175 Sermon Illustrations on Stewardship

A writer on the coal areas of the nation says:

A good geologist, Baron von Richthofen, has reported that he has found a coal-field in the province of Hunau covering an area of 21,700 square miles, which is nearly double the British coal area of 12,000 square miles. In the province of Shansi, the baron discovered nearly 30,000 square miles of coal, with unrivaled facilities for mining. But all these vast coal-fields, capable of supplying the whole world for some thousands of years to come, are lying unworked.

If “the course of manufacturing supremacy of wealth and of power” were directed by coal, then China, which possesses 33.3 times more of this directive force than Great Britain, and had so early a start in life, should be the supreme summit of the industrial world. If this solid hydrocarbon “raises up one people and casts down another,” the Chinaman should be raised thirty-three times and three-tenths higher than the Englishman; if it “makes railways on land and paths on the sea,” the Chinese railways should be 33.3 times longer than ours, and the tonnage of their mercantile marine 33.3 times greater.

China is thus shown to be, potentially, the wealthiest coal-bearing country in the world. Actually, she is one of the poorest. The difference lies in her lack of utilization of that which is hers. So many a man fails of the best results. He possesses untold wealth, but he is morally and spiritually poverty-stricken because he fails to work the moral and spiritual deposit.

Sermon in Philippians series. Mutuality in giving. Phil. 4:14-20.

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SHARING AND CARING

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I. Coordination test.

II. Share at the point of people's needs.

A. "You shared in my troubles."

B. The Philippian church was God's way of taking care of Paul.

C. Three stages in sharing in someone's need. Luke 10:30-36

1) Identify the need.

2) Show an interest in the need.

3) Get involved in meeting the need.

III. Be persistent in sharing.

A. "You sent me aid again and again." 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

B. Persistent sharing is lifeblood of Christian ministry.

IV. The profit of sharing.

A. Greco-Roman friendship was based on mutuality.

B. Mutuality also works on higher level - our relationship with God.

C. Our God can give us what we really need.

V. The price of sharing.

A. Sharing is described as an acceptable sacrifice.

B. You cannot out-give God.

#134

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Christian finances in the family.

A God's-Eye View of Money.

1. Material things are God's blessing.

2. Man is an accountable steward.

3. We are responsible for others.

Getting A Grip on Finances.

1. Live below your income.

2. Establish priorities for the use of your resources.

3. Master your credit.

4. Learn to buy wisely.

What’s money? Are you kidding? Everyone knows what money is, don’t they? Sure. It’s that green paper stuff you hand over to someone else in exchange for a meal, or a new blouse, or maybe to pay rent on your apartment.

So, what is this -- some kind of test? Maybe it is, because money is more than a medium of exchange. It compels some people to do things that they really don’t intend to do. And money can reveal attitudes about you that might make you uncomfortable -- things that are important for you to understand.

Maybe the best way to answer the question “What is money?” is first to determine what money is not.

Money is not:

• A component of your self-worth. Although you might not know it from the way many Christians think or behave, we don’t acquire our self- worth based on the amount of money we accumulate or have the ability to make. For the Christian, self-worth is found in Jesus Christ.

• A reward for right living. If money is some sort of prize for right living, then what about those dishonest rascals you know about who are so rich? Furthermore, if right living provides wealth, whatever happened to Mother Teresa’s bank account?

• A guarantee of contentment. Who hasn’t thought, “If I could just make (fill in the blank) dollars more, I could be happy and content.” That was probably some time ago. Now, here you are making that much (maybe more) and spending more. Then why aren’t you content?

• A measure of success. You might have accumulated enough money to own a big car, live in an oversized house and wear fine clothes ... but you have no time for your family. So, that’s what you call success?

Well, if that’s not what money is, then what is it?

Money is used by God:

• As a tool to teach you things. If you’re in deep debt, are you learning? Have you opened yourself to receive God’s blessings by practicing his biblical financial principles, freeing yourself from debt bondage, and by giving to his work?

• As a test of where your true love is centered. Jesus reveals the test by saying, “If you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Luke 16:11-13).

Jesus didn’t say you shouldn’t serve both or that you aren’t a nice person if you don’t serve both. Jesus says you absolutely, definitely, positively cannot serve both money and God. Have you made your choice?

• As a testimony of what is most important to you. Money can help you show the world that you are different because of God. You are not to consider yourself better, but you are different than the world. And you need to live like it.

So, don’t forget what money really is. And remember whose you are and that you can’t serve both God and money. It’s your call.

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #11155]

[Quotes on “Thoughts” was added to #5044]

When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, "Does this hurt? How about this?"

If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, most likely, there's something wrong, and the doctor will say, "We'd better do some more tests. It's not supposed to hurt there!"

So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard. Or perhaps there's something wrong. In that case, I say, "My friend, we're in need of the Great Physician because it's not supposed to hurt there."

#2053

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The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lves.

1. The purpose of tithing. Deut 14:23

2. The practice of tithing. Mal 3:6-12

3. The roots of tithing. Gen 14:20

4. The sacrifice of tithing. 2 Sam 24:24

5. The priority of tithing. Matt 23:23

6. The joy of tithing. 2 Cor 9:7

Best-selling author John Grisham has produced his best novel in years, at least in the judgment of USA Today book reviewer Deirdre Donahue.

“The Testament” is his 10th novel and includes Grisham’s “trademark legal wrangling, zippy plot and engaging minor characters,” Donahue writes, “but there’s a fresh energy and a new element. God.

