of the day that you hope to accomplish, but you don’t know how well
they’ll be fulfilled. And by the end of the day, things have rarely turned out precisely as you planned
them. You might meet all your deadlines and attend all your scheduled meetings, but there will be
things that happen during the course of your day which are beyond your control.
We often begin our day filled with energy. Perhaps we need some caffeinated help; but we reach a
point where we have optimal vigor to accomplish things. And over the course of our day we grow a
little bit weary until our energy diminishes as the day turns into night. You may get a second wind,
but, eventually, you become so tired that you must go to bed. It’s much like birth and growth and
decay and death. No one stays awake forever. And no one lives forever, either. Sooner or later, we
all must sleep.
The word sleep is a euphemism in the Bible for death. When our day is done, we all sleep; but as
inescapable as that is, there is one more inevitability: morning follows sleep. Thus, Paul tells these
Ephesian Christians: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (5:11).
The Son of God comes as the bright morning star, and another life begins.
God definitely cares about how well a person manages time. Perhaps this next idea warrants a more
complete treatment, but it must be said that because leaders direct others’ use of time as well as
their own, they double their responsibility for wise use of time. The first principle of time
management is recognizing the value of time and redeeming it – buying it up and using it carefully
as the priceless resource which it represents.
Starting with Time
No one can question King David’s place in history. He certainly proved his ability to accomplish
more in his lifetime than most men dream of. He was born in the backwoods town of Bethlehem,
but before he died, he led the nation of Israel in an unprecedented time of national growth,
accumulating for himself a level of wealth and fame we would have difficulty imagining. His name is
mentioned in the Bible nearly 900 times – more than anyone other than Jesus himself. To this day,
countless birth certificates bear his name.
We might wonder how David was able to accomplish so much in his lifetime. His secret is revealed
to us in Psalm 39:4-5, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how
fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing
before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” David, like Moses, was impressed with life’s brevity and
the consequent importance of using time wisely. That, of course, is often easier said than done.
God moves with purpose in directing the flow of human history towards his ultimate goal. Likewise,
he expects his followers to live with intentionality, properly stewarding the time allotted to them.
Living with a proper perspective on time allows us to accomplish as much as we can with what we
have during the time God gives us (cf. Matthew 25:14-30).
Eternity simply cannot tolerate laziness and complacency. We cannot be content to merely survive
when there are so many opportunities to serve God and other people. Life is far too short, and our
accountability to an almighty God far too serious, not to make the most of our days. Though there
may be several acceptable activities and vocations, our responsibility is to discover the best
stewardship of life.
Peter Drucker suggests three activities that might help busy leaders in dealing with time:
Effective executives…do not start with their task. They start with their time…. They start by finding
where their time actually goes. Then they attempt to manage their time and to cut back
unproductive demands on their time. Finally, they consolidate their “discretionary” time into the
largest possible continuing time units.
Drucker refers to the second step as time management. After listing the activities to which we devote
our time (step one), he suggests that we ask three questions about each of these activities to help us
minimize the amount of time we waste:
“What would happen if this were not done at all?” And if the answer is, “Nothing would happen,”
then obviously the conclusion is to stop doing it.
Which of the activities on my time log could be done by someone else just as well, if not better?
What do I do that wastes your time without contributing to your effectiveness?8
Drucker closes his chapter on time with this thought: “Know Thyself,” the old prescription for wisdom,
is almost impossibly difficult for mortal men. But everyone can follow the injunction “Know Thy
Time” if they want to, and be well on the road toward contribution and effectiveness.
This is not to suggest that every waking moment must be filled with intense, productive activity.
Certainly, there must be time for rest, relaxation and play. We need only reflect on the Sabbath
principle, the pattern of creation and the rhythm of life to realize that we need time for mental and
physical refreshment. Yet with a well-developed sense of purpose, shaped by God’s Word, all our
activities and decisions are brought into alignment with God’s purposes so that we can achieve
maximum effectiveness with the time and resources God has given us.
The responsibilities and pressures of this world clamor for our attention and tend to squeeze our
inner lives and starve our souls. When this happens, we lose sight of the things that matter most
and begin to focus on the things that are passing away. Our value system becomes confused when
we invest more of our thought and concern in things that are doomed to disappear than in that
which will endure forever.
