This document discusses the concept of stewardship from a Christian perspective. It defines stewardship broadly as using all of one's resources, including time, talents, possessions and money, in service to God. It emphasizes that as the creator, God owns everything and calls us to surrender our lives to his lordship. The document also provides biblical principles on acceptable giving to God, including tithes and freewill offerings. It encourages planned, systematic giving from a heart of gratitude rather than obligation.

1. Erika F Puni, PhD
Stewardship Ministries Director
General Conference

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3. Jesus Is Lord Of All
Worship
Leadership
Relationships
Possessions
Finances
Language

4. Financial Stewardship
Acknowledgment of God’s Creatorship
Expression of Partnership with the Divine
Commitment to the Lordship of Jesus
Recognition of God’s Blessings of Grace
Believers response of Love and Gratitude
Demonstration of our Faith in Christ
Living the Covenant Relationship with God

5. God, Offerings Giving
1.Giving is central to God’s nature
2.God gave first in everything
3.God gave the best in Jesus Christ
4.God’s giving saves us from the death
5.God expects and will accept the best
from His people
6.Freewill offerings are an expression
of the giving of one’s self first to God

6. The Nature of Offerings
1.Offerings are tangible expressions of a
heart commitment to God
2.What is given is something of value
and meaning – it has a cost to the giver
3.There is a benefit or blessing
associated with the giving of offerings
4.Offerings is a means of thanksgiving
and praise to God
5.Worship and joy are common
denominators in the giving of offerings

7. Jesus and Offerings
1.Jesus received and accepted gifts of
worship and thanksgiving
2.For Jesus, giving to God must be
consistent with our love for others
3.In giving, the motive and condition of
the heart matters
4.Giving is both personal and communal
5.Worship includes giving in support of
Christian ministry and the poor

8. Acceptable Giving
1. Giving of our total self to God
2. Giving that recognizes that God is first
3. Expression of faith and total trust in God
4. Response of love to God’s saving grace
5. Voluntary act from a grateful heart
6. Reflection of commitment to the mission
and ministry of God through the church
7. Outflow of a right relationship with God
and my neighbor
8. Giving is spontaneous, systematic and
sacrificial

9. Expressions of Financial
Stewardship
TITHE OFFERINGS
Belongs to God
Belongs to God
It is holy It is holy
God specifies it Believer sets it
Act of worship Act of worship
Spiritual response Spiritual response
Express loyalty Express gratitude

10. Giving Paradigm
OLD NEW
Financial Matter Spiritual Act
Focus on Self
Work oriented Grace oriented
Emphasize obligation
Focus on God
Emphasize lordship
Maintenance driven Mission driven
Members are Donors Members are Stewards

11. DONORS or STEWARDS
DONORS STEWARDS
It’s About Me It’s About God
It’s My Money
It’s My Project It’s God’s Work
I’m In Control
It’s God’s Gifts
God’s In Control
Giving Is In-frequent Giving Is A Lifestyle
The Amount Matters The Heart Matters

12. Seventh-day Adventist Practice
Tithe
Freewill
Offerings
Charity and
Project Giving
10% or 1/10th
+ More than Tithe
= Equal to Tithe
- Less than Tithe
+ More than Tithe
= Equal to Tithe
- Less than Tithe

13. Freewill Giving
1.Is giving that recognizes God’s
blessings that comes freely through
His grace in Jesus Christ (Deut 16:17)
2.Is giving that goes out of a heart full of
gratitude and joy because of the love
of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:12)
Freewill giving is NOT about giving nothing;
but the choice to give beyond the minimal
(tithe).

14. God’s Love Covenant
(Stewardship Outline of Malachi)
Chapter 1. The Covenant is Broken
- Because of unacceptable offerings
Chapter 2. The Covenant is Compromised
- Because of unfaithful leaders
Chapter 3. The Covenant is Restored
- With God’s presence and blessings
Chapter 4. The Covenant is Executed
- With a new generation of leaders

15. The Offerings Principle
18 “If any of you presents a gift for a burnt
offering to the LORD, either to fulfill a
vow or as a freewill offering, 19 you must
present a male without defect from the
cattle, sheep or goats in order that it may
be accepted on your behalf. 20 Do not
bring anything with a defect, because it
will not be accepted on your behalf.”
Leviticus 22:18-20 (NIV)

17. Unacceptable Offerings
“Oh, that one of you would shut the
temple doors, so that you would not light
useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased
with you,” says the Lord Almighty,
“and I will accept no offering from your
hands.” Malachi 1:10 (NIV)

18. Unacceptable Offerings
13 “When you bring injured, lame or
diseased animals and offer them as
sacrifices, should I accept them from
your hands?” says the Lord. 14 “Cursed is
the cheat who has an acceptable male in
his flock and vows to give it, but then
sacrifices a blemished animal to the
Lord.” Malachi 1:13,14 (NIV)

19. Systematic Giving
1.Is planned giving NOT impulse
giving
2.It starts with the return of tithe
3.Follows with giving of offerings
4.Make allowance for project giving
5.Understands global and local needs
6.Is regular giving
7.Always focus on God and mission

20. Your Best Gift For God
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and
sisters, in view of God's mercy, to
offer your bodies [total self] as a
living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God—this is your true and proper
worship. 2 . . . be transformed by the
renewing of your mind [heart].
Romans12:1-2 (NIV)

21. Tithes and GC
General Conference
Offerings
flow up and
down the
DIVISION
Church
structure
UNION
CONFERENCE
LOCAL CHURCH
???
SDA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
???
???
???

22. Stewardship Strategy
Offering Systems Information and
Communication
Strategy
Stewardship
Education
Pastor
Local Church

23. Our Stewardship Message
God made all things and He has sustained
them by His power. As Creator God He owns
everything including us – the totality of our
human life and experience. This God – Jesus
Christ - is Savior and King of the universe. As
His subjects, we live for Him; and our purpose
in life is to honor Him by surrendering our
hearts and everything that we are and have to
His control. As stewards of His kingdom,
we’re also partners with Him in His mission in
the world to make disciples of all peoples.

24. Department Contact
Larry Evans - Associate Director
Email: EvansL@gc.adventist.org
Mario Nino - Associate Director
Email: NinoM@gc.adventist.org
Erika Puni - Director
Email: PuniE@gc.adventist.org
Website: www.adventiststewardship.com