Category: Stewardship

Margin

Living in a fallen world has immediate and progressive challenges. Sinfulness and selfishness dominate our culture. We live with an immense amount of pressure to perform at home, at school, at work, and at play. Our lives are bombarded with information and endless opportunities to expend our energy. Do you have margin in your life? Margin is the space between your load and your limit. God has given you all the time you need to accomplish His plan. He has given you the freedom to establish boundaries that will benefit your health and elevate your productivity. Yet, you can choose to do life your way instead of God’s way and the consequences will cascade upon your capacity. Moses reached a breaking point due to being overextended and overwhelmed. The masses of people each wanted a piece of him. They wanted his time, his attention, and his decision-making prowess. Though serving as judge over Israel, Moses failed to exercise proper judgment over his own life. God came to the rescue by bringing Jethro into Moses’ life. “Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone’” (Exodus 18:17-18 ESV). Moses couldn’t see the unhealthy path that he was on. Jethro saw it clearly and succinctly. Jethro was willing to help Moses order his life. What is overwhelming you right now? Has your load exceeded your limit? You may want to ask someone you know and love and trust to help you examine your life. Allow that person to give you feedback on what they see going on in your world. Their perspective could help you see what you are not seeing. Create space to assess your current reality and to address the lack of margin. Invite someone into your journey. Give them total access and full permission to say, “What you are doing is not good!” That takes courage. That requires a dose of vulnerability and transparency. You will be better because of your time together. Here are three steps you can take right now to help create margin in your life: Develop a STOP doing list. Develop a CONTINUE doing list. Develop a START doing list. You will become what you are becoming right now. What adjustments do you need to make to order your life for eternity’s sake? Pause. Reflect. Evaluate. Re-allocate. Create margin! Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Tags Leadership

Judges Samson Stewardship

Energy Allocation

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.’ And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” Judges 16:28-30 (ESV) What are you doing with the life God has given you? Have you established your priorities and do they reflect God’s priorities? You were created to make a difference in the world for God’s glory. It is not about what you can do for God, but what God wants to do in you and through you to accomplish His purposes and His plan. Priorities and stewardship go hand-in-hand. Your priorities will determine how you stewardship your energy and influence. You must determine how you will allocate the energy and influence God has given you. How will you invest your life to make an eternal difference? Samson was blessed by God to be a blessing and to rescue his people from the Philistines. Samson drifted from God and was corrupted by lust and trapped by the seduction of Delilah. However, God granted Samson’s final request to be strengthened so he could be avenged on the Philistines for his two eyes. What would have been different about Samson’s life had he wisely allocated his energy and influence for God’s glory? What about your life? How are you allocating your energy and influence? Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Life Priorities Stewardship

Take Hold of Life

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV) There are more verses in the Bible about money than about heaven and hell combined. There are more than 2,350 verses related to the issue of stewardship. God is the owner and we are the managers. God entrusts us with the task of being good stewards of His resources. Order your life to honor God and benefit others. Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. Be willing to share with others. The activity of living to benefit others produces treasure for yourself in heaven. God rewards your faithfulness in His kingdom economy. If you want to take hold of life that is truly life, then order your life around God’s priorities. Your submission to the Lordship of Christ will be reflected in your stewardship of God’s resources. Lordship and stewardship are inseparable. If Jesus is Lord of your life then His Lordship will be evident in your allocation of resources. The world’s philosophy to money management is to earn it so that you can spend it. The average American spends $1.20 for every $1.00 he or she earns. God’s way is that you earn it, tithe it (eternal), save it (future), repay it (past), and spend it. Give God the firstfruits of your income. To tithe your income is to give 10% of your gross income (before taxes) to the Lord through the ministry of His local church. Give proportionately, consistently, and cheerfully. Assess your current financial reality. What do you earn? What do you owe? Where does your money go? Order your life to honor God and to benefit others. Take hold of the life that is truly life! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Provision Hope Stewardship

Honor God

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV) Would you consider yourself rich? That question is rather ambiguous unless you have a clear point of reference. If I asked you if you were rich compared to Bill Gates, you may instantly respond with “absolutely not!” So let’s expand our point of reference to the 6.78 billion people presently on the earth. I want to share a quote with you from a book I have read that God has used in my life. The book is entitled, Radical, by David Platt. “We are an affluent people living in an impoverished world. If we make only ten thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 84 percent of the world, and if we make fifty thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 99 percent of the world.” Now let me ask you the question, “Are you rich?” You are rich! You are blessed! In his letter to Timothy, Paul reminds us to not be arrogant and to not put our hope in wealth. Our faith is not to be in our possessions, our position, or our portfolio. Instead, we are to put our hope in God. If you are going to anchor your faith to anything, it will be futile unless you anchor your faith in the Most High God! God provides us with everything we need to live in the center of His will and to fulfill His purposes in our generation. Align your time, energy, and resources to honor God. Is God first in your life? Is your love relationship with Him your top priority? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Provision Money Stewardship

Before or After Taxes?

“Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him.” Mark 12:17 (ESV) What belongs to God? Everything! God is the Creator and the owner of the entire universe and everything on the earth. As His children, we are simply managers of God’s resources. God expects us to fulfill our civil duty as citizens and pay taxes. God also expects us to fulfill our duty as kingdom citizens and bring the tithe to His storehouse. “‘Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.’” Mal. 3:10 (ESV) My wife and I have had the joy of practicing biblical stewardship together as a married couple for over twenty years. God has proven faithful to His Word! I have often been asked, “Are you supposed to tithe on your income before or after taxes?” A similar question I have been asked on several occasions is, “Do you tithe on your gross income or net income?” Both of these questions are valid. My personal conviction, based on my study of God’s Word, is that your tithe is to be based on your income before taxes are withheld. You tithe on your gross income. The biblical stewardship principles my wife and I have faithfully embraced include: giving proportionately (at least 10% of our income before taxes are withheld), giving consistently, and giving cheerfully. God is faithful. You can trust Him with your life, your future, and your income. God can make 90% of your income, with 10% given to Him, go farther than 100% of your income. God blesses obedience! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Provision Obedience Stewardship

Life Is Fragile

“‘O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!.’” Psalm 39:4-5 (ESV) When you compare your life to that of a breath, it makes life seem to be so insignificant. Yet, the psalmist is not measuring the value of life. God has already established the value of life. The psalmist is asking God to give him a glimpse of how fragile life is and how temporal life is. How would you respond if God let you know that you only had thirty days to live? What would change about your current lifestyle? What adjustments would you make in order to live like you were dying in thirty days? If your remaining time on earth became a specific number of days that was clearly communicated to you, perhaps you would rearrange your current priorities. Maybe the way you allocate your time and energy would demonstrate radical adjustments once you found out that you only had thirty days to live. The number of your remaining days would directly impact how you would spend each moment. Our tendency is to take life for granted. We so often feel invincible and act as though we are guaranteed several decades of life on earth. God has a way of reminding us how fleeting life is. Are you ready to die? Are you ready to live? Have you made reservations for eternity in heaven? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Faith God's Power Stewardship

God Is Able

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) What kind of impact will you make with the time, energy, and resources God has given you? How much is God able to do through a life totally yielded to Him? There’s room for you to do something great for God. He wants to do more than you could ever ask or imagine. God’s plan for your life is much larger than what you can accomplish on your own. In order to make an eternal impact with your life, you will need to move into the realm of faith. Begin operating your life on the basis of what God can do. How much is God able to do? “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” Dan. 3:17 (ESV) “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Rom. 4:20-21 (ESV) The level of your faith will determine the level of your impact in God’s kingdom. Faith is the currency of heaven. Earnestly seek the Lord and ask Him to increase your faith and to enable you to put your faith into action. Are you ready for God to do more than you have experienced up to this point? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Jesus Stewardship Worship

Placing Value on Participation

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 24, 2014
59 Comments on Placing Value on Participation

“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read.” Luke 4:16 (ESV) You make room for what you value. When you value participating in the ministry of your local church, you will make room in your life for that ministry. If you value short-term mission trips, then you will make room in your annual calendar of events to go on a short-term mission trip. Whatever you value will receive your time, energy, and attention. Whatever you value will be a guarded priority in your life. Jesus valued the weekly worship experience in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday). The synagogue had been a consistent part of His life for thirty years at this particular point. After His baptism and 40 days of temptation in the desert, Jesus returned to Galilee and went to His hometown of Nazareth. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue. Much of Jesus’ identity was connected to the synagogue. He had grown up being exposed to the reading of Scripture each Sabbath in the local synagogue. On this day, He stood to read. He participated in the flow of the service and contributed to the experience. You are the sum total of your habits. In other words, you will become what you habitually invest your life in. You are in the process of becoming who you are in Christ. Value weekly participation in the local church. Value connecting with God in worship with other believers. Value weekly interaction with other believers in a small group Bible study. Make it your custom to grow in your love relationship with Jesus. Your identity is found in Christ. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Balance Rest Stewardship