“‘The Testament’ is unabashedly spiritual without being doctrinaire,” Donahue writes. “The major question he explores: What is needed for a man to live a good and happy life? While characters in previous thrillers have found joy in their offshore bank accounts, faith in God, not legal loopholes, is Grisham’s new answer.”

Perhaps not so new, at least for Grisham personally.

Grisham is a 44-year-old Baptist layman who has taught Sunday school to young couples as well as 4-year-olds. From a theological perspective, he described himself to USA Today as a “moderate Southern Baptist” -- a “minority” within the convention. From his perspective, he said, “There’s no such thing as a liberal Southern Baptist.”

But Grisham, the father of two teens, also has developed a heart for missions, having traveled to Brazil as a volunteer several times in trips coordinated through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.

“I started going out in 1993 with a church group from my home church in Oxford, Miss.,” he told USA Today. “We went down there for the purpose of constructing a church in this little town sort of in the outback and it was such a rewarding experience that I’ve done it several times since.”

And despite his wealth -- from 110 million books in print, with six of his novels having been made into movies -- Grisham evidences a sense of stewardship.

He and his wife, Renee, “measure the success of the year on how much we give away,” Grisham told USA Today. They have set up a foundation to oversee their giving -- “the bulk of it goes to church and related activities” -- to which “the kids have said, ‘Look, don’t give it all away.’”

Grisham’s missions experiences surface in The Testament.

Brazil is the setting into which his lead character, Nate O’Reilly, is thrust. An attorney battered by life in the fast lane, O’Reilly is hired to search for missionary Rachel Lane, who has been left the bulk of a billionaire’s fortune. The billionaire has committed suicide and, as a shocker to his six spoiled children and three ex-wives, he left his wealth to Lane, an illegitimate daughter none of his greedy clan knew about.

As Grisham explained to USA Today, “Nate tried power and women and booze and drugs and the fast life and all the good things that money can buy. He’s crashed and burned four times in 10 years and it’s obvious he can’t save himself. I wanted to take a guy like that and sort of follow him on a kind of spiritual journey, his quest for a spiritual cure. ... I was challenged by the goal of seeing if I could make such a spiritual journey work in a popular novel, in commercial fiction.”

Dale Hanson Bourke, publisher of Religion News Service, writes that Grisham is “a man of faith who has steadily introduced struggles between good and evil, materialism and spirituality into his recent novels.”

“In ‘The Testament’ (Doubleday), Grisham has finally tipped the balance toward a story that is more about faith than law, more a study of grace than legalism,” Bourke writes. “He has managed to do this in a way that still produces a ‘good read’ while offering an unabashed introduction to the Christian faith.”

A pastor was once asked, "How many church members do you have?" He

answered, "One hundred fifty." The pastor was further asked, "How

many of them are tithers?" The pastor replied, "One hundred fifty."

In astonishment the inquirer exclaimed, "What? All one hundred fifty

members, the entire church are tithers?" The pastor replied, "Yes,

indeed!" About fifty of them bring the tithe to the storehouse on

Sunday, and God collects it from the rest during the week!"

Friends, you cannot cheat God!

- W. A. Criswell

The treasurer of a rural church resigned and was replaced by a man who managed the local grain elevator. The grain operator agreed to the new position on one condition: the church could not require a financial statement or ask him any questions about the finances for one year. The church members were confused by the request but obliged him because he was a successful and trustworthy man.

At the end of the year, this secretive treasurer gave his glowing financial report. The $25,000 debt had been paid off, there were no outstanding bills, and there was a cash balance of $12,000. The congregation was elated and wanted to know how he managed to accomplish such a great feat. He replied, "Most of you bring your grain to my elevator. When I paid you, I simply withheld ten percent on your behalf and gave it to the church in your name. You never missed it, and now you have seen what God can do when we each give back to God the tithe he has commanded of us all."

Tithing provides a beautiful transformation in the life of a Christian who is obedient to God's command, and collectively, tithing transforms the entire scope and magnitude of a church's ministry.

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Another version from Fredericksburg collection:

The day the church treasurer resigned the church asked the local grain elevator manager to take the position. He agreed under two conditions. That no treasurer's report would be given for the first year, and that no questions be asked about finances during that year. The people were surprised but finally agreed since most of them did business with him and he was a trusted man. At the end of the year he gave his report:

The church indebtedness of $228,000 has been paid.

The minister's salary had been increased by 8%.

The Cooperative Program gifts has been paid 200%.

There were no outstanding bills.

There was a cash balance of $11,252!

Immediately the shocked congregation asked, "How did you do it? Where did the money come from?"

He quietly answered: "Most of you bring your grain to my elevator. Throughout the year I simply withheld ten percent on your behalf and gave it to the church in your name. You didn't even miss it!"

"Do you see what we could do for the Lord if we were all willing to give at least the tithe to God, who really owns it?" So the new treasurer had made his point.

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James Carter, adapted from "A Sourcebook for Stewardship Sermons"

Sermon on tithing and grace-giving. Malachi 3:8-12

DON'T RIP OFF GOD

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I. Whom do you owe?