As we make decisions about how we will make the most of our time on earth, we reflect the
character of God. That is our ultimate responsibility. What matters most in the long run is not how
long we live, but how well we live.
A day of reckoning is coming, and purposeful achievement is a mark of the reign and rule of
God coming to fruition in our lives.
1 James Gleick, Faster (New York: Random House, 1999), p. 10.
2 François Fénelon, Meditations on the Heart of God, trans. Robert J. Edmonson (Brewster, Mass:
Paraclete Press, 1997), pp. 71-72.
3 Adapted from an illustration given by Wayne Cordeiro at the Leadership Summit in Chicago,
Illinois, August 1999.
4 C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Collier Books, 1960), p. 118.
5 Fénelon, Meditations on the Heart of God, p. 72.
6 A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy (New York: Harper, 1961), p. 86.
7 Ibid.
8 Peter F. Drucker, The Effective Executive (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1995), pp. 25-
51.
SESSION two: DAY ONE
Luke 15
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 15
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION two: DAY TWO
Luke 16
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 16
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY THREE
Luke 17
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 17
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION ONE: DAY FOUR
Luke 18
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 18
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY FIVE
Luke 19
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 19
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Cor 5
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY SIX
Luke 20
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 20
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 6
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY SEVEN
Luke 21
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 21
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 7
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY EIGHT
Luke 22
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 22
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 8
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY NINE
Luke 23
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 23
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 9
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY TEN
Luke 24
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 24
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 10
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY ELEVEN
Colossians 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 25
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 11
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION TWO: DAY TWELVE
Colossians 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 26
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 12
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION Two: DAY THIRTEEN
Colossians 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 27
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 13
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION two: DAY FOURTEEN
Colossians 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 28
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 14
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
Section 3 TRADEMARKS OF A MAN OF GOD - Being A Steward of Time - Part 2
SESSION 3 STEWARDS OF OUR TIME
Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days
are evil.
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
We all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
The time is flowing past at the same rate for each one of us
We can waste it or invest it – but we can’t keep it!
Time Priorities
What are your time priorities? (What do you need to invest more time in? Less time in? Change?)
Time Wasters
What are your time wasters? (What sucks up a lot of your time that really isn’t really useful or wise?)
Time Savers
How can you eliminate wasting your time? Replacing lost hours with invested hours?
Time Stewardship
How are you going to invest time more wisely starting tomorrow… or tonight?!
The best way to begin stewarding your time wisely is to do a full inventory of your time for two weeks or
a month. The chart below will help you start that process. Be honest. Be thorough. It from honest
awareness that real and lasting change comes.
This exercise will help you discover where your time is being spent and will make it more obvious where
the changes should and could be made to be a better steward.
TIME USE CHART WEEK ONE
Record everything you do during each half-hour (You may divide the blocks in 15 minute periods).
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
6:00 am
6:30
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
NOON
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
6:00 pm
6:30
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
Midnight
12:30
TIME USE CHART - WEEK TWO
Record everything you do during each half-hour period (You may divide the blocks in 15 minute periods).
