Day 30 – Thorns and Thistles

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: money, stewardship, work

Verse of the Day

Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:18–19 (ESV)

Action Step

Ask God to help you see how the curse has affected your work and how you can act in a redemptive way where you are.

Summary

Do you hate your job? A lot of people think that part of the curse is that we have to work. Work is not the curse. Work that doesn’t work, that’s the curse. Here’s what’s wrong with your job!

Day 29 – The 30 Day Checkup

Posted on Feb 6, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: budget, money, stewardship

Verse of the Day

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

Action Step

Do a 30 day evaluation of your budget, debt snowball goals, savings goals, and giving goals. Make adjustments as needed.

Summary

If we are to be faithful stewards, take inventory of these things every 30 days. Ask yourself, if I keep going like I’m going, where will I be in 30, 60, 90, 180 days?

Day 28 – Don’t Be a Mr. T Giver

Posted on Feb 5, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship |

Verse of the Day

⁶The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (ESV)

Action Step

Count your blessings. Look around your life and see how much God has given you.

Summary

Back in the 1980’s Mr. T came onto the scene with the saying, “I pity the fool . . .!” Many people envision God like an intimidating bully who demands that we give. But the Bible tells us that our God is glad and He loves cheerful givers! If you have a bad attitude about giving – keep your money! Here’s why.

Day 27 – Should I Give When Money is Tight?

Posted on Feb 3, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship |

Verse of the Day

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV)

Action Step

Manage your situation. You may give less, but prove faithful in the trial.

Summary

One of the most misapplied verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13. Many people use it as some sort of Christian steroid shot to help them be successful. But the verse isn’t about being more successful. It’s about being more faithful – AS A STEWARD! Should you give when money is tight? Here is your answer.

Day 26 – The Partnership of Giving

Posted on Feb 3, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: giving, money, stewardship

Verse of the Day

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:14–20 (ESV)

Action Step

Enter into a partnership of giving. Start first with your local church then expand from there.

Summary

You may think that your little bit won’t make much difference. But when you enter into a partnership of giving a little bit goes a long way.

Day 25 – Work Hard to Give

Posted on Feb 2, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: giving, money, stewardship, work

Verse of the Day

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)

Action Step

Buy something for yourself AND another one for someone else.

Summary

You work hard for what you have. Way to go! But the Bible doesn’t teach that we need to just work hard for what we have, but we need to work for what we give! Making a contribution to others will make your work more meaningful and enjoyable.

Day 24 – GIVE is NOT a 4-Letter Word

Posted on Feb 1, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: giving, money, stewardship

Verse of the Day

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

Action Step

Engage in an act of generosity. Tip your bowl! Pour it out!

Summary

A lot of people are offended by talk about giving. We shouldn’t be. How do we change our mentality toward giving? I can show you with a bowl!

Day 23 – Everyone Should Have Enough

Posted on Jan 31, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: money, poverty, stewardship

Verse of the Day

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 4:34–35 (ESV)

Action Step

Eliminate extra and give it to someone who doesn’t have enough.

Summary

One of the fundamental principles of stewardship is that God has created a world in which everyone should have enough. But something has gone wrong and created a deficit. Eliminate extra and give it to someone who needs it.

Day 22 – The Blessing of Giving

Posted on Jan 30, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: giving, money, stewardship

Verse of the Day

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

Action Step

Give and watch God bless.

Summary

The steward only needs one reason to give. The master commands it. But there is something else that happens when we give that serves as a motivation. God blesses giving. In this stewardship tip Brian Branam shares about a recent, but recurring, experience he and his family have in giving.

Day 21 – The Piggy Bank

Posted on Jan 29, 2022 in 40 Days of Stewardship | Tags: money, stewardship

Verse of the Day

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Proverbs 13:11

Action Step

Setup a way to use spare change to build your savings.

Summary

Brian mentioned that he uses Acorns to round up purchases. Here is more information about how to get started with Acorns. https://share.acorns.com/kggsm