UNIT 5
MANAGING VALUES
AND RESOURCESRECAP Contents
TEACHINGThe Biblical concept of a Manager?
LEARNING ABOUT THE BIBLE
Our accountability
Values and priorities
The Christian and money
Tithing principles
Some practical aspects of Christian giving
LifestyleFinding Bible passages
LEARNING ABOUT PRAYER and WORSHIPPrayer for yourself
PERSONAL STUDY
Why?
JOURNAL
Recap Unit(4) on sharing our faith. The Biblical concept of a Manager? Older translations of the Bible use the term 'Steward' in place of our common day use of the title 'Manager'. The term 'steward' may leave us a little uncertain as to its original meaning. Today we are likely to think of a steward on a ship or train, or perhaps a flight attendant. Yet the original meaning was much broader and more significant than 'manager' means to us today. The biblical idea of a steward combined servanthood and management responsibility together. How is this different to today's common perception of ambitions, like climbing up the corporate ladder? We would be closer to the Biblical meaning if we think of a situation where an owner of a country property goes overseas for an extended period and appoints a manager to take full responsibility for all the affairs of the property. Or similarly, the owner of a business installs a manager to be fully responsible to operate the company in the owner's absence. Another parallel could be the choosing of guardians for your children. Maybe in your experience, it could be the giving of a close friend the power of attorney, to be totally responsible for all your money and property while you are away. Discuss: If you were such an owner, what are the qualities you would like to see in the manager
you would appoint over your affairs? |
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The Biblical concept of a steward is an important subject, addressed by Jesus in much of His teaching. Please read through the following parables and note down what they teach about stewardship. (With parables, don't get bogged down with detail or analysis - simply draw out the main point of the story): | ||
The faithful servant | Matthew_24:45-51 | Luke_12:35-48 |
The shrewd manager | Luke_16:1-15 | |
The talents | Matthew_25:14-30 | Luke_19:12-27 |
Servants and their duty | Luke_17:7-10 | |
Stewardship involves the following important considerations:
We are all accountable before God for our stewardship of the resources He places at our disposal. It is not a question of how much we have, but how wisely and properly we are using what we already have! How are we going against the above check list? Consider the following teaching of Jesus:
Discuss:
"The Earth is the Lord's Read the following three scriptures: Christian discipleship challenges us to come to terms with questions such as: Where did we come from (Genesis_2:7)? Where are we going? What will we leave with? Whose resources are they anyway? How are we using them? The first scripture from Paul (above) teaches us that in the final judgment the results of our lives will be put to the test. The things in our lives that have been achieved by godly means and built on Jesus values will last, those which haven't will be destroyed. From 1_Corinthians_3:12-16, list some typical pursuits and values which correspond to "wood, hay straw" - - and compare these with godly pursuits and things of eternal value which correspond to "gold, silver and costly stones": |
Temporary Values ("wood, hay, straw") | Eternal Values ("gold, silver", etc) |
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The Bible has a lot to say about money. Money is important. It has a far greater influence on us than we imagine. A central teaching of Jesus on money is found in Matthew_6:19-34. Please allow time to meditate on this passage later. For now, lets focus on the following verses:
In these scriptures is a principle and a promise!
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Tithing principles
Tithing is an Old Testament principle of offering the first 10% of our income or gain to the Lord. This principle can be found in the following passages:
The Christian is not under law but under grace. This Old Testament direction is not a legally binding rule for Christians, but is a very helpful base guideline and principle for Christian giving. It contains within it the crucial idea that the first and best of the results of our labour go to God, because in the end we are totally dependent on Him for our existence. How can we apply the principles of tithing in our gifts and offerings as Christians? The
above scriptures suggest the following:
Our giving should be of the "
first fruits" of our gain, Some practical aspects of Christian giving The above principles from the O.T. are confirmed in the gospels and in other N.T. passages such as: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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". (2_Corinthians_9:6) Without wishing to 'lay down the law' about giving, you may like to consider the appropriateness of the following suggestions:
It is especially our responsibility
With regard to gross or net income for determining our giving, it is observed that the O.T. principles of tithing was established in a society free of Government taxation. Today, much of our taxation serves to support social welfare, and so our application of the tithing principle seems to more reasonably apply to after-tax remuneration. Today the average working person budgets out of their net pay - because the 'Government take' is out of their control. If it was felt that 10% of net was inadequate for our giving, we can simply increase the percentage. Many Christians give much more than a tenth. In the end, this remains an area of individual decision before God, according to our means. (See 2_Corinthians_8:12). Sacrificial giving - the fundamental New Testament principle of giving is sacrificial generosity. The most important thing is a generous heart which gives by faith, and trusts for our provision. Read 2_Corinthians_8:1-9 as an example from the early church. On the other hand, if after meeting our basic needs our disposable income
keeps increasing - do we 'hoard' or use it all to obtain more possessions - or do we take
the opportunity to invest further in 'things of eternal value'?
We need to be careful not to become legalistic about our giving,
Whether it is the "widow's mite" (Mark_12:41-44), or whatever...
The following is a list of references on giving for further consideration: |
Lifestyle
One of the dangers of our western culture is that with an increase in our disposable income we are enticed to increase our spending uncritically. Our fundamental needs may not have changed but instead of using any increased disposable income to meet other's needs or expand Christian ministry, our society places tremendous pressure on us to buy more things. Read 2_Corinthians_8:12-15 in the light of the following questions:
The question of our faith and lifestyle priorities is far more wide reaching than our giving. It impacts all aspects of our society and environment. This will be the subject of further study in a later unit. |
Unit 5: Learning About The Bible [Next Section]