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
6:00 am
6:30
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
NOON
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
6:00 pm
6:30
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
Midnight
12:30
SESSION THREE: DAY ONE
Philippians 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 29
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 15
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION THREE: DAY TWO
Philippians 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 30
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 16
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION THREE: DAY THREE
Philippians 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 31
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION THREE: DAY FOUR
Philippians 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION THREE: DAY FIVE
Deuteronomy 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY SIX
Deuteronomy 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY SEVEN
Deuteronomy 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 5
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY EIGHT
Deuteronomy 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 6
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY NINE
Deuteronomy 5
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 5
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 7
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY TEN
Deuteronomy 6
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 6
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 8
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY ELEVEN
Deuteronomy 7
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 7
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 9
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY TWELVE
Deuteronomy 8
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 8
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 10
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY THIRTEEN
Deuteronomy 9
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 9
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 11
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION three: DAY FOURTEEN
Deuteronomy 10
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 10
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Mark 12
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION 4 TRADEMARKS OF A MAN OF GOD - Being A Steward of Talent
Study: Matthew 25 1 Corinthians 12-14 Ephesians 4 Romans 12-16 1 Peter 4
Spiritual Gifts
Understanding and discovering your spiritual gift(s) is an important aspect of becoming an effective servant of Jesus Christ. The following brief survey is intended to get you started studying what the Bible says about it. The following few pages are not designed to be a thorough study of spiritual gifts. But it will help you get a general understanding of the gifts and why God has given them to His people. Let me encourage you to get involved in ministry immediately! You don’t need to know what your gift is before you begin to serve. As a matter of fact, I don’t think you can know what your gift is until you become active in serving the Lord. As you take on the challenges of ministry, you will begin to see the strengths and desires God has placed in your heart. Some abilities will begin to surface as you serve. Those who serve the Lord with you will begin recognizing those gifts. So, don’t hold back until all your questions are answered. Start serving the Lord today. Find a ministry that needs help and humbly ask God for His enablement and wisdom. None of us were confident as we started out to serve the Lord. Most of us were scared to death and afraid we’d really fail big time! Most of us have failed a time or twenty! But that’s all part of the process of growing and discovering God’s will for our lives. There are dozens of ministry opportunities available to you here at BBC. Some are short-term commitments. Others have long term responsibilities. Some require a small outlay of time. Others require substantial time investments. Look them over. Observe some of them in action. Find a place to begin serving the Lord and get started! Welcome aboard! What is a “spiritual gift”? Eph. 4:7 I Peter 4:10
It is a special ability that the Holy Spirit gave you when were saved.
Do all born again believers have one or more? I Cor. 12:7 Yes. But it’s up to you to discover, develop, and use it. What are the gifts? Romans 12:3-8 I Cor. 12:8-10,28-30 Eph. 4:11 Prophecy Word of Wisdom Apostleship Ministering(helps) Word of Knowledge Prophecy Teaching Faith Evangelism Exhorting Healing Pastoring Giving Miracles Teaching Ruling Prophecy (Administration) Discernment Showing Mercy Tongues/Interpretation Apostleship Teaching Ministration (Helps) Government (Ruling, Administration)
What is the reason for all the gifts? Eph. 4:7-12 All the gifts are given for the purpose of building up fellow believers and reaching the world with the gospel. Are they all in operation today? I Cor. 13:8-11 The “sign gifts” of a miraculous nature were given to the apostles and the first believers to demonstrate the validity and authority of the gospel message. Once the Bible neared completion by about 70 AD, most of the “miracle gifts” had already ceased. (See also Hebrews 2:3-4 and II Tim. 4:20) The need to demonstrate the authority of the apostles message was no longer necessary. The Bible is now complete. Why are the lists of the gifts different? I Cor. 12:8-10,28-30 Romans 12:3-8 Eph. 4:11 The first list (I Cor. 12) is found in one of Paul’s earliest letters and this church had all the gifts in evidence in their church. The other two lists do not include the gifts of tongues, interpretation, wisdom, discernment, knowledge, miracles or healing as these gifts had for the most part ceased by the time these letters were written. Explain the differences in the gifts.
The first group of gifts is known as “miraculous” or “sign gifts”. They include word of wisdom, apostleship, word of knowledge, prophecy, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues. These were gifts the Spirit gave to the early church to show the miraculous authority of the message that the apostles were bringing. There were 3 periods in history when God gave new revelation and accompanied it with miraculous signs. The time of Moses, the time of Elijah, and the time of Jesus and the apostles. As each time of revelation was completed, the signs ceased.
The second group of gifts is known as “serving gifts”. These include ministering or helps, teaching, evangelism, exhorting, pastoring, giving, showing mercy, and ruling or administration. These gifts have always existed in the church and continue to exist today.
God has also given us natural talents or abilities that can and should be used for the glory of God. We should give our all to Christ to be used by Him for His kingdom purposes. So dedicate yourself, your spiritual gifts, and your natural talents to the service of Christ. He will use all that we give to Him. From a little boy’s lunch (John 6:8-14) to the greatest of intellectual and spiritual giftedness (I Cor. 15:9-10).
We will now proceed to examine the gifts and to help you discover what yours may be so that you can begin developing it for the glory of God.