A. Sometimes it seems like we owe everyone.

B. Money is a deeply spiritual matter.

II. Tithing has been around a while.

A. Affirmed throughout Bible.

B. The recipients of the tithes.

C. Multiple tithes?

D. The tithe was not to be neglected.

III. Does the tithe apply to Christians?

A. Surprisingly, no, it does not.

B. The New Testament principle is grace-giving.

IV. The tithe can be considered a benchmark.

A. "Tithers" versus "grace-givers."

B. Tradition of this church.

V. First things first.

A. Relationship with God comes first.

B. We need a concrete standard.

THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR DONKEY

"The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks

where he is going" (Proverbs 14:15). This fable is adapted from

Aesop's collection.

A miller and his son were traveling to market with their donkey. They had not gone very far when they overheard three women at a well. "Have you ever seen anything so strange? Two men are walking when they could ride. Why do people have donkeys?"

Responding to the women, the miller quickly put his son on the back of the animal and continued on the journey. Soon they met two men in the midst of a fierce debate. "I say the present generation shows no respect for its elders." cried the older man. Spying the miller and his son, he continued, "There, that prove what I am saying. The young, healthy lad rides while his old father is forced to walk."

Immediately the father told his son to dismount, and he climbed on the animal's back. They hadn't gone very far when they met a man and his wife walking down the road. "Look at that mean father," the woman exclaimed. "He rides while his little son has to walk." Embarrassed, the miller took his son by the are. "Come up here with me. We will both ride the donkey." Together they rode toward the market. Soon they met a group of men loading hay beside the road. "Shame on you," a fat man cried, "overloading the

poor donkey. "Why, the two of you are strong enough to carry that poor animal."

Bother the miller and his son quickly got off the animal and walked along until they found a large log. They tied the legs of the donkey together and slipped the log between the animal's legs. Then they attempted to carry it over the bridge that led to the market.

People on the other side of the bridge roared with laughed when they saw two men trying to carry a donkey. The noise frightened the animal that he kicked loose and fell into the river and drowned.

- William R White STORIES FOR TELLING p74-75

According to a Gallup survey, almost half the total charitable contributions in the United States come from households with incomes of less than $30,000. (Reported in The Other Side)

A. Aaron's Approach ...... Control (Ex. 32:1-6).

1. Verse 1 ..... Couldn't wait for God.

2. Verse 5 ..... God is an afterthought.

3. Rest of chapter: Moses' anger, Aaron's excuse, God's judgment.

B. Moses' Approach ...... Freedom (Ex. 35:4-9).

C. Contrasting these two approaches:

Aaron Moses

Specific--Gold earrings............. General--Whatever.

Mandatory--Command.............. Voluntary--Everyone who who is willing.

Impersonal--Just gold............... Personal--Involvement in mission (10).

D. Result? (36:2-7).

Suppose U.S. decided to convert all its currency into British pounds. When it did all U.S. currency would be worthless. Nobody knew when changeover would be. What would be the wise thing to do? Turn money into pounds and keep only enough to live on day by day.

A minister preached a sermon along the lines that everything belongs to the Lord. An old farmer skeptically sat in the congregation, listening to but not agreeing with the sermon. That afternoon he invited the preacher to Sunday dinner with him and his family. After dinner they walked outside, the farmer made a point of showing the preacher around his house, barns, tool shed, and pointed to his beautifully kept farm. Then he asked the preacher half jokingly, “Pastor, I worked all my life on this land. Do you mean to tell me that it’s not my land, that its the Lord’s land?” The minister reflected for a moment and then quietly said to the farmer. “Ask me the same question a hundred years from now.”

Yes, everything does belong to the Lord, and when we bring our tithes into the storehouse we simply are returning a part of what is already God’s.

"Blessed are the money raisers," said D.L. Moody, "for in heaven

they shall be next to the martyrs."

- Paul W. Powell, {Taking the Stew Out of Stewardship,

}(Dallas, TX: Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1996)

9

My Source: BEACON

Vol. XXVII, 9/14/98

A Publication of Bellview church of Christ

… … … … … … .

Author: Charles Box

… … … … … … .

THE CHEERFUL GIVER

God gives plain and clear instruction on acceptable giving. He teaches both concerning the manner and the amount to be given. God is a giver and He expects His children to give. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The cheerful giver opens his life to many blessings from God. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). Let us learn to be cheerful givers:

THE CHEERFUL GIVER SOWS BOUNTIFULLY…

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Our giving must be a matter of generosity and not grudging obligation (2 Corinthians 9:5). The result of bountiful giving is the windows of heaven being opened and an abundance of blessings being poured out; so many the cheerful giver could not receive them all (Malachi 3:8-10).

THE CHEERFUL GIVER PLANS OR PURPOSES HIS GIVING…

Scriptural giving does not happen by accident. It is accomplished by thoughts and design. “So let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Those who make no plans in their giving offer God only the scraps. God expects and deserves more! Let us prayerfully consider our blessings and give accordingly.

THE CHEERFUL GIVER HAS A PART IN GOOD WORKS…

Christians give generously and many good works are accomplished. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Doors are open for benevolence and evangelism. Liberal, cheerful giving makes possible an abundance of good works.

THE CHEERFUL GIVER WILL INCREASE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS…

There is no greater need than the need for righteousness in the lives of God’s people. God increases the fruits of righteousness in the life of the cheerful giver. “(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness)” (2 Corinthians 9:9-10). In cheerful giving Christians come to see righteousness developed in their lives and the lives of others.

THE CHEERFUL GIVER IS A GAINER, NOT A LOSER…

God, in providence, blesses the cheerful giver. “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your good, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). God blesses us with that which will supply the needs of our own family and also bless others through benevolence and evangelism. God will multiply the seed sown. You give cheerfully and God will help you do even more.

