The Goehner Group

I have developed…

I have developed some principles for my own life as a result of my spiritual journey and a clearer understanding of God’s plan for stewardship:

1. Giving is a privilege. If we own a car or a home, our resources are in the top two percent of the world’s population. The resources are God’s and I simply must give back to him.

2. Generous giving is an evidence of spiritual leadership. We can learn from David in 1 Chronicles 29: giving begins with the leader.

3. Giving must be based on stewardship decisions. Although people often say they will give something, a “something” gift is rarely sacrificial. Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to give everything, and praised the poor widow who gave her last mite.

4. People give to vision, not programs and budgets. Changed lives, rebuilt homes, marriages restored and needs met among the poor are just a few of the solid, life-changing ministries that Christians want to support with their resources.

5. Giving is a way of relaxing money’s grip on us. Because money is often synonymous with power, giving helps us see money with the right perspective.

6. Christians should be challenged to combine their faith and their giving. We, as Christians, can and should be encouraged to live simply and prudently, seeking the gift - and satisfaction - of giving.

Over the past 30 years I’ve had the opportunity of working with hundreds of volunteers. One humble gentleman and committed Christian volunteered to serve on the major gifts committee of a capital campaign. He had been very successful in his farming business and wanted to give back to God. I accompanied him as he visited friends and family to share his passion for this particular ministry. As a result of his personal stewardship and the financial response of those he visited, he was personally responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total campaign goal.

Author Richard Foster has written, “In times of persecution, Christians give their lives, in times of prosperity, Christians give the fruit of their life’s work.”

When - and if - you and I turn from our own pursuits to face the needs and the needy God has put in our lives, will we respond as God-honoring stewards who can do nothing less in light of His generous gifts to us?

God’s plan for funding His work

In resource development we emphasize planning and strategy. Nehemiah is a sterling example of someone who adopted God’s strategy. As the king’s cup bearer, Nehemiah had a grasp of palace politics. He was both highly trusted and considered very stable, yet he risked it all because of his passion for God and his understanding of stewardship principles.

Nehemiah had heard about the walls not being completed in Jerusalem. He cries out to God for wisdom and guidance, seeking courage to address this problem. Reading on, we discover:

• Nehemiah had pure motives. He spent hours in prayer as a broken, repentant man, aware that the reason for the problem was Israel’s sin. At the same time, he asked God to speak to the person with the resources.

• Nehemiah had a sense of mission. He was called to rebuild the city. He had a focused plan and did his homework so he knew what was needed to complete the project.

• Nehemiah asked directly for what was needed. In Chapter 2, Nehemiah comes before the King looking dejected. He risked his life with this sad appearance and was questioned by the king regarding his countenance. After a quick prayer, he explained his cause and made a direct request for funds.

• Nehemiah understood the resources were God’s, not his. It was God’s city he was rebuilding, God’s kingdom he was attempting to expand.

• Nehemiah got a response from the king: What is your cause? What is your need? How long will you be gone? The king says yes by asking, ‘How long will you be gone?’

We must recognize the ownership of God

In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul does not condemn wealth. Instead, he instructs Timothy to teach the church how to use their wealth. Paul tells them not to put their hope in money, but to trust the God who will meet their needs.

In verse 18, Paul instructs Timothy to teach the breadth and width of godly stewardship. First, people are to give themselves in personal commitment, as the Macedonians had done in their example of sacrificial giving. Second, we must touch others with our time and talent, reaching out to hurting people and making a difference. Finally, we’re to be generous in sharing our resources. Stewardship begins with a personal commitment to Christ. It is only after that foundational commitment that we can have the proper motivation to reach out and give to others.

Paul concludes by informing Timothy that as Christians invest in the kingdom they’re building up treasure in heaven. This is the same principle Jesus taught in Matthew 6: where your treasure is, your heart will be also.

The love of money corrupts

Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and mammon.” God, in His love and jealous righteousness, will not accept co-billing with anything or anyone. Listen to the Preacher in Ecclesiastes 5:10-12:

1. Money does not satisfy (v. 10). In fact, the love of money only creates a desire for more, yielding more greed and self-centeredness.

2. We never have enough (v. 11). Money, greed and possessions are not an economic issue: they’re a heart issue. As consumption increases, life gets out of control.

3. The soul is not at peace (v. 12). Dietrich Bonhoeffer exhorts us: “Our hearts have room for only one all-embracing devotion, and we can only cleave to one Lord.”

God’s antidote to greed is stewardship. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy about stewardship so he could then teach the church. What can we learn?

Stewardship Triumphs over Greed

In 1985, I was on assignment for World Vision as an independent consultant working with the Ethiopian Famine Project. One week after I completed this project, I flew to El Salvador and worked with Christian nationals who were involved in evangelism. During those six months, I reached some life-changing conclusions:

1. I was among the rich of the world.

2. My giving must be the result of my spiritual commitment, not my financial ability.

3. If I was going to ask people for financial resources, I had to become a sacrificial giver.

4. I needed to re-discover the biblical standard for stewardship.

For nearly 40 years, I have worked with Christians, encouraging their financial commitments to Christian ministries. For half that time I considered my work to be fund raising; then I discovered it should be challenging people to biblical stewardship.

Paul warned against greed when he wrote to Timothy: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10