The Gift of Helps (Serving) Romans 12:7 I Cor. 12:28 Example: Dorcas
The desire and ability to be a servant. One who can see what needs to be done to meet the
needs of others and willingly moves in and does it. While all believers are called to serve others, this gift is a special enablement given to certain ones. It gives a person a special sensitivity towards meeting needs and a sense of deep fulfillment as they assist others. It is a gift that compliments and teams with a person who has the gift of administration. A person with the gift of ruling has the ability to plan, orchestrate, lead, and take charge of a team or project. The person with the gift of helps delights in stepping in to assist and carry out the ministry behind the scenes.
BBC Ministries needing “Helps” Facilities Deacons Meal Ministry Elderly assistance
The Gift of Teaching Romans 12:3-8 I Cor. 12:8-10,28-30 Eph. 4:11 Examples: Paul, Timothy, Stephen, Apollos This spiritual gift is found in all the lists and is a prominent one throughout the New Testament. It is a special ability given by the Spirit to an individual to enable them to communicate clearly and effectively the truths of the bible. No one starts out as a great teacher! This gift becomes evident over time. It must be coupled with the discipline of study. No one becomes an effective teacher who does not devote him or herself to the study of the scriptures. Let me encourage you to seek to discover if you have this gift. Begin by taking notes on the messages and classes you hear. Begin to learn how to study the Bible. Our pastors and deacons will be glad to work with you to show you how to become a student of the Word of God. You can benefit greatly by taking one of CEF’s courses on Teacher Training. Begin by assisting a teacher as a helper in Sunday School, VBS, Awana or Kids Own Worship. BBC Ministries for “teachers” Sunday School Classes Junior Church Awana Club Youth Group Vacation Bible School Prison Ministries Nursing Home Ministries CEF Clubs, After school, 5 Day Clubs Bible Study Groups Discipleship One on One Studies
The Gift of Evangelist Eph. 4:11 Examples: Paul, Silas, Barnabas, and Phillip
Every believer is commanded to witness and evangelize lost people. We cannot excuse ourselves by thinking…..”I don’t witness because that’s not my gift”. That’s no excuse for disobeying the Great Commission!
You and I must be active in sharing our faith in obedience to Christ even if we don’t have a special
gift in this area. But, some people have been given a special ability to share their faith and win the lost to Christ. Those with the gift of evangelism find a special delight, a special freedom, and a special passion for evangelism that nothing else can match. But like everyone, they have to learn how to share their faith. They must also become students of the Word of God so the message they share is true to the Bible.
Even those who don’t have this gift should still learn how to share their faith. So let me
encourage you to make time to take our “Evangelism Explosion” course. Through this you will likely discover if God has gifted you in this ministry. And if not, you will still have learned a great deal about sharing your faith that will help you in your own spiritual growth.
BBC Ministries for Evangelists Career Missionary Service Vacation Bible School Prison Ministries Nursing Home Ministries Good News Clubs 5 Day Clubs
The Gift of Exhortation Romans 12:3-8 Examples: Barnabas, Titus, Author of Hebrews
The word “exhortation” means “to encourage”. Those with this spiritual gift can become
effective encouragers and Biblical counselors. If you have this gift, you have a special insight in understanding people problems and what the Bible says about solving those problems. You are a natural encourager and supporter. A spiritual cheerleader of sorts, as well as an objective evaluator of a persons spiritual needs.
BBC Ministries for Exhorters Deacons & Wives One on One Discipleship Leaders Counseling Visitation of Elderly & Shut-ins New Hope Ministries Prison Ministries Youth Group Leadership Team
The Gift of Pastoring Eph. 4:11 Examples: Barnabas, Timothy, Titus This gift is usually coupled with gifts of teaching and exhortation, too. Those who possess this gift have a unique ability to shepherd (the meaning of the word “pastor” is “shepherd”) God’s people and to lead them into effective and godly service for Christ. As with all the gifts, these gifts must also be accompanied by personal godliness of life and character. (Not all that have this gift are qualified to actually “pastor” a local church unless their lives conform to I Tim. 3:1-7) BBC Ministries for Pastors Pastoral Staff & Elders Pastoral Apprenticeship Career Ministry as Pastors or Missionaries One on One Discipleship Leaders Counseling Visitation of Elderly & Shut-ins New Hope Ministries Bethesda Mission
The Gift of Giving Romans 12:3-8 Example: Barnabas, Epaphroditus, Philemon
All believers are commanded to show generosity and a willingness to sacrifice to meet the needs
of God’s people and a lost world in need of the gospel. However, those who possess this gift are specially enabled to give generously and substantially of both finances and time to the work of Christ. It is likely that this gift is also usually coupled with the gift of showing mercy.