Creating Space for Rest

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11 (ESV) Do you have room in your life for rest? Of course not! You have too much to do and work is calling your name. “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go!” Work is demanding your time, energy, and attention. Work is biblical isn’t it? Doesn’t God expect you to work? Isn’t work God’s idea? Consider the reality that the Creator of the universe established a divine guideline for both work and rest. God was not tired after the six days of creation activity. God chose to model the value of working and resting. God established a pattern for us in order to keep life in balance and to do life God’s way. When your work becomes a space invader, your life is out of balance. God does not want your work to rule your life and to dominate your energy allocation. God wants you to set aside a day each week to cease creating, forming, fashioning, meeting deadlines, and pushing yourself through the performance trap. You need a day to allow God to put you back together. That’s why God created the Sabbath day. You need a day to allow God to re-create you. Transition off of the race track down pit road and allow God to change your spiritual tires, remove the debris from your spiritual windshield, and to refuel your spiritual tank. You need a weekly pit stop! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Alignment God's Agenda Stewardship

Aligning with God’s Agenda

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 9, 2014
49 Comments on Aligning with God’s Agenda

“‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) Allow God’s agenda to become your agenda. Before you were born, God existed. God is eternal. That means that God has always been and God will always be. God was never born and God will never die. Yet, you have a beginning. You have a birth date! Nine months before your birth date, you were conceived. Thus, you have a date of conception. To know the heart of God for you, we must travel even further back into time. Before God formed you, He knew you. Wow! That means that you were not an accident. You were created by God for a divine purpose. Before you were born, God set you apart. The concept in the language of the Old Testament is that of being sanctified. Before you were born, God had in mind exactly what He wanted you to become and God had in mind exactly when He wanted to introduce you to life on planet earth. God orchestrated all of this before you were born. Before you were born, God set you apart to participate in His kingdom activity. God loves you and has a purpose for your life. God’s purpose for your life is for you to experience His redemptive love personally and then for you to join Him in expressing His redemptive love locally and globally. You have a massive mission to fulfill on this planet during the time God gives you. Don’t waste it! Don’t allow busyness to rob you of your divine destiny! Don’t allow anything to steal your passion for God and your zeal to be on mission with God! Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

David Stewardship Technology

Removing Saul’s Armor

“Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail.” 1 Samuel 17:38 (ESV) As you can imagine, King Saul had the latest in warfare technology. His armor was the best of the best and fit for a king. Yet, Saul tried to shroud the shepherd boy, David, with this state of the art technology and it just didn’t fit. The armor that was to enhance David’s ability to combat and defeat Goliath actually became a major hindrance. Technology has a way of enhancing our lives doesn’t it? We have more technology at our fingertips than at any other time in history. We are in the fast lane when it comes to our technology. Yet, it seems that over the years we have not really had technology; technology has had us. Instead of technology enhancing our lives, it has the potential of hindering us from the living the life God has given us. Maybe it’s time to go back to the One who Created us and ask Him to show us our five smooth stones and sling. God created us to fulfill His agenda in His power with the technology of His choosing. Perhaps we have replaced our dependency upon God with an obsessive dependency upon technology. Can we really make it without email, cell phones, text messaging, and the Internet? We often equate a spiritual fast with giving up food for a season. What if we sought to realign our lives with God’s agenda through a disciplined technology fast? It is possible that we may create more space for doing life God’s way? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Influence Stewardship Ten Commandments

Maximize Your Influence

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) What kind of impact are you making on the lives of others? What are you doing to maximize your influence? Choose to maximize your influence by winning the respect of outsiders. How do you do that? You win the respect of outsiders by leading a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands. Demonstrating a strong work ethic and living a life of personal responsibility elevates your influence. You can also maximize your influence by sharing with those in need. Being generous towards others releases your influence and emulates the heart of Christ. You are never more like Jesus than when you are giving. God has created you to honor Him and to benefit others. Find a need and meet it. Choose to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Another way to maximize your influence is by making God’s Word attractive. “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:9-10 NIV). A contemporary application of these two verses is to seek to please your employer and to be respectful towards them and show that you can be fully trusted. By being a model employee, you are making God’s Word attractive. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Money Stewardship Tithing

