Generous Living - Stewardship

What Is Stewardship?
Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

God loves it when we give, not because He needs our money, but because He wants to shape our character into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, the one who gave his very life for us. He also wants us to be wise managers and investors of what He has blessed us with. He wants us to experience the joy of giving to His work, to the poor, and to those in financial need.

A great definition of stewardship is this: the concept of managing the assets of a family business in such a way as to preserve or increase their worth for future generations. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are all a part of the family of God! Our challenge as managers of God’s assets is to increase these assets for future generations of our family. Stewardship is not just means for the church to raise money. It is a way of life that recognizes that everything we have is God’s, and we are simply managing and increasing those resources while here on earth.

How can you learn and practice generous learning?
• Pray about your giving to God’s ministries.
• Model the humility and generosity God calls you to exhibit.
• Sign-up for a Financial Peace University class.
• Set up a schedule to eventually reach full tithing (10% of your income).
• Give your time, talents, and finances to your church, other ministries, and missions.
• Consider giving through the First Baptist Raytown Foundation (established through the Servant Christian Community Foundation)

The Great Race Campaign
The purpose of the Great Race is not to initiate any new ministries, but to guarantee the continued success of the ones already in place. Our goal is to reduce our debt, refurbish our building, and update our children's area. Building refurbishment will include projects such as parking lot repairs, carpet replacement, and repainting in lobby areas and building B. Building refurbishments take place as funds become available through the campaign. Debt reduction began immediately after the campaign launched in November 2008. As a church, we have pledged to give $3,722,026.84. See the graphic at right to track the progress we've made since November 2, 2008. If you would like to make a pledge to The Great Race, contact Laura Davis at 816-778-1106 or email ldavis@firstbaptistraytown.com.

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
Financial Peace University is for everyone!  FPU’s mission statement is:  “To empower and give hope to everyone from the financially secure to the financially distressed."  The program helps you make the right decisions with your money so you can accomplish your financial goals.  FPU gives you the Biblical and practical skills needed to be able to walk in financial peace! 

Over 150 participants have taken the course at FBR in the past year, and hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed nationwide. This is a wonderful, exciting opportunity to learn how to better handle the financial resources you’ve been blessed with.  (Please note that participants are not required to disclose or share personal financial information.)

Each two-hour class consists of financial lessons taught via DVD by Dave Ramsey over a 13-week period.  Through the entertaining presentations and class discussion, the course covers these essential life-changing topics:

Super Saving
Relating with Money
Cash Flow Planning
Dumping Debt
Understanding Credit Bureaus and Collection Practices
The Power of Marketing on Buying Decisions
The Role of Insurance
Getting Good Deals on Large Purchases
Understanding Investments
Planning for Retirement and College
Careers and Extra Jobs
Real Estate and Mortgages
Understanding the Power of Giving

To sign-up for a class at First Baptist Raytown, click below.

First Baptist Raytown Foundation & Your Legacy of Love
First Baptist Raytown Foundation in partnership with the Servant Christian Community Foundation, was established to identify and develop opportunities for planned giving. Our purpose is to endow and support the future needs of our church’s ministry and mission by encouraging our members to remember First Baptist Raytown in their will.

What is our Foundation?
Our mission is to invite the long-range financial support necessary to carry out our purpose of changing lives, transforming the community and our vision is to provide future funding that will bring a greater good, to a greater number, for the greater glory of God. (Matthew 22:37) Our challenge is to promote congregational planned giving through various types of gifts that result in improved stewardship and generosity. Our Associate Pastor of Stewardship is available to assist anyone who is interested in making a planned gift.

How can planned giving benefit you?
Planned giving is generosity for the future. It is about planning well, giving wisely, and receiving in the process. Establishing a planned gift brings immediate joy and the long-term assurance that your gift will continue to support your church long after you pass into eternity. Your gift may be undesignated for the broad benefit of the church so that it can serve the most immediate future needs, or your gift can be designated for any ministry, mission or facility need.

Consider these amazing advantages:
• Income and Estate tax reduction (IRA gifts have great tax advantages)
• Avoidance of appreciated or capital gains taxes
• Increased income and effective rate of return
• Tithing your estate is an inspiring witness