BBC Ministries for Givers Financial Needs in Church instries Deacons Benevolent Fund Special Needs for World Evangelism Emergency Needs that arise in the church
The Gift of Showing Mercy Romans 12:3-8 Examples: Barnabas, Paul, Timothy
All believers are commanded to be merciful. This is a special Spirit-given compassion for the
needs of others. It is evidenced by a deep tenderheartedness that leads one to reach out and comfort the hurting. This gift enables one to continually and patiently show compassion towards others. If you possess this gift, you will be a special source of blessing to people in the body who are enduring grief and sorrow. If you possess and develop this gift, you will reach out continually to those in crisis and heartache. Your ministry will not be a “program” but a “response” as the needs become known.
BBC Ministries for the Merciful Personal Outreach to Hurting People Deacons & Wives Nursing Home Ministry Nursery Visitation Meal & Card Ministry Counseling the Grieving
The Gift of Ruling (Administration) Romans 12:3-8 I Cor. 12:8-10,28-30 Examples: Peter, Paul, James, Stephen, Barnabas Every believer needs to develop a disciplined life of obedience to God. But this is a special Spirit-given ability to lead. Those who possess and develop this gift, and have the godly character qualities that must accompany it, are going to find their place in ministry leadership. These individuals will be able to evaluate the big picture of a ministry, and gather the resources to carry it out. This gift must be accompanied by humility or the flesh will turn it into arrogant and self-willed dictatorship. There are special blessings and special dangers that accompany each gift, and this is no exception. One must learn to be a humble and willing follower long before he is ready for spiritual leadership. Leadership requires the ability and willingness to serve those we lead. Servant-Leadership is the Biblical model. BBC Ministries for Leaders Career Ministry as Pastors or Missionaries Elders Deacons, Missions Committee, Finance Committee, ABFS, Facilities Committee Missionary Work Teams All Ministries need leadership
SESSION FOUR: DAY ONE
Deuteronomy 11
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 11
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Mark 13
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION four: DAY TWO
Deuteronomy 12
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Proverbs 12
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Mark 14
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SESSION four: DAY THREE
Deuteronomy 13
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Proverbs 13
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Mark 15
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SESSION four: DAY FOUR
Deuteronomy 14
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Proverbs 14
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Mark 16
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SESSION four: DAY FIVE
Deuteronomy 15
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Proverbs 15
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Ephesians 1
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SESSION four: DAY SIX
Deuteronomy 16
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Proverbs 16
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Ephesians 2
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SESSION four: DAY SEVEN
Deuteronomy 17
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Proverbs 17
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Ephesians 3
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SESSION four: DAY EIGHT
Deuteronomy 18
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Proverbs 18
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Ephesians 4
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SESSION four: DAY NINE
Deuteronomy 19
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Proverbs 19
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Ephesians 5
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SESSION four: DAY TEN
Deuteronomy 20
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Proverbs 20
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Ephesians 5
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SESSION four: DAY ELEVEN
Deuteronomy 21
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Proverbs 21
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Ephesians 6
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SESSION four: DAY TWELVE
Deuteronomy 22
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Proverbs 22
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1 Corinthians 12 (again) The Body & Gifts
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SESSION four: DAY THIRTEEN
Ephesians 4 (again) The Body and Gifts
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Proverbs 23
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1 Corinthians 13 (again) The Body and Gifts
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Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION four: DAY FOURTEEN
Romans 12 (again) The Body and Gifts
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Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 24
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1 Corinthians 14 (again) The Body and Gifts
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MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION 5 TRADEMARKS OF A MAN OF GOD - Being A Steward of Treasure Study: Proverbs - note all the verses that deal with money including wise & unwise decisions, holy and sinful perspectives
on money (greed, miserliness, impulsive & wasteful spending, borrowing, etc.)