THE CHEERFUL GIVER IS A BLESSING TO MANY…

Christians should stand ready to bless saints and all men. “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for you liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men” (2 Corinthians 9:12-13). Cheerful giving will lead to God receiving glory. God is glorified when the poor are helped. This glory comes from all who are involved or who know of the things which are done.

THE CHEERFUL GIVER IS MOTIVATED BY GOD’S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT…

The precious gift of Jesus for our salvation motivates our giving. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pt 1:18-19). God’s wonderful gift stirs our heart to sincerity and cheerfulness in our giving and our service to others. God has blessed us by giving His Son. Let us be cheerful givers also.

Nothing blesses the life of a Christian more than cheerful giving. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves tresures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). The grace of God and His great gift to us demands our cheerful and liberal giving. Does your giving please God?

… … P.O. Box 551, Greenville, AL 36037

A little girl who loved the Lord longed to share the message of

salvation with those who had never heard it. So she contributed a

penny to a missionary to help with the work of evangelizing the people

of Burma. That small coin was all she had, but it was given from her

heart. The worker on the foreign field was deeply touched by the

child's earnestness and decided he would do the most he could with the

money. After careful thought he purchased a Gospel tract and

personally gave it to a young chieftain. Apparently the Christian did

not know that the tribal leader was not educated well enough to read

it. God instilled within the ruler a burning desire to know the

meaning of the leaflet, however, and he traveled 250 miles to find

someone who could translate it for him. After he heard the Gospel

message, it wasn't long until the young chief was gloriously

converted. Returning to his people, he told them what the Lord had

done for his soul. Later he invited missionaries to come and preach

to his entire village, and many tribesmen who heard the good news

accepted the Savior. All this and probably much more resulted from

one dedicated penny given in Christ's name by a little girl who wanted

the lost to hear about Jesus!

Don't wait until you can do "great things" to start working for the

Master. God can do wonders with dedicated little things.

John Wesley, when he was eighty-seven years of age, with all the wealth of a vast Christian experience behind him, and standing on the threshold of another world, said: "One great reason of the comparative failure of Christianity has been the neglect of the solemn words, 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth'" (Matthew 6:19). "In the last days men shall be lovers of money" (2 Timothy 3:2). The Holy Spirit has expressed the command thus: "Charge them that are rich in this present age, that they be... ready to distribute, willing to communicate their wealth; laying up in store" -- for that is how treasure is sent ahead -- "a good foundation" -- a substantial sum in the heavenly funds -- "against the time to come" -- the coming season or age -- "that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed" (1 Timothy 6:17-19) -- the glory of millennial life.

"I make no purse," said Whitefield, when stopping a public subscription for himself in Edinburgh. "What I have, I give away. 'Poor, yet making many rich' shall be my motto still."

My Source: DRL Sermons

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ELIEZER, FAITHFUL STEWARD

by David Lemmons

Introduction:

1. If there ever was an example of a faithful steward,

surely that one was Eliezer… Genesis 15:2--"And Abram

said, ... the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of

Damascus."

1- While it is not certain, in that the name is not used,

Eliezer is most likely the same steward of which we

read in Genesis 24.

2- The benefit of an example is and always has been

recognized as a GOOD TEACHER.

3- We can benefit from the example of Eliezer.

2. There are many lessons for us regarding our own

stewardship responsibilities and how best to accomplish

them in the example God provided us in Genesis 24.

3. If we will do as Eliezer did in exercising our own

stewardship, when we give account, we will hear it said:

Matthew 25:21--"His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou]

good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a

few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

4. May we learn well the lessons of stewardship from

Eliezer!

DISCUSSION: Regarding his stewardship, Eliezer--

________________________________________

1. TOOK SERIOUSLY HIS STEWARDSHIP

RESPONSIBILITIES (24:2-6).

________________________________________

1. When challenged with the VERY IMPORTANT task

of finding a wife for Isaac, Eliezer said… Genesis 24:5--

"And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman

will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must

I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence

thou camest?"

2. The question which Eliezer raises is a very good one.

3. He wanted to know what his responsibility was.

4. He wanted to be very sure about how SUCCESS was

to be measured in the eyes of his master.

5. We might just as well say: ELIEZER WENT TO

SCHOOL ABOUT STEWARDSHIP.

1) Finding out what exactly was involved in the charge

Abraham gave him.

2) He asked questions because he knew he would be

unable to complete the task without fully

understanding just what was expected of him.

6. You and I need to STUDY WELL what God has

revealed to us about our stewardship responsibilities.

7. If we are to be faithful stewards, as was Eliezer, we

will be interested to know how God defines

FAITHFULNESS.

________________________________________

2. HAD THE, "IF GOD IS WITH ME, I CAN DO IT,"

ATTITUDE (24:7-9).

________________________________________

1. When Abraham told Eliezer that God "shall send

his angel before thee" (v. 7) and when Abraham told

Eliezer that if the woman refused to come with him

he would be released (v. 8), Eliezer "sware to him"

(v. 9).

2. Eliezer had seen how God had blessed Abraham.

3. Eliezer was given confident assurance when Abraham

explained that this was part of God's plan and that

God would be looking out for him.

4. Isn't this the same confident assurance that David had

when he went up against Goliath? … 1 Samuel 17:45--

"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me

with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I

come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the

God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."

