📖 Bible Study: Faithful in Finances

Theme Verse: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1

I. Panimula

Sa United Methodist Church, stewardship is not just about tithes—it’s about our whole life response to God’s grace. Ang pera ay bahagi ng ating discipleship. John Wesley himself taught, “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

Ang pagiging mabuting katiwala ay hindi lang “church thing” kundi “kingdom lifestyle.” Lahat ng meron tayo ay sa Diyos at ginagamit natin ito para sa personal holiness at social holiness.

II. Ano ang Financial Stewardship sa UMC?

UMC Social Principles – ¶ 163.I

“We recognize the responsibility of governments and individuals to ensure the equitable distribution of resources. We affirm the biblical call to stewardship of all creation, including financial resources, as a trust from God.”

Definition: Stewardship means pagiging tapat na manager ng resources ni God upang matugunan ang personal needs, suportahan ang church mission, at magdala ng hustisya sa lipunan.

III. Tatlong Wesleyan Principles sa Pera

1. God Owns Everything – Psalm 24:1

Lahat ng resources ay kay Lord.
Tayo ay katiwala, hindi may-ari.
Our role: gamitin ang pera para sa Kanyang layunin.

2. Use Money as a Means, Not an End – Matthew 6:24

Hindi tayo pwedeng mag-serve sa Diyos at sa pera sabay.
John Wesley: “Gain all you can” — sa paraang hindi nakakasira sa kalusugan, kalikasan, o kapwa.

3. Give Generously and Purposefully – 2 Corinthians 9:7

Wesley: “Give all you can” — ibalik sa Diyos para sa church, poor, and mission.
Sa UMC, giving supports:
- Local church ministries
- Connectional giving (apportionments)
- Missional outreach

IV. UMC Social Principles Applied sa Pera

Justice in Wealth – Gumamit ng pera para bawasan ang kahirapan.
Transparency and Accountability – Maging tapat sa accounting sa church at personal finances.
Mission-Oriented Budgeting – Unahin ang gawain ng Diyos bago luho.

V. Practical Applications (Wesleyan Way)

Earn all you can – Work diligently without harming health or exploiting others.
Save all you can – Avoid unnecessary spending; mag-ipon para sa pangangailangan at misyon.
Give all you can – Support your local church, connectional ministries, and people in need.
Live simply – Practice contentment; avoid the trap of consumerism.

VI. Discussion Questions

Paano naiiba ang tingin mo sa pera ngayon na alam mong “trust” lang ito mula sa Diyos?
Sa tatlong Wesleyan principles (Earn, Save, Give), saan ka pinaka-challenged?
Ano ang practical na paraan para gawing mas mission-oriented ang iyong personal budget?
Sa tingin mo, paano makakatulong ang iyong giving sa connectional mission ng UMC?

VII. Closing Verse & Challenge

Luke 16:10-11 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”

Challenge: This week, gumawa ng Wesleyan money plan — ilista kung paano ka mag-e-earn, magse-save, at magbibigay ayon sa turo ng Biblia at UMC tradition.

VIII. Closing Prayer

“Panginoon, Ikaw ang may-ari ng lahat ng bagay. Turuan Mo kaming maging tapat na katiwala sa lahat ng resources na ipinagkatiwala Mo sa amin. Tulungan Mo kaming gamitin ang aming finances para sa Iyong kaharian, sa paglilingkod sa kapwa, at sa pagpapalawak ng Iyong gawain sa mundo. Sa pangalan ni Jesus, Amen.”