Finance Lesson #03

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Syllabus

February 12, 2010

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Bible Perspectives
FINANCIAL TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE
Lesson #03
CONCEPT #1 OF MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY

• Memory verse: 1Cor 4:2

• As with all things in the Kingdom of God, the Christian life is cooperation between God and man to fulfill God’s plan for your life.
  • In our previous lesson we have studied the responsibility that God has in the system of finances in the Kingdom of God. Now we must learn man’s responsibilities.

 

• The responsibility that man has and the part that man fulfills in the economic system of God:
• Concept #1

 

• Man has the responsibility to be faithful in all ways.

• Read Luk 16:1-3
  • From this scripture we can see that God considers man to be a steward of his possessions.
    • We need to understand the word, steward.
      • The steward is the authority under God of all the possessions that belong to God.
        • Read Gen 1:26
        • Read Psa 8:4-6
• Before man can be the steward under the authority of God, he needs to know what things God wants man to do.
  • Read Mat 25:14-30
    • God has given man the responsibility to manage the possessions of God.
    • What are the criteria for judging the faithfulness of a steward?
      • The steward has to be faithful with the quantity that God gives him. It is not important if the quantity is a lot or if it is small.
    • God gives various quantities of money and possessions to man in various areas of life over which man must be faithful in his decisions of using that money and those possessions.
      • Notice from the parable, God requires that man be faithful over 100% of all the things that God gives him.
• Read 2Cor 5:9-10

• In light of this scripture, why must the believer be careful of all his decisions about money?
• God knows the thoughts and the actions of man.
  • Read Heb 4:13
• Man has a responsibility to God at the judgment seat of Christ for all his decisions in the Christian life.
  • Does God include financial decisions?
    • Read Rom 4:12-13
    • Read 1Cor 3:12-15
• The benefits of dealing with money faithfully:
  • There are four benefits of being a faithful steward:
    • =1= The faithful believer enjoys a more intimate relationship with the Lord.
      • Read Mat 25:1-2, 5, 10-13
    • =2= Using money develops the character of the believer.
      • Read Luk 7:41-48
      • Read 2Cor 9:10-12
        • How does money represent the quantity of love you have for the Lord?
        • How do the decisions about money develop the character of the believer?
    • =3= Economic circumstances teach the believer the concept of contentment.
      • Read Phi 4:11-12
        • Because the believer practices his faith by the use of money, he can be content.
    • =4= Man can have order in his finances.

 

• The Principles of Faithfulness:

 

• Because God wants the believer to be a faithful steward, we need to discover the important principles of faithfulness.
  • Principle #1
  • There is a price that the believer must pay if he misuses money and mistreats his possessions.
    • Read Luk 16:2-3
      • What is the price?
      • The reputation of the believer with respect to his stewardship becomes public knowledge and a part of the believer’s testimony.
  • The principle in reverse is that God gives the believer what the believer can manage with success.
    • God will not give more to the believer that misspends his money or mistreats his possessions.
• Principle #2
• Faithfulness in small things prepares a person for faithfulness in many things.
  • Read Luk 16:10-11
    • In what way is the use of money a test from God?
• Principle #3
• The believer’s faithfulness with the possessions that God gives to other people will determine the quantity that God will give to that believer.

• Read Luk 16:12
  • Why is this principle true?
    • Contemplate the fact that the possessions of others do not belong to them, they belong to God.
• Principle #4
• Before God gives the believer the riches of His economy, He will first observe the way that the believer uses the money from the world’s economic system. (Luk 16:10-11)

• Review:
  • The importance of the development of the characteristic of faithfulness.
    • Frequently the Scriptures speak of the faithfulness of God.
    • The believer should develop this quality to experience the depths of a relationship with God.
  • Evaluate your faithfulness with the use of:
    • The possessions of the church:
    • The possessions of your employer:
    • The possessions of the members of your family:
    • The possessions of your friends:
    • Your own possessions:

HOMEWORK
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Evaluate your own life in the way that God has used your attitude and your use of money to develop your character.
  • What are your strengths of character with respect to money?
  • What are your weaknesses of character with respect to money?

Learn by memory: Heb 11:6