In 2 Corinthians 8-9, the Bible teaches we are to give willingly, generously, and cheerfully. And our pattern should reflect a regular and systematic plan. Through our tithes and offerings, we prove faithful in the stewardship of all God has provided for us.
Sometimes the willingly, joyfully, cheerfully, and regularly part is easier said than done. And this affects the generously part. If our personal financial health needs a tune up, if we are in debt’s stranglehold, if we have never been in the habit of giving, then giving in the manner that God wants us to is difficult. FBC’s Stewardship Ministry is designed to help you. Our ministry is not about a concern for dollars, it is about a sincere concern for our givers’ spiritual growth and condition.
People can’t accidentally become good stewards. It must be taught like other areas of discipleship. Our church is teaching Biblical financial and giving principles with the goal of helping all of us to become more faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. Stewardship isn’t about money, it’s all about faithfulness.
Stewardship is about living your life to make an ultimate difference for eternity. For the believer, it is about you and living your life in Christ. No area of your life can remain unaffected; for when God owns your heart, he owns your pocketbook too.
Some concepts of Stewardship are that God is the owner of everything, God’s people are responsible for their stewardship of God’s resources, and giving is a worshipful response to God’s ownership.
If you believe God owns it all, and if you realize what incredible blessings He has put into your hands (your abilities, skills, family, resources, time and life itself), and if you understand you will one day give an accounting to Him for your stewardship of it all, then you must make some kind of response to what you say you believe.
The Stewardship Ministry of FBC wants to help you to be faithful in this area. You see, money is a Spiritual matter. Giving is a key part of your Christian walk. It’s not a separate, non-Spiritual act of writing out a check; giving of finances to the Lord is a deep, personal interaction with the Creator Himself. God has a definite plan for your finances. He cares about every aspect of your life.
Therefore, true Christian giving is an outgrowth of a relationship with the Lord. It is part of the evidence of a Christian life. The evidence lies in compassion for others and giving. Through Stewardship Training and Creative Ways to Give, FBC is here to help.
Again, sometimes it is difficult to give from a willing and joyful heart when we are struggling in our personal finances. In order to help us be more faithful, FBC provides ongoing stewardship training.
We believe and teach that true Christian giving is characterized by coming from a willing heart, being joyfully given, freely given, being completed and proportionate, given as an act of love, without self-interest, in secret, and given without sorrow, regret, or reluctance (not grudgingly given).
Giving and financial health can be a sensitive environment. Our Stewardship Ministry will work with you and for you with extreme confidentiality.
Who do I talk to if I have questions? Contact Dustin Manis, Director of Stewardship, at (405) 387-4366 or dustin@fbcnewcastle.com and I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have.
We realize that although God is our source for all church gifts, He works through the support of First Baptist Church’s friends and donors for the church’s present and future success.
