The Value of Stewardship

WHY SHOULD I GIVE?
Before asking, "How much?" to give, shouldn't I first ask, "Why should I give at all?" "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

• God has created and given us everything.
  "...there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live."
  1 Corinthians 8:6
• God owns all that we have.
  "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it." Psalm 24:1
• We belong to God.
  "You are not your own, you were bought with a price." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• We are accountable to Him.
  "...each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12
• Application:
  Acknowledge that God is the creator. He sustains and owns each of us and all our possessions.

HOW SHOULD I GIVE?

• Give as a first priority.
  Our offering should be the first part that is decided, not what is left over.
  "Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God." Exodus 23:19
• Give as a part of worship.
  Our offering is an important part of our act of worship.
  "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts." Psalm 96:8
• Give regularly
  "On the first day of every week each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income." 1 Corinthians 16:12
• Give joyfully!
  If we give a worthy proportion as a part of our worship, we find that giving can be joyful.
  "The churches, out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." 2 Corinthians 8:2
  
• Application:
  Make a decision to give worshipfully, regularly, and joyfully to the Lord.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
The tithe, or one-tenth, is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.

• In the Old Testament
  "A tithe of everything from the Lord whether grain from the field or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Leviticus 27:30
• In the New Testament
  Jesus said, "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone." Luke 11:42
• Generously
  "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." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
  
• Application:
  Decide how much you will give. Work toward the biblical standard and watch God honor your gifts!

WHY GIVE TO ACCTS?
Beyond the why, how, and how much of giving, this final question addresses how the money is used.

The costs of a ministry like ours is high. It takes significant financial resources to pay for publications and travel. Additionally, office salaries, operating expenses, and our commitment to assist in the development of Christian leaders in the armed forces of the world and in the establishment and growth of military Christian fellowships are all part of our annual budget. Our income is based entirely upon your generous gifts and tithes.

"But just as you excel in everything --- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --- see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7

THE CHALLENGE

• In terms of giving, we need to take seriously the challenge to give back to the Lord, as well as recognize His promise to reward our faithfulness. Individually, God promises to reward our personal stewardship.
  "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!" Matthew 25:21
• God promises to pour out his blessings in response to our giving.
  "Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

We ask that you sincerely pray and ask the Lord to consider giving to ACCTS on a regular basis.