Biblical stewardship is evident in Jesus' disciples. Biblical stewardship refers not only to money, but to time, talents and all resources. Biblical stewardship means handling resources for God's glory. To understand biblical stewardship, you need to know what the bible teaches about use of money, time,
and talents for God's glory. Learning to be a steward is a key step to practicing biblical stewardship. Biblical Stewardship: Who is a Steward Simply, a steward is someone looking after another's property on that person's behalf. So, the steward must know that person, his or her goals, plans, and accountability systems. For the Christian, we look after everything we use on behalf of Jesus. God has given us many promises and assurances in the Bible to guide us
through life. The Bible abounds with verses on stewardship of money, wealth, and possessions. We would do well to get to know some key verses and recall them as needed. A word of caution: it's essential you interpret Bible verses in context. Out of context interpretation prevails with many TV evangelists who coerce and manipulate you. They tell you God wants you to be materially rich. Before we decide the meaning of a verse, to understand it, look carefully at the verse: at each word, phrase, emphasis. Next, interpret it in context of the passage, chapter, book, such as Matthew, and the Bible. One reason so many people tithe is because they take Malachi 3:10 out of context. Before we look at key stewardship verses, we need to understand the three pillars of managing God's money.
Biblical Stewardship: Three Pillars of Managing God's Money The first biblical stewardship pillar is to be born again. After our spiritual rebirth, the second pillar is to be Jesus' disciple, and the third to become Jesus' steward. Jesus wants us in a personal relationship with Him. He will accept us right where we are; as is. Then He will give us His Holy Spirit to help us change. John 3: 1-21 shows a beautiful picture of the process of surrendering our lives to Jesus. Meditate on Jesus' discussion with Israel's prominent teacher at the time, Nicodemus.
After we have turned over our lives to Jesus, He wants us to be His disciple, to become like Him. Mull over these passages in Matthew 25 that show clearly our responsibility under our stewardship role: . 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 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? 27 Well 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 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. The important message here is not about money and interest; it is about handling everything God has entrusted to us-time, talents, money, resources-to the best of our abilities for His glory. It is not about money. Luke 14:25-27:Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Does Jesus mean we should literally hate our family? No, he does not. Going back to the original text, we know He means, we must love them less than Him. He must be first; others second. Jesus goes on to tell us that before we consider being a disciple, we must count the cost: Luke 14:28: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?..." After becoming His disciple, we must go and make disciples. That's the role of every Christian. We can do this only when we know Him and His word: Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The third pillar is becoming Jesus' steward. We read in 1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." And Apostle Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that God has given us everything we need for life and Godliness. Our job is to use what we have for His glory. But we must stay in His word; stay close to Jesus because apart from Him we can do nothing: John 15:5. Biblical Stewardship: Three Key Truths- The GAS Principle These three key truths are the foundation of biblical stewardship. You can handle resources for His glory effectively only when you understand and accept these truths. They need to be instinctive, so you apply them to all parts of your lives: at home, at school, at work, and at church. Biblical Stewardship Truth #1: God Owns Everything Psalm 24:1-2: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he
founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Colossians 1:16: For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Biblical Stewardship Truth #2: Accept What You Have 1 Timothy 6:7- 8: For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Hebrews 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Biblical Stewardship Truth #3: Seek First His Kingdom And Submit Your Requests To Him Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well--Note: "These things" refer to food, clothes, and life, not "grown up toys" or fancy gadgets. Proverbs 19:21: Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.Top Stewardship Bible Verses: Anxiety About Finances
Memorizing Bible verses will help Jesus' follower draw closer to Him. For the follower of Jesus who chooses to live as His disciple, victory is assured. Jesus tells us apart from Him we can do nothing...I repeat, nothing: John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Besides, He tells us, in Mark 9:23 “‘...“Everything is possible for one who believes.” Do we need greater assurance than this from our Lord and Savior?