5. Isn't it the same attitude that Caleb had when, at the

age of 85, … Joshua 14:12--"Now therefore give me

this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day;

for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims [were]

there, and [that] the cities [were] great [and] fenced: if

so be the LORD [will be] with me, then I shall be able

to drive them out, as the LORD said."

6. As we go about our work as Christians, considering

the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20, OUGHT NOT

THIS TO BE OUR SAME ATTITUDE today???

________________________________________

3. WENT TO W-O-R-K (24:10).

________________________________________

1. Genesis 24:10--"And the servant took ten camels of

the camels of his master, and departed; for all the

goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose,

and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor."

2. NOTICE the VERBS!!!

3. Verbs are ACTION words and that is exactly what

Eliezer did--he went into action to carry out the task

assigned to him.

4. We will never be faithful stewards unless and until

we see the importance of ACTION.

5. We must not fear the little 4-letter word: W-O-R-K!!!

________________________________________

4. WAS WILLING TO GO TO A FAR

COUNTRY (24:10).

________________________________________

1. Was this an easy thing that was assigned to Eliezer?

2. NO! It would involve travel to a far country, to a

different culture, and many "unknowns," along the

way (400+ miles).

3. However, we have here a dedicated servant who had

a sincere desire to please his master and who

understood fully his stewardship responsibility.

4. Likely, also, Eliezer would have recognized the

tremendous importance of the task assigned him

and would thus undertake this difficult journey

willingly in appreciation of the confidence placed

in him.

5. Such confidence motivated Eliezer to take on a

difficult and perhaps even dangerous task.

6. Can we see how this confidence placed in Eliezer

might be a type of the confidence God has placed

in us?

________________________________________

5. PRAYED TO GOD ABOUT HIS STEWARDSHIP

(24:12-14).

________________________________________

1. Listen and learn from Eliezer's prayer…

Genesis 24:12--"And he said, O LORD God of my

master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed

this day, and shew kindness unto my master

Abraham."

2. Eliezer had been told that God would be involved

in this assignment he had been given by Abraham

(v. 7).

3. He now called upon God for His blessings in the

carrying out of his charge.

4. How often have we ever prayed to God in such a

plain and simple way to ask for God's blessings

upon our own feeble attempts to serve Him?

1) Do we even know where to begin such a prayer?

2) Have we ever thought: "for what should I pray?"

5. If we have been going along in our attempts to serve

God and have never gotten around to asking God to

bless our efforts in a SPECIFIC area, maybe that is

a part of why we have not been all that successful

in our efforts.

6. Eliezer had his eyes upon Mesopotamia because

travel to that place was a part of his stewardship

responsibility, BUT the wisdom of Eliezer is seen

in that he asked God to speed his way there.

7. Today we are wise to seek God's blessings upon

each of our individual efforts to carry out our own

stewardship.

________________________________________

6. RECOGNIZED THAT GOD HAD BLESSED HIS

EFFORTS (24:15-21, 27).

________________________________________

1. Notice: Verse 21--"And the man wondering at her

held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his

journey prosperous or not."

Notice Verse 27--"And he said, Blessed [be] the

LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not

left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth:

I [being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house

of my master's brethren."

2. Eliezer considered himself to be an instrument used

by God to bring about the assigned task.

3. What if all of us would think in a similar way?

4. In the reporting that Paul did on his labors, it is

interesting that he thought similar thoughts--

Acts 14:27… "And when they were come, and had

gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that

God had done with them, and how he had opened the

door of faith unto the Gentiles."

5. When we think about 6 BILLION souls on the planet

and that the vast majority of them are LOST, we might

tend to become discouraged unless we things of

ourselves as instruments to be used of God in

carrying out His will.

________________________________________

7. GAVE THANKS TO GOD FOR BLESSING HIS

EFFORTS (24:26-27).

________________________________________

1. BUT, not only did Eliezer recognize God's

superintendence, he also gave thanks to God for it…

Genesis 24:27--"And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD

God of my master Abraham, who hath not left

destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I

[being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house

of my master's brethren."

2. How often is this important step left out

(c.f., WHERE ARE THE NINE? Luke 17:17)?

3. A faithful steward will not be forgetful to give

thanks to God for allowing him to serve.

________________________________________

8. WOULD NOT LEAVE THE TASK HALF DONE

BY BEING DIVERTED TO SOME OTHER TASK

(24:33).

________________________________________

1. Listen to the urgency felt by Eliezer… Genesis 24:33

--"And there was set [meat] before him to eat: but

he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand.

And he said, Speak on."

2. This man would not even eat until he had let it been

known what his business was.

3. How often does it happen that we begin to carry out

some responsibility we have as stewards of God and

let our attention wander to something else--NEVER

TO COMPLETE THE ORIGINAL TASK???

4. We need the "one-mindedness" of Eliezer in the

work of the Lord.

________________________________________

9. HAD WORDS OF PRAISE FOR HIS MASTER

(24:33-35).

________________________________________

1. Eliezer knew that Abraham was a good man and he

seemed genuinely thankful to tell others about him.

2. Certainly Christians have the greatest Master anyone

ever could have and we ought often speak to others

words of praise for Him!!!

________________________________________

10. WAS BOLD TO STATE HIS CHARGE

(24:36-49).

________________________________________

1. Eliezer had a job to do and he went right to it.

2. He was not timid about explaining the circumstances

which brought him there.

3. He openly laid before Laban and Bethuel the facts

that were relevant to his coming before them that day.

4. On another occasion, men behaved with identical

boldness… Acts 4:13--"Now when they saw the

boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they

were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them, that they had been

with Jesus."