Give Proportionately

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) What will be different in eternity because of your life on earth today? Does it really matter how you live? Does it really matter what you give? Of course the answer is a resounding yes! It does matter how you live and it does matter what you give. Stewardship and Lordship are inseparable. Your stewardship demonstrates Lordship. When you allow Jesus to be Lord of your time, talents, and treasure, then your stewardship bears the fruit of Lordship. You choose to allocate your time based on what Jesus values, to use your talents in service to the Lord, and to give your treasure to expand the kingdom of God. God measures the gift and the condition of the heart of the giver. When you give proportionately to the Lord’s work, God sees both the portion and the proportion. God blesses you based on what you give and how you give. Measure and motive matter to God. Jesus tells about His experience of seeing a poor widow put in two very small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then told His disciples that the rich had given out of their wealth, but this poor widow, out of her poverty, put in everything–all that she had to live on (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus affirmed both her measure and her motive. Will you give proportionately? Will you consider becoming a “storehouse” tither by giving ten percent of your income to the Lord’s work through the local church? If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly. Choose to sow generously and you will reap generously. Assess your level of giving. Evaluate the motive behind the measure. Give proportionately to honor God and to bless others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Commitment Stewardship Talents

Yes on the Altar

“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” John 6:12-13 (NIV) The lad came prepared to feed himself and perhaps share with his own family. Jesus had a much larger plan for the lad’s meal and the lad’s life. Jesus took what the little boy was willing to give and then Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish to feed the multitudes. I remember hearing Pastor S. M. Lockridge preach on this passage in 1987 and he said, “Jesus is the only One who can multiply two times five and get five thousand.” Jesus not only met the need, but the disciples gathered twelve baskets filled with leftovers. Just bring Jesus what you have and watch what God does with your life. God can do more with your life fully surrendered to Him in five days than you can do in five decades. Surrender to the Lordship of Christ and place your yes on the altar. Yield to His authority in your life. Over the years I have periodically taken out a legal pad and detached a sheet of paper from it. Then, I would move to the bottom of the lined paper and sign my name. Then I would pray this prayer, “Lord, I am signing my name and asking You to fill in the blanks. I am willing to do what You want me to do, go where You want me to go, and say what You want me to say. Lord, I’m Yours! Use me for Your glory!” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Expectation Stewardship Tithing

God’s Grace on Father’s Day

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 16, 2013
53 Comments on God’s Grace on Father’s Day

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) How would you describe your dad? Think about his qualities. What made him special to you? How did he best communicate love to you? Recall some of your favorite memories. Perhaps your heart is moved by the warmth of the memories the two of you made together. My dad was so special. He had an exceptional sense of humor and could have you laughing in a matter of seconds. My brother and I would lean into my dad with anticipation and ask him to make funny noises with his mouth. He would have us rolling in laughter. My dad was meticulous about the yard and attentive to his appearance. He took us fishing, threw ball with us in the yard, taught us to water ski, and helped us get into motocross racing. My mom and dad were affectionate toward each other and toward us. I wish I could have hit the pause button to prevent the impending shift. Our whole world changed when my dad chose a path that led to his becoming an alcoholic. Soon after my seventh birthday, my parents divorced. The trauma induced by the severed relationship placed me on a search to alleviate the immense pain of my heart. On March 28, 1979, just one month before my tenth birthday, I was introduced to the Greatest Father and received His gift of eternal life. Have you met the Greatest Father? His love for you is unconditional and His plan for you is personal. You can have a personal intimate relationship with the One who created you. On a Personal Note: My dad lives in Louisiana, has a personal relationship with our heavenly Father, and is finishing strong. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Commitment Stewardship Talents

Leave Room for Mystery

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:10-11 (NIV) Do you think the little boy who was among the crowd had any idea what Jesus was going to do through his generosity on that day? When the lad woke up that morning, do you think he had any indication that his random act of kindness would feed the multitudes and one day be read by millions via the Bible? Life is a journey filled with mystery. We don’t know exactly what today may hold even in the midst of advance planning and disciplined energy allocation. God wants us to simply walk with Him and to trust Him every step of the way in the journey of life. God has a purpose and plan for us to fulfill as we join Him in His activity. If God let you know today everything He wants to accomplish through your life on earth, you would not have the capacity to contain it. In fact, if God chose to give you a glimpse of your entire life right now, it would overwhelm you. If God had revealed to the lad on that special morning that he was going to be responsible for feeding five thousand people, the boy would have never left his home. Will you trust God with what you know and entrust your life to Him with the unknown? Leave room for mystery and watch what God does with your life. Be available for His use and seek to practice instant obedience. There are needs God wants to meet through your life. Will you be a channel of blessing? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Miracle Stewardship Talents