Still, anxiety overcomes almost everyone. That's why, six times in these Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to worry about, life, food, or clothes--six times! Do you believe Him? I do. Matthew 6:25-34: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Philippians 4:6-7 reinforces these words: take all your requests to Him to get His perfect peace: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When you feel anxious, go to a quiet place and ask the Lord to help you lean on Him...to help your unbelief: "Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”" (Mark 9:24)> Top
Stewardship Bible Verses: Avoiding Debt When you feel you need to borrow, remember God alone knows the future; wait on Him: James 4:13-16: Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil." Meditate on James word and ask God to give you His PhD:
1. Patience: Isaiah 30:18: Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
2. Humility: 1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
3. Dependence: Isaiah 26:4: “Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. and Psalm 118:8: It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Stewardship Bible Verses: Borrowing
The Bible doesn't disallow debt, but it looks at it negatively. To be sure, if you borrow you must repay: Proverbs 22:7: The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Psalm 37:21: The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously Romans 13:6-8: This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt
remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Sometimes, relative or friend asks you to co-sign a loan for them; meaning, a financial institution does not think this person should borrow, she is not a good credit risk! Read what the Bible says about that: Proverbs 17:18 (NASB): A man lacking in sense pledges and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. Proverbs 11:15 He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, but he who hates being a guarantor is secure. Goal Setting & Planning Stewardship Bible Verses: Goal Setting God's Way The Bible shows a clear pattern. When God wants something done, He calls someone, gives him or her the assignment, gives him or her the resources, and the job's done. Simple; yes, it is simple to understand but difficult to do. When we decide to do God's goal, not God's goal for us, but God's goal, we will find we get His tasks done, His way, and in His time. Read this clear goal from God to Moses in Exodus 3:10 and 12. Notice how Moses did what we do...instead of looking at God, he looked at Moses: Exodus 3: 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[a] will worship God on this mountain. ” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and
they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God gave goals to many others in the Bible, and in each case His goals were accomplished: Abraham, Noah, Jonah, Nehemiah, Peter. Here is His goal to Apostle Paul: Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Notice that God told Apostle Paul, he would suffer. God's goals are always clear, complete, concise. His plans are fuzzy and are part of our sanctification journey. Plans represent the steps needed to do goals. God does not give us clear plans; we need to lean on Him, depend on Him, trust in Him as we journey with His plans to do His goals. Read how Moses did God's goal to free the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and you will see how frustrating it can be for us humans to carry out God's plans. As you do God's goals, remember these two important points: First, God's goals do not change. Second, when it seems we are not progressing to do His goal, remember Moses and the ten plagues. God might use many different approaches to teach us as we do his plan, so, never take your eyes off Him and his ways. Stewardship Bible Verses: Planning God's Way Once you have God's goals, hide them in your heart and turn to your Counselor to see you through; He will. Understand that it is His plans that will prevail: Proverbs 19:21: Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Meditate on this essential planning verse; never forget to whom we have access, and who knows the future: John 16:13: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Be alert to your friends advice: Proverbs 12:15: The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Stewardship Bible Verses: Budgeting A budget is an estimate of future costs (time, talents, and expenses) to do specific goals. God alone knows the future, so we must seek to do His will (His goals), and He will show us the budget. To do the budget we need God's goals and plans. The goal is the destination, and the plan shows steps to do the goal. The budget shows costs in time, talents and money. The verses below refer specifically to discipleship, but apply to all we do in life, especially our approach to stewardship, of which budgeting is an essential practical aid: Luke 14:28-33: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Stewardship Bible Verses: Tithing: Before Jesus Death & Resurrection For more on tithing and giving see The Truth About Tithing. Though God did not give the Levites a specific geographic area, from other tribes’ geographic area allotments, God assigned them towns and pasturelands that they were not to sell: Numbers 35:2-3 2 "Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. 3 Then
they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for their cattle, flocks and all their other livestock. The "Levitical" tithe called for all tribes except Levi to give one tenth of their agricultural crops and livestock to the Levites in return for the Levites’ work in the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 18:21-32: 21 "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. 22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. 23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. 24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: 'They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.' " 25 The LORD said to Moses, 26 "Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering. 27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28 In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD's portion to Aaron the priest. 29 You must present as the LORD's portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.' 30 "Say to the Levites: 'When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the Tent of Meeting. 32 By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.' " The "Festive" tithe of agricultural produce and livestock was consumed by Donors in God’s presence to worship Him, to celebrate with Him and the community, and to learn to fear or revere Him. Deuteronomy 14:22-27: 22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own. The "Poor" tithe, of agricultural produce only, once every three years (equal to 3.3% each year), went to feed the Levites, foreigners, widows, and orphans. Deuteronomy 14:28-29: 28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your