5. I fear that Christians today have lost a lot of that

boldness which was so characteristic of the saints in

the first century.

6. We have a message of salvation and a part of our

stewardship responsibility is to proclaim it to the

world (Matthew 28:18-20), may we learn a lesson from

ELIEZER to deliver our message without compromise

or fear.

7. Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 3:15.

________________________________________

11. HAD SUCCESS FROM HIS HUMBLE SERVICE

(24:50-51).

________________________________________

1. Verses 50 and 51 show that Eliezer achieved success

from his efforts.

2. If we treat our stewardship with the same seriousness

with which Eliezer did, surely God will bless our feeble

efforts as well.

________________________________________

12. WOULD NOT ALLOW THE COMPLETION OF

THE TASK TO BE HINDERED (24:55-59).

________________________________________

1. Here was another occasion when the attention of

Eliezer could have been diverted--when he was invited

to put of his return trip for at least 10 days (v. 55).

2. We have to admire the urgency with which Eliezer

continued to be targeted toward completing the task.

3. Surely one of Satan's strongest aids is

PROCRASTINATION.

4. If we will simply put off our faithful service to the

Lord, Satan develops a large grin.

5. Satan knows that faithful stewards are single minded

individuals who will not allow themselves to be

hindered in the carrying out of God's will.

________________________________________

13. GAVE ACCOUNT OF HIS STEWARDSHIP

(24:66).

________________________________________

1. Notice carefully verse 66--And the servant told

Isaac all things that he had done.

2. Matthew 25 shows that each person will some day

do the same accounting of stewardship that this one

did to his master.

3. Eliezer was able to give account to Abraham as a

FAITHFUL steward--Will we likewise be able to

give the accounting to our Lord???

Conclusion:

1. Stewardship is a broad concept which is helped

greatly by a living example and the account of

Eliezer, steward of Abraham's house ought to be

helpful to us in better understanding stewardship.

2. Let it be our intention to be faithful like Eliezer.

David Lemmons... dlemmons@hcis.net

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| My Source:

| BEACON, Volume XXVII, #13, March 29, 1999

|------------------------------

| Author: Lynn Parker

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WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

By Lynn Parker

The setting for Malachi's great question can be summed up in this manner. Babylonian Captivity is no longer fresh on the minds of the Israelites. Jerusalem has been restored, the temple has been rebuilt, and prosperity has replaced despair. No, they no longer serve Baal, but they are again in very real danger of leaving Jehovah God. The Jews go through the motions of ritualistic religion--saying and doing the right things in form--but their collective heart is just not set on fervent, zealous pursuit of holiness, righteousness, and love of God. Growing spiritually complacent and increasingly worldly, God's people fall down at idols of pleasure, indifference, and materialism.

Rather than honoring God with their firstfruits--their best--Israel was indicted for offering to God "polluted bread" (Malachi 1:7) and sacrifices that were blind, lame, and sick (Malachi 1:8). The Law clearly commanded: "But whatsovever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord to accomplish his vow, or a freewil offering in beeves of sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein" (Leviticus 22:20-21).

In the midst of this message of admonition and rebuke comes the haunting question of Malachi 3:8: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

No person in his right mind thinks of attempting to rob Ft. Knox of the gold stored there. Will man be so arrogant, so presumptuous, so irrational, so stupid to rob Almighty God of that which belongs to Him? The answer, sadly, is "Yes." Man has robbed God for centuries. The Israelites did it, modern man does it, and some members of the Lord's body do it--often without a pang of conscience. Notice in Malachi 3:8-10 the salient points in this confrontation between Deity and Israel.

1. First, the accusation of sin: "Yet ye have robbed me."

2. Second, the denial by God's people: "Wherein have

we robbed thee?"

3. Third, note the consequences of their sin: "Ye are

cursed with a curse."

4. Four, see the remedy of repentance: "Bring ye all

the tithes into the storehouse."

5. Last, note the promise of blessing: "prove me now

herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open

you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a

blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

You do not have to dig too deeply to see the modern application of ancient principles set forth by the prophet Malachi. An entire society is enthralled with self-gratification. No, we're speaking not just of ancient Israel, but the contemporary United States as well! Indeed, "One Nation Under God" has become a people that have no time for religion, even though righteousness would exalt it (Proverbs 14:34). Hit the golf ball, fish the lake, make time for aerobics, take the two-week vacation, run the kids to Little League, but don't you dare expect God to get anything but leftovers! It is tragic to see congregations barely make the same budget each year when the brethren comprising the congregation receive raises, take on more charge card payments, buy new cars, and live in finer houses. All the while, mission workers grovel for crumbs that fall from the rich man's table and preachers cry for more workers to help in the kingdom. In many congregations, the various programs of work are supported by the same blessed few brethren. The majority don't have the time--or perhaps the zeal--to serve God.

Don't be too smug when judging ancient Israel. The Lord's church needs to hear this lesson from Malachi. The Israelites are, at the time of Malachi's work, the spiritual equivalent of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14ff) who were so self-deluded and lukewarm they incurred the sternest of rebukes from the Lord. The Laodiceans were in denial, thinking themselves to be spiritual giants when the Lord portrayed them as "lukewarm." Israel may have thought that "no one will notice" as they gave God the culls, but the fact is that God's "eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings" (Job 34:21). Jesus told the Laodiceans, "I know thy works" (Revelation 3:15). God knows what money is in our hands, what effort we could be expending, what opportunities come our way, and what talent we have.

