January 14, 2007am   Stewardship Sunday 

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Leftovers

Leftovers are such humble things,

We would not serve them to a guest,

And yet we serve them to our Lord

Who deserves the very best.

We give to Him leftover time,

Stray minutes here and there,

Leftover cash we give to Him,

Such few coins as we can spare.

We give our youth unto the world,

To hatred, lust and strife;

Then in declining years we give

To Him the remnant of our life. —Author Unknown^[1]

Giving scripture text. Responsive Reading No. 656 in the Hymnal

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

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said:  It is more blessed to give than to receive.   Acts 20:35

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.   I Cor. 16:2

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.    II Cor. 8:7

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.  II Cor. 8:9

If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he doesn’t have.  II Cor. 8:12

Remember this:  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 love a cheerful giver.

 II Cor. 9:6-7

Thank be to God for His indescribable Gift!  II Cor. 9:15

1.  God is the greatest Giver of all.  Can you out give the Lord?  How much has He given to you?  What have we given to Him?

2.  More blessed to given than receive?   How can it be?  How can you give and still come out ahead?  God is the great equalizer.  He makes all things equal out in the end.  Remember harvest doesn’t come until Fall. 

3.      On the first day of the week remember Jesus with your gift.  On the first day of the week we remember that our Lord gave us the greatest hope of all.  The hope of eternal life to all who come to see that the tomb is empty. 

4.      Press the accelerator in your life of giving your time, talents, and treasures to the Lord.  Excel in your life in your worship of the Lord.  Get going with God. 

5.      Remember the riches that Christ has given you.  Our Lord became poor that we might become rich.  How much do you have to give to the Lord?  How to give?

6.      Give what you have.  Choose to give because you can and because you want to. 

7.      Sow what you want to reap.  God remembers what you give to Him. 

Finally:  God has given us his indescribable gift. 

Why go to Church?  Why be baptized?  Why should I give myself, time, talents, and treasurers to the Lord?  Why join the church?  Why be a Christian?  Why be committed to the work of the Lord?  Why worship in the church?

  They Dared Lose Home

Dr. Truett of Texas was invited to a church that was raising $6,500 to dedicate a church building. After $3,500 had been promised, the offerings ceased.

Then a plainly-dressed woman arose and spoke to her husband who was taking the names. “Charley, I wonder if you would be willing to give our little cottage, just out of debt. We were offered $3,500 for it yesterday. Would you be willing to give our little house for Christ that His house may be free?” The fine fellow responded in the same high spirit: “Jennie, dear, I was thinking of the same thing.” Then looking up at Truett with his face covered with tears, he said, “We will give the $3,500.”

Then there followed a scene beggaring all description. Men and women sobbed aloud, and almost in a moment the $3,500 was provided. Then without invitation there came down the aisle men and women, saying, “Sir, where is the Saviour, and how can we find him?”—Every-mber Evangelism^[2]