Bloom for God’s Glory

“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’” John 6:8-9 (NIV) What does your current situation look like? The disciples where perplexed by the challenge of feeding five thousand people. Philip had already calculated that it would take more than eight months’ wages to buy enough food for each one to just a have a bite. Ironically, Andrew found a lad who was willing to give up his lunch. With five loaves and two fish, the situation remained hopeless. How would such a small lunch go far enough to feed the masses? Bring Jesus what you have and watch what He does with your life. The little boy was willing to let go of his lunch in order to be a blessing to others. He selflessly placed the needs of others before his own. Jesus took what the boy had freely given and miraculously multiplied it to feed the multitudes. Are you willing to bloom where God has planted you? The lad was willing to be used of God in a mighty way in order to meet the practical needs of those he could have never met on his own. Bring Jesus what you have. Bloom where God has planted you. He has placed you right where you are so that you can be a blessing to those in your sphere of influence. Maximize what God has given you. Make the most of the opportunities God has placed in front of you to continue the ministry of Jesus. Bloom for God’s glory. Even if your situation is dark and difficult, rely on God’s grace to enable you to bloom where He has planted you. God can multiply your influence for His glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Lordship Money Stewardship

Willing to Share

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV) There are more verses in the Bible about money than about heaven and hell combined. There are more than 2,350 verses related to the issue of stewardship. God is the owner and we are the managers. God entrusts us with the task of being good stewards of His resources. Order your life to honor God and benefit others. Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. Be willing to share with others. The activity of living to benefit others produces treasure for yourself in heaven. God rewards your faithfulness in His kingdom economy. If you want to take hold of life that is truly life, then order your life around God’s priorities. Your submission to the Lordship of Christ will be reflected in your stewardship of God’s resources. Lordship and stewardship are inseparable. If Jesus is Lord of your life then His Lordship will be evident in your allocation of resources. The world’s philosophy to money management is to earn it so that you can spend it. The average American spends $1.20 for every $1.00 he or she earns. God’s way is that you earn it, tithe it (eternal), save it (future), repay it (past), and spend it. Give God the firstfruits of your income. To tithe your income is to give 10% of your gross income (before taxes) to the Lord through the ministry of His local church. Give proportionately, consistently, and cheerfully. Assess your current financial reality. What do you earn? What do you owe? Where does your money go? Order your life to honor God and to benefit others. Take hold of the life that is truly life! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Lordship Priorities Stewardship

Are You Rich?

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV) Would you consider yourself rich? That question is rather ambiguous unless you have a clear point of reference. If I asked you if you were rich compared to Bill Gates, you may instantly respond with “absolutely not!” So let’s expand our point of reference to the 6.78 billion people presently on the earth. I want to share a quote with you from a book I have read recently that God has used in my life. The book is entitled, Radical, by David Platt. “We are an affluent people living in an impoverished world. If we make only ten thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 84 percent of the world, and if we make fifty thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 99 percent of the world.” Now let me ask you the question, “Are you rich?” You are rich! You are blessed! In his letter to Timothy, Paul reminds us to not be arrogant and to not put our hope in wealth. Our faith is not to be in our possessions, our position, or our portfolio. Instead, we are to put our hope in God. If you are going to anchor your faith to anything, it will be futile unless you anchor your faith in the Most High God! God provides us with everything we need to live in the center of His will and to fulfill His purposes in our generation. Align your time, energy, and resources to honor God. Is God first in your life? Is your love relationship with Him your top priority? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Lordship Stewardship Tithing