A few examples are in order...

1. A preacher contacted a wealthy brother in another location for help in a new work. The brother declined saying that all of his money was being poured into the local work where he lived. Several months later, it was learned that the man--a millionaire--gave only a twenty-dollar bill each week to the local work and when asked to help in a coordinated effort of the local congregation, he gave not so much as a dime! "Will a man rob God?"

2. A teenage member of the church has his own job, a steady income, a relatively nice car, but does not give of his means at all, saying, "My parents do my giving for me." "Will a man rob God?"

3. A couple takes on extra jobs to provide for a vacation cottage in a resort area but now are so busy either working to pay for it, or spending every free moment there, that they rarely show up for work efforts and visitation of the local church. "Will a man rob God?"

4. A member of the church as the talent and the knowledge to teach Bible class but because of "burn out," lethargy, or just plain laziness, he refuses to lift a finger to help in the greatest work known to man. "Will a man rob God?"

5. A family sits down to an evening of television and telephone until they can barely hold their eyes open, then drag off to bed. They are too tired to study their Bible, too indifferent to discuss spiritual matters, and too carnal to pray together. How often this must happen! They rise up on Sunday morning unprepared for Bible classes and too sleepy to worship acceptably. "Will a man rob God?"

The fact is that we can easily duplicate Israel's sin in our own lives. Neglect (James 4:17), indifference (Revelation 3:16), and love of the world (1 John 2:15-17) can incur the wrath of Heaven and withhold the blessings of God from our homes and congregations (see Jeremiah 5:25). God's promise of blessings are conditional. The beauty of God's message is that when we become "zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:19), God will open the windows of heaven and shower us with the blessings we need (Malachi 3:10; Matthew 6:33).

It is not enough to attend church services and pronounce yourself faithful. God requires the best from you, and He will accept nothing less. Serve Him joyfully, energetically. Giving sacrifices that cost little or nothing (2 Samuel 24:24) may be a popular way to ease the conscience but it's also a sure road to hell.

1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God

And His righteousness,

And all these things shall

be added unto you —

Allelu, alleluia!

2. Man shall not live by bread alone,

But by ev’ry word

That proceeds from

the mouth of God,

Allelu, alleluia!

3. Ask and it shall be given unto you,

Seek and ye shall find,

Knock and it shall

be opened unto you —

Allelu, alleluia!

Stewardship or Greed or Wisdom

Tommy's house is packed with relatives for Christmas dinner. Grandpa calls

6yr. old Tommy aside and starts asking about school, girl friends, and other

stuff that he could think of. After a while grandpa notices that Tommy is

losing interest in the conversation so he pulls two bills from his wallet to see

if he can keep him interested. A ten and a twenty dollar bill. He shows both

bills to Tommy and tells him he can keep any one he chooses. Tommy reaches over

and takes the ten dollar bill.

Grandpa is pretty surprised and upset about the unwise decision his grandson

had made so he pulls out another ten dollar bill to see if it was a mistake.

Again he tells Tommy to take the one of his choice and again Tommy takes the

ten. Once again Grandpa is surprised and upset. So he takes Tommy over to one

of his uncles to show him how dumb Tommy is, and the whole process is repeated

in the exact same manner. Throughout the day Grandpa makes a point of showing

Tommy's poor decisions to everyone in the house. Finally he shows the stunt to

Tommy's father. A few hours later Tommy's father could wait no longer so he

got Tommy aside and asks if he knows the difference between a ten dollar bill

and a twenty. "Of course." answers Tommy. "So, why did you always choose the

ten instead of the twenty?" asked Dad.

Tommy smiles real big, pulls out a wad of $10 bills and replies, "Well, if

I had taken the twenty, do you think Grandpa would have played the game eight

more times?" Submitted by Paul Groves, Louisville, KY

When my friend Floyd was a little boy, he was taken to church with his family more Sundays than he could ever count. But for some reason, one of those experiences stands out specially in his mind ... that Sunday, as every Sunday, the six members of the family were stuffed into the cab of the family truck for the trip to church. As they went into the church that day, my friend's father gave him a nickel and a penny to put in the offering - which he vividly remembers doing. He even remembers that he put it in a little brown envelope.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "The Only Things You Have To Give."

My friend told me that he was really excited to give that offering - realizing all the time that all he had to give was what his father had given him. Actually, that's all you and I have to give - what our Father in Heaven has given us.

That's really clear in our word for today from the Word of God in 2 Corinthians 9, beginning with verse 6. "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously ... 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 ... 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."

Notice: the things we have - the money, the talents, all our gifts - are "seed to sow." Not seed to eat ourselves or to store in the barn, but to sow into things that matter to God. But even the seed we have to sow is given to us by our Father. And He loves it when, like my friend giving his boyhood offering, we give it cheerfully, enthusiastically.

Now since the only things we have to give are things our Father has given us, there's no excuse for three mistakes we tend to make with the things we have. First, there's no excuse for being proud about what we're giving. As 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks, "What do you have that you did not receive?" Sometimes, those who make major contributions to the work of God, either with their financial gifts or their spiritual gifts, tend to take a little pride in what their giving ... tend to even expect special treatment or to be given control. But that makes no sense - you're only giving what your Father placed in your hand!

