Biblical Stewardship
Stewardship & giving are crucial areas of spiritual development, but many pastors are ill-equipped to preach effectively on these topics. This course offers teaching from a diverse group of scholars, financial experts, & pastors - including Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, Ken Boa & Randy Alcorn - a rich resource for anyone studying stewardship.
01. Biblical Stewardship
In this session Ken Boa shows how stewardship is faithfulness to the Lord in all areas of life including time, talents, truth, relationships, bodies, environment, and treasures. Stewardship flows from the fact that God owns all things, and we own nothing. Stewardship is also privilege in that it affords us the opportunity of eternal investment and rewards. Dr. Boa explores what it means to be faithful in all spheres of stewardship, and concludes by giving a biblical perspective on motivation for giving, tithing, contentment and gratitude.
Tags: lordship theology, systematic theology, stewardship
02. Q&A: Ken Boa
In this interactive session, Dr. Boa takes questions from the class concerning his lecture. He discusses pragmatism, large church buildings, and the difference between hoarding and saving, among other things.
Tags: Building programs, greed, stewardship
03. The Danger of Wealth
Dr. Bruce Waltke surveys money and the book of Proverbs by considering the danger and limitations of wealth. He emphasizes the importance of reading Proverbs contextually, holistically and with an eternal perspective. The danger of wealth is that it can lead to idolatry by finding security and significance in money. While wealth does not inevitably lead to idolatry, it can foster idolatry, which leads to death. Dr. Waltke also addresses the limitations of wealth. Wealth cannot save us from wrath, and it cannot compete with wisdom. He closes by taking questions from the participants.
Tags: Old Testament biblical theology, hermeneutics
04. The Value of Wealth
Dr. Bruce Waltke continues his survey of money and the book of Proverbs by addressing the spiritual value of wealth. Wealth can protect us from being alienated from God and other people. It protects us from destitution, and it gives us the ability to be generous. Dr. Waltke also talks about how to have enduring wealth, which begins by fearing the Lord, helping our neighbors, working hard, living in contentment and patience, and cultivating healthy families.
Tags: Old Testament biblical theology, economics, discipleship
05. Q&A: Bruce Waltke
Dr. Bruce Waltke takes questions from the participants concerning his lectures. He addresses the difference between gambling and the stock market, charging interest from the poor, the difference between Jesus’ teaching and the Proverbs, tithing, and systematic economic wickedness.
Tags: Biblical theology, practical theology, economics
06. Treasure & Eternity
Randy Alcorn discusses some of the Bible’s most demanding words concerning money and possessions. Jesus’ thoughts are often contrary to common sense, and yet our handling of money is the litmus test for the veracity of our theology. Pastors have an incredible opportunity to shape people’s thoughts and actions toward giving. The best antidote to materialism is generosity, and our churches must take a more active role in holding members accountable in this area. He concludes by considering how the wisest thing any person can do is store up treasures in heaven by being generous on earth.
Tags: biblical theology, discipleship
07. Q&A: Randy Alcorn
In this interactive session, Randy Alcorn takes questions concerning his first lecture. He discusses how to teach on giving without becoming legalistic, materialism on a global level, and how we can have accountability in giving without violating the biblical principle of giving in secret.
Tags: practical theology, discipleship
08. Giving & Eternity
In this lecture, Randy Alcorn considers the biblical examples of leaders who inspire their people to give. Pastors set the example for their congregation in giving, although many pastors give very little. If pastors are to preach from the Bible without hypocrisy, they must lead the way in giving. One of the most neglected and important aspects of giving is its connection with joy. We think material goods will bring us joy, but only God satisfies, and the reason God blesses us with material goods is to be a blessing to others.
Tags: biblical theology, leadership, discipleship
09. Q&A: Randy Alcorn
Randy Alcorn takes questions concerning his second lecture. He discusses the financial burdens and blessings of big churches, giving with strings attached, accountability structures, wise giving and inheritance.
Tags: practical theology, discipleship
10. Generosity & Churches
In this panel discussion, the participants share stories from their own lives and from those of other people who have learned to give generously and the joyful effects this has brought to their lives. They also discuss what it means to give sacrificially as individuals and as churches.
