INTRODUCTION

Most of us are familiar with the principle of bookkeeping

• We have assets and liabilities.
• When liabilities outweigh assets, we have a problem.
• Assets and liabilities have a much wider application today

People in a company, or in religion, may be an asset, or a liability.

• Too many liabilities make it impossible for either to succeed.
• Daniel 5:27… Belchazzar was a liability
• Matthew 12:30… the Pharisees were a liability

In similar fashion, there are many in the Lord’s church today who are liabilities to the cause of Christ.

• Many are hurting or hindering the church
• It is assets, NOT liabilities that will cause the Lord’s church to flourish

Let us consider the question: Which am I, a liability or an asset to the church? 

DISCUSSION

ARE WE ZEALOUS WORKERS FOR THE LORD OR LUKEWARM CHURCH MEMBERS? 

Asset: Zealous Worker

• We are an asset to the church if we are willing workers in the kingdom.
• 2 Corinthians 9:2

We are an asset to the Lord’s church through our zeal for good works for several reasons:

• We provoke or encourage others to do the same… Hebrews 10:24  
• The Lord’s work is accomplished

Notice these biblical examples of zealous workers:

• Nehemiah 4:21  
• This occurred because “the people had a mind to work” (Neh. 4:6)
• Isaiah 62:1 

Liability: Lukewarm Church Member

• We are a horrible liability to the Lord’s cause if we are lukewarm or halfhearted about the Lord’s work.
• Notice what the Lord says about lukewarmness… Revelation 3:16  

When we halfheartedly go about doing the work of the Lord we are a liability to the church because:

• We discourage others
• We are showing our children the Lord is not all that important
• The Lord’s work is not accomplished   

ARE YOU A LIBERAL GIVER OR ARE YOU COVETOUS? 

Asset: Liberal Giver

• Romans 12:1
• The Lord says to “freely give” because you have been given so much (Mt. 10:8).
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-12

We are an asset when we give liberally because:

• We have proven that we have given ourselves wholly unto the Lord
• We help the Lord’s work
• We show concern for the Lord’s work 

Liability: Covetousness

• Ephesians 5:5
• Hebrews 13:5 

We are a liability to the Lord’s cause when we are covetous because:

• We are robbing God (Mal. 3:8)
• We are putting what the world has to offer above what God has to offer
• Our heart is not right before the LorD

ARE YOU FAITHFUL OR ARE YOU A FORSAKER?

Asset: Faithful

• Matthew 25:21
• Luke 16:10
• 1 Corinthians 4:2
• Revelation 2:10

We are an asset to the church if we are faithful because:

• We will not allow things to go undone
• We will believe, do and teach that which is in accordance with God’s will
• We will help the church to grow

Liability: Forsaker

• Hebrews 10:25
• 2 Corinthians 4:10

We are a liability to the church if we are a forsaker because:

• We fail to exhort one another
• We fail to manifest Jesus in our lives
• We tear down the church   

ARE YOU STUDIOUS OR IGNORANT OF GOD’S WORD? 

Asset: Studious

• 2 Timothy 2:15
• 2 Timothy 3:14
• 1 Timothy 4:13

We are assets to the Lord’s church when we are studious because:

• We know truth from error
• We understand what we are to do to be pleasing unto to God
• God’s word will work in us

Liability: Ignorance

• 2 Peter 3:5
• Romans 10:3

We are a liability to the church when we are ignorant of God’s word because:

• We fail to understand the very basics of Christianity
• We will be swept into error
• We will do thing our own way and not the Lord’s
• We will weaken the church

ARE WE AN EXAMPLE OR A REPROACH TO THE CHURCH?

Asset: Example

• 1 Timothy 4:12
• Matthew 5:16 

We are an asset to the church if we are a good example because:

• We encourage others to faithfulness
• We teach
• We can win lost souls to Christ

Liability: Reproach

• Proverbs 14:34
• When we are a reproach to the church men will “blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called” (Jam. 2:7)

We are a liability to the church if we are reproach because:

• We lower moral standards in the church and community
• We set a bad example
• We cause men to look down on the Lord’s church

CONCLUSION

Are you an asset or a liability to the church here?

• Do you come with a solution or are you part of the problem?
• Are you oil or sand in the machinery?
• Are you a green light or a red light?

God keeps the books

• He makes no mistakes
• Some day He will demand a reckoning
• A balance of the books

Will you be one who is found on the right side of the ledger?