September 6, 2019
F.R.E.E. Biblical Stewardship
Deuteronomy 18:1–14
Andrew Smith
Central Truth
With the Old Testament and New Testament in mind, biblical stewardship allows you to be F.R.E.E. in your stewarding of the gifts God has given you! From your firstfruits, reflecting Christ, eagerly, as an expression of love for God, give freely back to him!
Key Verse | Deuteronomy 18:4
"The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him."
Deuteronomy 18:1–14
Provision for Priests and Levites
1 The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD's food offerings 1 18:1 Or the offerings by fire to the LORD as their 2 18:1 Hebrew his inheritance. 2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them. 3 And this shall be the priests' due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. 4 The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him. 5 For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for all time.
6 And if a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel, where he lives—and he may come when he desires 3 18:6 Or livesif he comes enthusiastically —to the place that the LORD will choose, 7 and ministers in the name of the LORD his God, like all his fellow Levites who stand to minister there before the LORD, 8 then he may have equal portions to eat, besides what he receives from the sale of his patrimony. 4 18:8 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
Abominable Practices
9 When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, 5 18:10 Hebrew makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, 14 for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.
Dive Deeper | Deuteronomy 18:1–14
Firstfruits: This passage teaches the significant truth that we are to give the "firstfruits" of our income. See also Proverbs 3:9. The Old Testament standard of giving was the tithe, which literally means tenth. However, God commands tithes for the Levites (Numbers 18:21, 24), the temple and feasts (Deuteronomy 14:22-27), and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Scholars estimate that this would be 25–35% of a person's income and property, depending on the year. That's a high commitment to God's mission! God gives to us so that we may be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). Therefore, our giving should be purposed first to God's kingdom and be sacrificial in nature, not from our leftovers.
Reflection of who you are in Christ: Matthew 23:23 says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." Jesus isn't throwing out the tithe but revealing that our actions and heart matter most. We shouldn't give ritualistically.
Eagerness: Grace always exceeds the law. The New Testament standard of giving, since we are no longer under law but grace, is "Don't give any more than Jesus did." How did Jesus give? With eager willingness. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." We are to give as God gave to us, freely and willingly. Jesus died for us and gave us His life so that we—poor and in debt to our sin—may be rich in Him when we accept Him as Savior. In response to His grace and the gospel, give generously with all your life's treasures, time, and talent, trusting that God is pleased when you give your life and income to Him.
Expression of love to God: Matthew 25:23 says to live for God's "Well done, good and faithful servant." Recognizing that God owns everything and that we are His money managers is the first step of biblical stewardship. Read Matthew 25:14-29 on how God calls us to account for what we own.
The question shouldn't be "How much should I give?," but rather "How much can I live on?"
Discussion Questions
1. When is the last time you opened up your budget with your community group and had them speak into your finances and let them question your spending habits? It's time to bring others into that next big decision you are thinking about making financially. Proverbs 18:1-2 says, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." Let others in to be sure you are operating out of a F.R.E.E. mentality.
2. Don't have a budget? Check out the next Moneywise class (Watermark's ministry for helping you develop solid money management skills with an eternal mindset by embracing a life of stewardship and generosity).
3. Why are money and finances such taboo topics to talk about? It's an issue that God wants us to wrestle with because He knows your heart gets wrapped up in where your treasure is. Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
4. What can you point to financially and say, "I did that for Jesus?" When is the last time you gave to His Kingdom?