There's also no excuse for using what your Father gave you for yourself! Can you imagine my friend taking what had been given to him as an offering and going out and spending it on something for himself? It would have been wrong for him - it's wrong for us. And, there's no excuse for holding back on giving generously to God's work on earth - why would my friend have held back on that boyhood offering when his father had given it to him to give? You can even dare to give above and beyond what you can afford, if He moves you to. You can dare to give by faith, not just based on what you can see in your hand. Not just based on what you can afford to give. After all, you can only give what your Father puts in your hand, and what He leads you to give ... He will put into your hand.

Here's your Father's great promise - "You will be made rich in every way..." - sounds good, doesn't it? Now listen to the reason why He gives it to you - "so that you can be generous on every occasion." (2 Corinthians 9:11)

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

*

The rest of world seeks to out-green each other in recognition of what is known as Earth Day. This day should cause those of us who place ourselves under the authority of scriptural truth on such matters to reflect on the Bible’s teaching about God’s creation.

What is a truly biblical view of creation and the environment and humanity’s relation to, and responsibility, for it?

A Christian view of creation joyously affirms that God created all things. The basic, foundational proposition of biblical environmentalism is that God reveals Himself as the Creator (Genesis 1:1).

The New Testament, as well as Genesis, maintains that God created all things (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16-17; cf. Romans 11:36). God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit brought the created world into existence. God the Father is the source, planner and originator of this world (Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6). God the Son is the agent, the One doing the action or work of creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). God the Holy Spirit is the One lovingly and paternally hovering over the earth, giving it shape and form and beauty.

Thus, a biblical approach to environmental issues affirms without equivocation that “the earth is the Lord’s” (Psalm 24:1). God, and God alone, is creation’s owner. However, the Bible also tells us that God gave human beings dominion (Hebrew “radah,” meaning “to rule”) over the creation and a directive to subdue it (Hebrew “kabash,” meaning “to bring into bondage”) (Genesis 1:26-28). These are strong, dominant words in the biblical text that leave no room for doubt that God placed human beings first in the created order.

The primacy of humanity in God’s creation is further underscored by the fact that God created Adam prior to God having prepared his habitation -- the garden. Genesis 2:8 is quite clear that having created Adam (Genesis 2:7), God “planted a garden in Eden” and there God “put the man whom he had formed.” Then in Genesis 2:15, God placed man in the habitation He had prepared for him, with instructions to “dress it and to keep it.” The verb “dress” (avadh) means “to work, to till” and keep (shamar) means “to keep, guard, protect.”

Thus, man had primacy in God’s creation, and as His stewards and vice-regents, men were to “dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15), which means to cause it to bring forth its fruit and to be developed in renewable ways for human benefit and betterment.

This divinely decreed and designed human preeminence and responsibility in the created order survived the calamity of man’s Fall (Genesis 3:1-19). After the flood, God told Noah, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, now I give you everything” (Genesis 9:3 NIV). The Psalmist declared that God has given man “dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas” (Psalm 8:6-8 ESV).

God’s watchcare of His creation survived the Fall, and in Genesis 9:8-17 God told Noah He has established a covenant “with you and with every living creature” (NIV). Then He spoke of a “covenant between me and the earth.” And the sign of that covenant was the rainbow.

God’s design for creation, even after the Fall, included divinely imposed limits on what man may do to God’s creation and those other creatures with whom God has entered into covenant. Throughout the Pentateuch we find divinely mandated limitations concerning what man may do with, and to, the rest of God’s creation:

• Fields are not to be reaped to the border (Leviticus 19:9).

• The grower may harvest only from trees five years old (Leviticus 19:25).

• The land is to be idle regularly (Leviticus 25:1-12).

• Fruit trees may not be used for siege works (Deuteronomy 20:19).

• A mother bird is not to be taken with her young (Deuteronomy 22:6).

• An ox is not to be muzzled when treading corn (Deuteronomy 25:4).

The creation belongs to God. As stewards of His property, human beings are responsible to Him for developing and protecting His creation.

Furthermore, while God clearly grants preeminence to human beings in His creation and human life demands reverence as created in His image (Genesis 1:26), all life deserves respect. We have the right to use animals and plants for human good. We do not have the right to disregard living things or to treat them as inanimate objects. We have the right to domesticate and raise cattle and other livestock for human sustenance. We do not have the right to act in a callous, cruel or cavalier manner toward any living creature.

We have the right to use, as painlessly as possible, animals in research to better human health. We do not have the right to abuse animals or to cause them discomfort merely to develop new cosmetics or other products of convenience.

These biblical passages further reveal that as stewards of God’s property we are responsible to develop, but not to desecrate or dissipate, God’s creation. We are required to develop God’s creation and to bring forth its fruit and increase for human benefit. The Lord’s Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) underscores the Genesis admonition to “dress” the garden. There, the servant who buried his talent was seriously castigated for his poor stewardship and lack of productivity with the talent (resources) entrusted to his care (Matthew 25:24-29).

As Christ-followers we must repent of past insensitivity and neglect of our stewardship responsibilities to God’s created order. There is a distinctively Christian response to environmental concerns, even if it has not been clearly articulated often enough in the recent past.

My faith does not allow me to condone Western Civilization’s often callous and flagrant disregard of nature and the environment.

There are instances in which I will share the concerns and solutions offered by secular environmentalists. Often I will disagree, however, because I have a different perspective, mandated by Scripture, which leads to different priorities and will often require different conclusions and different actions.

What we believe about who we are as human beings and what our relationship is to our Heavenly Creator and His creation will be ultimately determinative in how we deal with environmental issues.

________

Richard Land is president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

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[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #11588]