Living in the Spacious Place: God's Money Managers OUTLINE

Sermon Text: Luke 21: 1 – 4 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.A 3“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Sermon Title: Living in the Spacious Place: God’s Money Managers
A Barna research study back in April 2000 found that only 8% of Christians give 10% of their income or more.
According to statistics, in American Churches the breakdown of giving looks like this:
20% of members Give 80% of all funds
30% of members Give the other 20%
50% of members Give nothing – ever!
Imitator-mimics others stewardship.


1. Modeler—gives when there is an example
2. Conformer—gives because of tax benefits and personal gain
3. Individual—gives in proportion to what God has given him/her
4. Generous Giver—recognizes that all one posses belongs o God and derives joy from giving
5. Mature giver—focus on God then on others concerned with his/her treasure in heaven than treasure on earth and is content with daily provisions
1. Give Politely
Matthew 6:1 - 4 1 "Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that you are giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
2. Give Plentifully
2 Corinthians 9: 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
3. Give Progressively
Luke 6:38 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." Phil 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory…

4. Give Positively2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.