Recalibration 4 Accounting for Resources in the Harvest

1. Recalibration 4 Accounting for Resources in the Harvest

2. Resources in the Harvest Psalm 67:1 (TNIV) • “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us – so that your ways may be know on earth, your salvation among all nations.” • Resources are available when we align ourselves with the mission of God

3. Resources in the Harvest Psalm 67:6-7 (TNIV) • “The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.” • When we commit to the Lord and His ways then the blessing comes

4. Resources in the Harvest Matthew 6:33 (TNIV) • “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” • Passion for God’s Kingdom, God’s concerns, and God’s priorities will result in the resources needed to fulfill His desires

5. Resources in the Harvest Matthew 9:36-38 (TNIV) “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harrassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The he said, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

6. Resources in the Harvest Matthew 9:36-38 (TNIV) • Unlocking the resources in the harvest requires: • Exercising faith • Understanding need • Prevailing prayer • Mobilizing workers

7. Resources in the Harvest Practices That Create Generosity • Leadership Integrity • Accountable Structures • Systematic Communication • Stewardship Education • Mission Targets • Legacy Planning • Exercising Faith

8. Resources in the Harvest Leadership Integrity • Leaders must model and even at times live sacrificially before a congregation • Don’t ask people to give what you are unwilling to give • Wherever leaders don’t practice biblical stewardship they borrow against their leadership integrity and place a “lean” against their ministry

9. Resources in the Harvest Accountable Structures • Who touches the money and how it is accounted for matters • Lack of appropriate structures provides people with ample reason to not give

10. Resources in the Harvest Systematic Communication • Donors deserve to know that resources have been received, how they are being used, and to be appreciated • Don’t leave people guessing or gasping • Report regularly on the financial picture and tie numbers to the church’s vision

11. Resources in the Harvest Stewardship Education • More than the annual sermon on tithing • Include the use of our time, treasure, and talents • Teach people about budgeting, financial decision making, and debt reduction • Involve each age level

12. Resources in the Harvest Mission Targets • Ensure the budget is aligned with your local church’s vision and fueling mission • Help people understand the “why” of the church budget • Provide people opportunities, both large and small, to practice generosity

13. Resources in the Harvest Legacy Planning • We are stewards for now and of the future • When people have a plan for their resources they are able to maintain a quality of living and to give • When people have a plan for their resources they don’t give less, they give more

14. Resources in the Harvest Excercising Faith • Don’t use what’s in your bank account to define your vision • Give God the opportunity to show Himself faithful to His people • Believe the resources are in the harvest

15. Resources in the Harvest Local Church Evaluation • Leadership Integrity • Accountable Structures • Systematic Communication • Stewardship Education • Mission Targets • Legacy Planning • Exercising Faith