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The Biblical Imperatives of Christian Stewardship The Biblical Imperatives of Christian Stewardship “It is required of steward that one be found worthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2). What is Stewardship?What is Stewardship? The ter m Stewardship is derived from the Greek word, “Oikonomos” a combination of “Oikos” which means “house” and “nomos” means “law”, “custom”, “management”, or “administration” (Luke 16:1-2; Galatians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10). Thus, Stewardship (Oikonomia) literally means “a management or an administration of a household.” In that sense, we can say that Christian Stewardship is a proper use of God-given life: time, talent, and treasure. Christian Stewardship is a practice of systematic and proportional giving of time, abilities and material possessions based on the conviction that these are a trust from God, to be used In His ser vice for the benefit of all mankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love (National Council of Churches in USA, 1950). 11

Why should we GIVE our Pledge/ Tithe? Why should we GIVE our Pledge/ Tithe? First and foremost, our life and everything that we have are all borrowed from God the Creator and Owner of all living and non-living creatures. He only entrusted us as MANAGERS NOT OWNERS of everything we have (Psalm 24:1, 115:16). Therefore, as good stewardship, it is our bounden duty to give Our Monthly Tithe/Pledge. AS AN ACT OF THANKS-GIVING TO GOD. AS AN ACT OF THANKS-GIVING TO GOD. God created everything good for our use, and He commanded us to thank Him of everything that we have received (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:6; Deuteronomy 12:18-19, see also 1 Timothy 4:4b), by giving our pledge/tithe offering from the fruits of our labor and of the land (Leviticus 27:39; Luke 12:48). We have to bear in mind that we give NOT because we want to (Leviticus 27:30; Matthew 25:21-23; Malachi 3:8) but because it is our obligation to God (Romans 12:1). 22

AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP TO GODAS AN ACT OF WORSHIP TO GOD To give is to worship and to worship is to give. Thus, worshipping and giving are inseparable. For God said, “Do not come to me empty handed” (Deuteronomy 16:16). Giving and sharing is pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18; Hebrew 13:16; Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30; Proverbs 3:9). AS A SUPPORT TO GOD’s MISSION AND MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH AS A SUPPORT TO GOD’s MISSION AND MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH The mission of God to the world was entrusted to the Church. His Body. This is the reason why God requires us to bring our offerings to the Church that will be used for the Programs, Administrative and Operating Expenses of the Church. (Melachi 3:10; Numbers 18:21; 2 Chronicle 31:5; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Nehemiah 10:37-39; Deuteronomy 14:23-28; Acts 2:45; Galatians 6:10; Hebrew 7:5). Any amount we give for our monthly pledge or tithe manifests our participation to the mission and ministry of God. 33

How do we give?How do we give? Everyone has received the blessings from GOD, Thus, God requires that GIVING must be: INDIVIDUAL according to what each one has received from God (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Luke 12:48; Romans 12:1). It means that Pledging or Tithing is an individual offering NOT by family or couple. Giving has no exemption, even the ordained are obliged to give their pledge or tithe from the stipend they received (Numbers 18:25-28). Children are also required to have their individual pledges. Hence, the Church provides the pledge booklets/envelopes for every member of the congregation who filled up the Tithe/Pledge Commitment For m. DURING WORSHIP in the Church. As God requires us to attend the regular Sunday Mass and other He said, “Do not come to me empty handed” (Deuteronomy 16:16). 44

GENEROUSLY, HONESTLY AND CHEERFULLY. The Lord is very much pleased to those who offer with generosity, honestly and cheerfulness without reser vation and a feeling of compulsion, without expecting for a return. We give our offering because it is our obligation. God owns everything, and we are just giving it back to Him (Numbers 28:3, 29:19; 2 Chronicles 31:5, Corinthians 4:2). How much should I give?How much should I give? In giving, there is no standard amount, because circumstances and income vary so greatly. A decision must be a personal one, on the ground you alone know your income and your obligations. Tithing (10%) was a practice in the old. (Leviticus 27:30; Genesis 28:22; Malachi 3:10) while in the New Testament, Jesus emphasized a total (100%) of the income must be offered to God as a laudable offering which was exemplified by the widow who offered all that she had (Luke 21:1-4). Thus, in GIVING, whether it is a tithe or pledge. Jesus sees NOT the amount but our hearts with generosity, honesty, sincerity and cheerfulness. “For God loves the cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). 55

What benefits can we get from giving? What benefits can we get from giving? Remember that we cannot dectate God nor demand Him to give us His grace as a reward for our good deeds, but we believe that God should certainly give us the benefits of our faithful giving, such as: MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS God challenged the Israelites: “And thereby put me to the test, says the lord of host, if will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing...” (Melachi 3:10-12, see also Acts 20:35). “W hoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6; see also in Proverbs 11:25 and Luke 6:38). DIVINE PROTECTION. God will certainly protect the faithful ser vants, as what He promised to the Israelites: “I will rebuke the locust for you, so that, it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vein in the field will not be bar ren, says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:11). 66

ETERNAL REWARDS. Indeed, giving is practically and indispensable part of our investment in the Kingdom of God, which would merit us to eternal life. For Jesus said: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal: but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where treasure is there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Jesus will give a reward to the ser vant who remained faithful to Him, “Well done, good and faithful ser vant...enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21-23). ALL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. If all members of the Church are generously and regularly giving their pledges/tithes, the programs and projects will be smoothly and successfully implemented. 77

What would happen if we won’t give our pledge/tithe? What would happen if we won’t give our pledge/tithe? He who refuses to give will become weak and poor spiritually and mentally: “Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want” (Proverbs 11:24). You COME FROM God, You BELONG TO God, You are GOING TO God, Our Response: “... be doers of the word, and not hearers only...” (James 1:22). 88

YEAR ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORDMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 99

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1010

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1111

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1212

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1313

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1414

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1515

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1616

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORD YEARMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1717

YEAR ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION RECORDMONTH1st2nd3rd4th5thTOTALJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPTOCTNOVDECGRAND TOTAL= 1818