God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Stewardship Bible Verses: Giving to God: After Jesus' Death & Resurrection
Hebrews 7 and 8 tells us Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the tithing law: Hebrews 7:23-28 "Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our
need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. Act 2:41-47: Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7: And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 9:7-10: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."[a] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. Stewardship Bible Verses: Building a "Nest Egg" Here we see the credit card alternative. These verses remind us that there will be feasts and famines. Times of plenty and times of few. We should live lives that focus on Jesus and not on available funding. We should save to buy items; save for the rainy day when we have excess. Use excess funds in the drought, and learn to sacrifice and do without, when we have no funds. God will provide, but we must
seek first His Kingdom and righteousness. Genesis 41: "...They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."..."<br Proverbs 6:6-8 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Stewardship Bible Verses: Teaching Kids About Money Deuteronomy 6:4-9: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Stewardship Bible Verses: Accountability As we use our time, talents and money God allows us to have, we must be conscious that one day we will have to account to Jesus for our stewardship. Our God is not a mean oppressive God but a God of grace, mercy, and love. But He loves us too much to leave us boundrary-less. Read and mull over these Bible passages; 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” A prayer partner of the same sex can hold you accountable, encourage you, and help you grow closer to the Lord. Romans 14:11-12: 11. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 12. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Matthew 12:36: But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. Luke 19:17: “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
Financial Work Sheet
According to some, financial issues are at the root of more than 50% of all marriage
conflicts and divorces in North America. The American Dream has turned out to be a
nightmare as people pursue the good life with ever increasing possessions accumulated
through an ever increasing debt-load.
First, your “income” must exceed your “outgo.” My advice is…
1. Make a budget using a method of allocation that you can control and stay current with. You have to plot and know your exact spending for a month before you can make an accurate budget.
2. Both spouses must come to terms with the budget and agree to live with it. If you need to adjust it, do so after mutual discussion. The purpose of a budget is to give you freedom to make decisions and to eventually get completely out of debt.
3. Acceptable debt includes house, car and school debt. Anything beyond this should ordinarily always be avoided.
4. Don’t use a credit card if you ever have to pay interest on it. If you cannot pay off the card completely (and not by transferring balances!) before the due date each month, then stop using it until all your debt is eliminated.
5. Buying a good used car and keeping it at least three years after it’s paid off is wise. 6. Make a shopping list and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases of things you really don’t
need. The savings will add up. 7. Don’t make purchases above $100 until giving it at least three days to think it over. 8. If a potential purchase over $1,000, give it at least a week or two and get some
objective advice. 9. If a potential purchase is over $5,000, take your time, do research, and get the advice
of several wise individuals. 10. If you have to make a quick decision, it’s better to wait and not buy. Quick financial
decisions are almost always bad ones!
SESSION five: DAY ONE
Deuteronomy 23
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 25
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Peter 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY TWO
Deuteronomy 24
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 26
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Peter 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY THREE
Deuteronomy 25
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Proverbs 27
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Peter 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY FOUR
Deuteronomy 26
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 1
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Peter 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY FIVE
Deuteronomy 27
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 2
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
1 Peter 5
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY SIX
Deuteronomy 28
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 3
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 4
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY SEVEN
Deuteronomy 29
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 5
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 6
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY EIGHT
Deuteronomy 30
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 7
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 8
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY NINE
Deuteronomy 31
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 9
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 10
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY TEN
Deuteronomy 32
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 11
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 12
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY ELEVEN
Deuteronomy 33
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 13
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 14
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY TWELVE
Deuteronomy 34
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 15
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 16
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY THIRTEEN
Revelation 17
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 18
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 19
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________
SESSION five: DAY FOURTEEN
Revelation 20
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 21
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
Revelation 22
Favorite Verse: ___________________________________________________________________________
Main Truth Emphasized: ________________________________________________________________
Key thought that stood out to me: ______________________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE(S): ________________________________________________________________________