Being Stewards

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’” Mark 12:17 (NIV) What belongs to God? Everything! God is the Creator and the owner of the entire universe and everything on the earth. As His children, we are simply managers of God’s resources. God expects us to fulfill our civil duty as citizens and pay taxes. God also expects us to fulfill our duty as kingdom citizens and bring the tithe to His storehouse. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” Mal. 3:10 (NIV) My wife and I have had the joy of practicing biblical stewardship together as a married couple for over twenty years. God has proven faithful to His Word! I have often been asked, “Are you supposed to tithe on your income before or after taxes?” A similar question I have been asked on several occasions is, “Do you tithe on your gross income or net income?” Both of these questions are valid. My personal conviction, based on my study of God’s Word, is that your tithe is to be based on your income before taxes are withheld. You tithe on your gross income. The biblical stewardship principles my wife and I have faithfully embraced include: giving proportionately (at least 10% of our income before taxes are withheld), giving consistently, and giving cheerfully. God is faithful. You can trust Him with your life, your future, and your income. God can make 90% of your income, with 10% given to Him, go farther than 100% of your income. God blesses obedience! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Judges Samson Stewardship

Energy Allocation

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.’ 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” Judges 16:28-30 (ESV) What are you doing with the life God has given you? Have you established your priorities and do they reflect God’s priorities? Your were created to make a difference in the world for God’s glory. It is not about what you can do for God, but what God wants to do in you and through you to accomplish His purposes and His plan. Priorities and stewardship go hand-in-hand. Your priorities will determine how you stewardship your energy and influence. You must determine how you will allocate the energy and influence God has given you. How will you invest your life to make an eternal difference? Samson was blessed by God to be a blessing and to rescue his people from the Philistines. Samson drifted from God and was corrupted by lust and trapped by the seduction of Delilah. However, God granted Samson’s final request to be strengthened so he could be avenged on the Philistines for his two eyes. What would have been different about Samson’s life had he wisely allocated his energy and influence for God’s glory? What about your life? How are you allocating your energy and influence? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 95: Judges 16-18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Influence Stewardship Ten Commandments

Maximize Your Influence

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thes. 4:11-12 (NIV) What kind of impact are you making on the lives of others? What are you doing to maximize your influence? Choose to maximize your influence by winning the respect of outsiders. How do you do that? You win the respect of outsiders by leading a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands. Demonstrating a strong work ethic and living a life of personal responsibility elevates your influence. You can also maximize your influence by sharing with those in need. Being generous towards others releases your influence and emulates the heart of Christ. You are never more like Jesus than when you are giving. God has created you to honor Him and to benefit others. Find a need and meet it. Choose to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Another way to maximize your influence is by making God’s Word attractive. “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:9-10 NIV). A contemporary application of these two verses is to seek to please your employer and to be respectful towards them and show that you can be fully trusted. By being a model employee, you are making God’s Word attractive. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Expectation Stewardship Tithing

God’s Grace on Father’s Day

Post author By Stephen Trammell
Post date June 19, 2011
5 Comments on God’s Grace on Father’s Day

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor 9:8 (NIV) How would you describe your dad? Think about his qualities. What made him special to you? How did he best communicate love to you? Recall some of your favorite memories. Perhaps your heart is moved by the warmth of the memories the two of you made together. My dad was so special. He had an exceptional sense of humor and could have you laughing in a matter of seconds. My brother and I would lean into my dad with anticipation and ask him to make funny noises with his mouth. He would have us rolling in laughter. My dad was meticulous about the yard and attentive to his appearance. He took us fishing, threw ball with us in the yard, taught us to water ski, and helped us get into motocross racing. My mom and dad were affectionate toward each other and toward us. I wish I could have hit the pause button to prevent the impending shift. Our whole world changed when my dad chose a path that led to his becoming an alcoholic. Soon after my seventh birthday, my parents divorced. The trauma induced by the severed relationship placed me on a search to alleviate the immense pain of my heart. On March 28, 1979, just one month before my tenth birthday, I was introduced to the Greatest Father and received His gift of eternal life. Have you met the Greatest Father? His love for you is unconditional and His plan for you is personal. You can have a personal intimate relationship with the One who created you. On a Personal Note: My dad lives in Louisiana, has a personal relationship with our heavenly Father, and is finishing strong. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Money Stewardship Tithing