Tags: practical theology, discipleship, leadership
11. Celebrating Generosity
Andy Stanley shares his passion for stewardship with fellow pastors and leaders. To create a culture of stewardship, the pastor must first preach it regularly to motivate the congregation. Pastors must share what they want for your congregation before they share what you want from them, and preaching should regularly include stewardship language. Churches must also teach stewardship by educating how to get out of debt and how to develop practical stewardship habits. Churches also need to celebrate stewardship because celebration reinforces values. He closes by exhorting pastors personally to remember that stewardship culture begins with the pastor’s example.
Tags: practical theology, pastoral leadership, fundraising, discipleship
12. Embodying Generosity
Randy Pope teaches pastors how to create a culture of generosity in their church that begins with a gospel-centered ministry where the pastor models stewardship. To foster generosity, a church must have a clear vision of its unique ministry and set a vision where giving is part of the expected path in discipleship. The church must also have high levels of integrity and accountability, and it must provide people with resources that teach biblical stewardship and encourage high participation in activities that model biblical stewardship. Randy shares many stories from his personal experience to illustrate his points.
Tags: practical theology, pastoral leadership, fundraising, discipleship
13. Motivating Generosity
Johnny Hunt teaches pastors how to motivate generosity with basic biblical perspectives. Helping people learn to give will be one of the most appreciated ministries a pastor will ever do. The simple teaching that all financial blessings come from God can radically change the way people give. God tests our hearts in our finances, and we need to learn pursue giving richly instead of getting rich. God’s presence in our lives keeps us form covetousness and brings contentment. He also shares several practical truths on fostering giving such as intentional education, offering challenges and celebrating giving.
Tags: practical theology, pastoral leadership, fundraising, discipleship
14. Inspiring Generosity
Rick Warren teaches pastors how to inspire generosity in their congregations. Abundant giving is part of becoming like Jesus, and pastors must get over their insecurities on teaching in this area if they want to be effective kingdom builders. People give when they trust their leadership, and when they catch a vision. He explains how to effectively communicate a vision, and outlines reasons people do not give. People give because it brings joy to their life, and people give when they are inspired by models, and pastors are themselves the best models of giving for their congregation.
Tags: practical theology, pastoral leadership, fundraising, discipleship
15. Generous Giving
Luder Whitlock leads this panel discussion of the mission and purpose of the ministry Generous Giving. Despite the economic boom of the last 25 years, giving has gone down, and Generous Giving seeks to discover why that is and what can be done about it. They discuss where, how and why people should give. They also consider why pastors are reticent to speak on giving, and how they should treat wealthy people in their congregations. Giving should be considered part of spiritual formation, not mere fundraising. They finish the discussion by taking questions from the audience.
Tags: Spiritual disciplines, practical theology
16. Building a Stewardship Ministry
In this interview, Jerry Schriver talks about his role as Director of Business and Financial Ministries at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He shares what they have done to equip their congregation financially by providing a variety of ministries that include budgeting, financial planning, helping people find employment, and a children’s financial ministry. Jerry talks about what the purpose of a stewardship ministry should be in a local church and how to get one started.
Tags: practical theology
17. The Eternity Portfolio
In this lecture, Alan Gotthardt teaches that the bondage of the 21st century is affluence. Americans on average have more money than ever before and yet are no happier for it. Our dissatisfaction comes from a faulty vision, because the ultimate financial investment is God’s kingdom. Considering the rewards God promises, eternal investment is an opportunity, not an obligation. To wisely invest in God’s kingdom, though, takes strategy and goals. An eternity portfolio should include investments in the local church, personal missions, the poor, and spontaneous giving. He concludes by taking questions from the participants.
Tags: Practical theology, personal finance, investment
18. Stewardship for Children
In this session, Chris Dardaman tells the story of the children’s stewardship ministry he helped create at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, Georgia. This ministry helps train children to be wise stewards in all areas of life, and how to wisely give, spend and save. They also teach about work and responsibility, as well as God being the true source of contentment. Chris shares about cultural barriers that impede training children in stewardship and why they must be overcome. He concludes by offering resources and practical ways to help train your own children and the children in your church.
Tags: children’s ministry, parental advice, practical theology
19. Q&A: Chris Dardaman
In this interactive session, Chris Dardaman takes questions from the participants concerning his lecture on children’s stewardship. He talks about the danger of fostering entitlement, how to talk with your children about money, as well as allowance and saving strategies.
Tags: Children’s ministry, parental advice, practical theology