Give Proportionately

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Cor 9:6 (NIV) What will be different in eternity because of your life on earth today? Does it really matter how you live? Does it really matter what you give? Of course the answer is a resounding yes! It does matter how you live and it does matter what you give. Stewardship and Lordship are inseparable. Your stewardship demonstrates Lordship. When you allow Jesus to be Lord of your time, talents, and treasure, then your stewardship bears the fruit of Lordship. You choose to allocate your time based on what Jesus values, to use your talents in service to the Lord, and to give your treasure to expand the kingdom of God. God measures the gift and the condition of the heart of the giver. When you give proportionately to the Lord’s work, God sees both the portion and the proportion. God blesses you based on what you give and how you give. Measure and motive matter to God. Jesus tells about His experience of seeing a poor widow put in two very small copper coins into the temple treasury. He then told His disciples that the rich had given out of their wealth, but this poor widow, out of her poverty, put in everything–all that she had to live on (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus affirmed both her measure and her motive. Will you give proportionately? Will you consider becoming a “storehouse” tither by giving ten percent of your income to the Lord’s work through the local church? If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly. Choose to sow generously and you will reap generously. Assess your level of giving. Evaluate the motive behind the measure. Give proportionately to honor God and to bless others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Commitment Stewardship Talents

Yes on the Altar

Commitment Stewardship Talents

Leave Room for Mystery

Miracle Stewardship Talents

Bloom for God’s Glory

Lordship Money Stewardship

Willing to Share

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Tim 6:18-19 (NIV) There are more verses in the Bible about money than about heaven and hell combined. There are more than 2,350 verses related to the issue of stewardship. God is the owner and we are the managers. God entrusts us with the task of being good stewards of His resources. Order your life to honor God and benefit others. Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. Be willing to share with others. The activity of living to benefit others produces treasure for yourself in heaven. God rewards your faithfulness in His kingdom economy. If you want to take hold of life that is truly life, then order your life around God’s priorities. Your submission to the Lordship of Christ will be reflected in your stewardship of God’s resources. Lordship and stewardship are inseparable. If Jesus is Lord of your life then His Lordship will be evident in your allocation of resources. The world’s philosophy to money management is to earn it so that you can spend it. The average American spends $1.20 for every $1.00 he or she earns. God’s way is that you earn it, tithe it (eternal), save it (future), repay it (past), and spend it. Give God the firstfruits of your income. To tithe your income is to give 10% of your gross income (before taxes) to the Lord through the ministry of His local church. Give proportionately, consistently, and cheerfully. Assess your current financial reality. What do you earn? What do you owe? Where does your money go? Order your life to honor God and to benefit others. Take hold of the life that is truly life! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Lordship Priorities Stewardship

Are You Rich?

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Tim 6:17 (NIV) Would you consider yourself rich? That question is rather ambiguous unless you have a clear point of reference. If I asked you if you were rich compared to Bill Gates, you may instantly respond with “absolutely not!” So let’s expand our point of reference to the 6.78 billion people presently on the earth. I want to share a quote with you from a book I have read recently that God has used in my life. The book is entitled, Radical, by David Platt. “We are an affluent people living in an impoverished world. If we make only ten thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 84 percent of the world, and if we make fifty thousand dollars a year, we are wealthier than 99 percent of the world.” Now let me ask you the question, “Are you rich?” You are rich! You are blessed! In his letter to Timothy, Paul reminds us to not be arrogant and to not put our hope in wealth. Our faith is not to be in our possessions, our position, or our portfolio. Instead, we are to put our hope in God. If you are going to anchor your faith to anything, it will be futile unless you anchor your faith in the Most High God! God provides us with everything we need to live in the center of His will and to fulfill His purposes in our generation. Align your time, energy, and resources to honor God. Is God first in your life? Is your love relationship with Him your top priority? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Lordship Stewardship Tithing

Being Stewards

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’” Mark 12:17 (NIV) What belongs to God? Everything! God is the Creator and the owner of the entire universe and everything on the earth. As His children, we are simply managers of God’s resources. God expects us to fulfill our civil duty as citizens and pay taxes. God also expects us to fulfill our duty as kingdom citizens and bring the tithe to His storehouse. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” Mal 3:10 (NIV) My wife and I have had the joy of practicing biblical stewardship together as a married couple for almost twenty years. God has proven faithful to His Word! I have often been asked, “Are you supposed to tithe on your income before or after taxes?” A similar question I have been asked on several occasions is, “Do you tithe on your gross income or net income?” Both of these questions are valid. My personal conviction, based on my study of God’s Word, is that your tithe is to be based on your income before taxes are withheld. You tithe on your gross income. The biblical stewardship principles my wife and I have faithfully embraced include: giving proportionately (at least 10% of our income before taxes are withheld), giving consistently, and giving cheerfully. God is faithful. You can trust Him with your life, your future, and your income. God can make 90% of your income, with 10% given to Him, go farther than 100% of your income. God blesses obedience! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell