Stewardship Realized

Stewardship Realized is a topic that is about out Time Our Talents, and about our Treasures with the Owner in Mind. God Almighty is the Owner and that’s it plain and simple.

And so today I’d like present biblical teaching, theological research,and Christian Study, in such a way that this Leadership Workshop on Stewardship is beneficial to the body of Christ.

The Focus will be on God’s Creation and Man as the Manager.

The first part of our outline is on page 1.

I. Caring For Creation

So to begin with brothers and sisters, Christian Friends, Well Wisher and Saints of God this section of the Stewardship Realized Project we are compelled and quelled to acknowledge God as the Creator and Owner of it all. And we recognize mankind as the manger of God’s Creation here on Earth .

Let’s Look at Leviticus 25:23-28

The Redemption of The Land ( Let’s read that passage together)

23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. 24 And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land. 25 If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold. 26 And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it; 27 Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession. 28 But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession. First of all

1. The Land is not to be permanently sold because It’s Mine said the Lord. First things first “Everything really belongs to the Lord”.

2. The text is teaching, talking, and telling us that we are foreigners and temporary residents on God’s Land. And one day you’ll leave that land that you own and somebody else will be living there. In fact the land itself will own you because they’re going to put us back in the ground where came from.

3. Then in verse 28 there is the year of Jubilee. (Everybody shout Jubilee.) Simply put the Jews were instructed to let their field lie fallow every seven years. This was a form of crop rotation. I’m clearly not a farmer but many farmers suggest the practice of crop rotation to ensure a strong product during the harvest. But what I’ve seen down here is that when grinding season is over, they burn the fields and that gets the ground ready to plant the next year’s cash crop. Sugar Cane is big business in Southeast Louisiana.

But in the text there is a deeper meaning and purpose. The Formula was that after seven cycles of Sabbath years , every 50th year, then there was a year of Jubilee. They celebrated the year of Jubilee and Jubilee brought forth several things

1. It provided rest for the soil.

2. It had Provisions for the Poor.

3. The restoration of the land back to the original owner.

4. Indentured servants/slaves were set free.

5. All debts were cancelled and wiped free and clear

6. The debtor’s name and status was restored to its rightful place in society.

I like God’s accounting system because believe it or not most of the Christian and non Christian populations in the world are poor. The rich and very rich like the billionaires and Millionaires make up less than 1.1% of the world’s population but they have all the money. Then statistics show that $39.4 % people fall in the $100,000, to a Million dollar bracket. Then the rest of us in the Population.

And I’m so grateful and thankful to God And I just believe right out the gate that if we thank God that He’s brought us from a mighty mighty long ways and Praise Him for what he has already done, Things will get even better in the future. Because when praises go up, Blessings come down. And the church said Amen .

The last thing in section one is God’s Lordship in The World Look at Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

I see several things here and the overarching theme is that we ought to wrap our minds around

1. We ought embrace the concept of Stewardship rather than Ownership.

2. The Lord made and founded the earth and world the water and seas and the clouds and skies above us.

3. A Divine question in verses 3&4 was given to humankind who can stand on the hill of the Lord or stand in God Holy Place? Meaning that there’s a criteria for being able to occupy a holy space and place before a perfect God!!

4. Then the writer says that we have to have clean hands and a pure heart.

5. We will receive the blessings of the Lord if our souls are not vain or deceitful.

6. Lastly the bible is applicable to all ages including to us here in 2024. “For we are declared as the generation that seeks God’s face.”

I like to have this song done before I go to section two.

SONG “Change My Heart Old God”

There are Participation Gifts to be given out right after the song.

II. Stewardship Rather Than Ownership

What is Stewardship? ​

The word Stewardship in the Greek vernacular is the Oikonomos. It means The Administrator The Pastor/Preacher/ Teacher/ Leader who is the house manager.

Steward in the Greek vernacular is the word OIKONOMIA (OY_KON-NO-MEE -AH) which means that the Steward is the Overseer over the economy of the estate. Another important thing about the Steward is that Steward is an employee of the Owner and is in the Managerial Capacity to be the fiscal Agent or Treasurer. And lastly the Steward is a responsible trustworthy soul. And the old cliche is “Never put a hungry dog in charge of the meat, because they’ll eat all of it”.

Here are some general and specific definitions of Stewardship

1. Stewardship is The process of being responsible with someone else’s property while it is entrusted to you.

Now let’s expand the general definition of Stewardship.

2. Christian Stewardship is the recognition and faithful management of God's gifts, including time, talents, treasures, possessions, and resources, for the purpose of advancing God's kingdom and serving others.

And finally 3. Stewardship is the undertaking of God’s Interest for the pleasure of God; giving service in ministry as our True motivation.

Turn to page 3 The first scripture in section II. on Page 3 is

In Genesis 1:31  God looked at everything he had made, and it was very good. Evening passed, and morning came. This was the sixth day. When we look at the awesome Omnipotent Power of God Almighty, ElShaddai , Jehovah Adonai, God made it all. The Creator of the Universe

listen to me good If God can create a whole world in the matter of six days then we should hold the Creator the Owner of His Creation In the Highest regard. The ephime that I recieved through Spiritual meditation was

If God is the Creator and Owner over the Universe then that means that we are not.

So I don’t come down here to God’s Church and act like I own God’s Church. I’d never say I’m “The president of the church”.. That is the most wicked self absorb thing that I have ever heard!!!. We humans are mere managers over God’s Creation.

And the church said Amen. Everything we have belong to God He’s the Owner. He own our cars, clothes, our homes, our children ,our grandchildren our money,our fun money,our Saving accounts, our Investment Accounts,our Checking Accounts,Stocks, Bonds, IRAs, 401ks, CDs, bitcoins, Givlify Accounts, cash Apps, Zell accounts, Venmo, Pay Pal, Apple Pay, Chime Accounts, etc. God owns it All!

And briefly let me address the elephant in the room We still see gross poverty . In The south for example: slaves were not allowed to own Nothing of value. No slave that you have ever heard of, EVER 2x passed down the Crown Jewels that their Grandmother left to her great great great grandchildren!!! No black Grandfather Left us with thousands of arches of land with the proper equipment and resources, and connections and business plans for the preservation of our family wealth.

We lived in shacks. “True Story” When it rained Great Grandmother would made us get pots to catch the water because the roof was leaking. I was lil bitty boy looking at that.

And so as a result when we get a little money we now buy cars we can’t really afford, live in homes that our ancestors would say y’all living in masa house. Does Mr. Charlie know y’all here? And they ain’t burnt it down yet!!!!

I’m still on page three. And I’m pointing out our African American Theology still carries over in 2024 long after slavery has been been been gone away. Our budgets many times are strapped and scrapped down to the last penny and it’s because by design by the dominant culture that we generally lack sufficient income to maintain the status quo.. THIS IS NOT THE WILL OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES. REV RONALD DORSEY TAUGHT ME AND MY WIFE THIS SUFFER WELL.

On Page 4 I submit to us that “God will is that we live stress free lives, that are rooted and grounded in kingdom building business. Quick Question? How are we going to be able to be kingdom builders when our world is crumbling down in front our own eyes? Somebody say You can’t Pastor.

What’s worse Then we go and get a second job then third job and we’re burning the candle in the front in the back and the middle, and you wondering why African Americans have more heart attacks, more strokes, and more cancers than our mainstream population.

We are overworked underpaid and there seemed to be no solution in sight. But I suggest to us today that if we SUBMIT to Giving God’s way for God’s purpose then God is obligated to take care of US.

On pages 4 second paragraph Question: How would your life change if you agreed with God’s Word on this fundamental truth about God’s Creation, and that is that everything belong to God, The Creator, and that everything was designed by Him to serve His Kingdom purpose? How would your life Change? Write down 5 ways and I’ll get back to you. 1,2,3,4,5 The one thing that’s key to point 3 is to know clearly that God’s Heartbeat is for all nations on Planet Earth to know Him as their Rightful King. And as the late great Rev. Dr. C. L. Franklin would say, "Carry your own corner and God will be pleased with that”.

Right now I’d like to hear a song and give some Participation Gifts Away. and take a 3 minute restroom break

III. Should Culture Dictate Behavior?

On page 5 near the top where is says Capitalism, let’s read it together “Capitalism is our form of government here in America. Everybody in the United States of America set out to make a living based on competition. We dance in a dominion that borders on a devilish demeanor rather than a divine disposition. The divine disposition is to:

1. Embody His Name.

2. Embrace His Mission, and

3. Obey His word.

When life’s value is measured more in terms of material possession rather than the substance of that person’s life, then there is no wonder why a person’s relationship with God and others always become secondary.

Anytime we deal with behavioral issues it has to do with the Process of Sanctification. The root word for Sanctification is Sanctify. In the Greek vernacular the word for sanctify is Hagiazo which means purify or consecrate.

I have several working definitions for sanctification: Look at your insert pages on Sanctification

What is Sanctification?

Sanctification​ Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his Son: holy, Christlike, and empowered to do good works. I learned that from Systematic Theology.

Sanctification​ Concept The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service of God. The race of Abraham and the tribe of Levi were thus consecrated. The Hebrews devoted their fields and cattle, and sometimes the spoils of war, to the Lord. According to the Mosaic law the first-born both of man and beast were consecrated to God. I learned that from The LOGOS Bible Software that keeps me researching daily.

Sanctification is a progressive work of God and Man that makes us free from sin and makes us more like Christ in our actual lives. That’s the definition I learned at the New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary. out in Gentility.

Sanctification simply Put is a Change of Behavior I learned that from the FER Expository Preaching Conference in Memphis. The thing I discovered about Sanctification is that we have to do our part because God is always doing His part righteously.

And on page 6 in the second Paragraph you’ll find this statement: “We can’t serve God and the devil at the same time.. and there is a scripture that is totally applicable to this wrong, warped, wrinkled, and wayward way of thinking.

Let me read Matthew 6:19 -23 and we all will pick up again at verse 24 Look at Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

As you go on in that text we find that God knows everything we have need of. God knows we need our food our fitness or fashion our finances, our faith and our future to be secured through Jesus Christ.

And so The text clearly indicates to us in verses 19 & 20 not to get caught up in materialism. Not to get caught up in tangible things that moth corrupts and thieves will break in and steal.

Then Stewards ah hah The text says in verse 21 that wherever your heart is that’s where your treasure will be. You can tell what people treasure most but what they buy and consume. Verses 22&23 Has to do with the spiritual character that’s within a person. The bible says if they’ve got light in their souls you’ll see righteousness, but if they’ve got darkness in their souls you’ll see wickedness on full display.

Then scripture always backs up scripture in Matthew 12: 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

And finally in our theme verse in Matthew 6:24 Indicates that we have to choose which master to serve.

Tell your neighbor: You can’t serve both ..

It’s hard to straddle the fence because the bible says in verse 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

I wrote an illustrative story once about China Industrial Financial. And China Financial had an American executive who was going to fly over to the headquarters in Hong Kong ,China to do his presentation. While aboard the 18 hour flight Phil fell asleep and had a dream. In his dream the Lord spoke to Phil and said Phil I want you to become more like ME, especially in your business practices. The Lord said put Me first in all of your business endeavors, be fair firm and faithful and you business associates will trust you and finish their deals in the black .Your sales will sky rocket and you’ll never be in the red again.

Phil woke up from his long dream and landed in Hong Kong, China. Phil went to the hotel freshen up and headed for the big meeting. Phil gave his presentation with God as the Owner of all in mind. It was different. It was un- orthodox. It didn’t follow the usual cut throat business model that Phil and his associates were accustomed to. The CEO of China Industrial Financial said that that was the best presentation that Phil had ever done. The CEO promoted Phil to be over the entire western hemisphere Including but not limited to the USA, Canada and some Progressive South American Countries, All because Phil Listen to God and treated God’s Creation with the Owner in mind.

And Phil as a result started every meeting Proverbs 3:5-7 Let’s read it together. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Let me read a little bit more of Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

I guarantee you that if we Let God be First, Allow God to be in His rightful Place in our lives, If we Honor God with our substances (Our time, our talents, and our treasures), God will fix it so that our barns will be filled with plenty and our presses will burst with new wine.

This Phrase new wine signifies prosperity because Phil the character in my story viewed God’s Creation with the owner in mind and himself as merely the manager of God’s creation.

Turn to page 8

I have a small insert to put right here, and this is a good spot where we can give away a few more Participation Gifts. Come on sing Press Down Shaken Together

And Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

While this song is being sung I’ll be checking on our children’s church service.

The last nugget on page 8 That I am compelled to teach is what Jesus said In Matthew 4:4 Let’s read it together But he answered and said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

It was true then and it is still true today that we need money to make it in modern society. And recognizing and realizing that the scriptures are always right let me drop this in your spirit man Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we do it God’s way then life’s circumstances will not breed another generation of people who are always headed for financial disaster. We don’t need another generation that’s focused on Materialism. Because people who are focused on Materialism will never be faithful to the idea and reality of funneling their finances into God’s Kingdom Building Issues. If a person doesn’t Love God, you’re going to have a hard time with that person giving properly. Because I’ve learned many years ago now that what ever you love, that’s what you’ll support.

Turn to page 9

IV Man’s Relationship To This Material World

1. The Material world is Provided for Man’s existence.

In Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

This literally means without God’s Divine Preparation mankind wouldn’t have a place to live, and therefore wouldn’t exist.

2. The World is provided for Man’s Enjoyment.

In Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

3. Creation has been designed for Man’s Enrichment.

In Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; Mankind was in Paradise on Earth.. He was in Eden… And you know that’s why when we spend crazy money trying to go on vacations to our getaway spots we try to go to places that look like paradise. Florida, California, and Hawaii.

My wife told me the other night when people get old and move to retirement spot in other states If you notice nobody with sense moves to a cold harsh climate. A like wise here Nobody thinks of the Garden of Eden as snow and cold and blizzards and nor Easter storms.

But also man had an assignment in Paradise. Look page 10 the bible says in Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

In other word God the Creator the Owner, allowed mankind to be in the garden, dress the garden, maintain the garden,protect the garden, AND MANAGE THE GARDEN.

Then on page 10

4. The Material world proves an instrument for self -expression. God gives mankind cognitive functioning abilities. Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

5. Material things provide the means and opportunity for development and man’s maturation as he/she learns to manage that which has been given to him in Stewardship. Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Long story short Adam and Eve listened to a snake.

Tell your neighbor: Don’t listen to no snake.

Turn to Page 11.Because Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

6. Finally, and above all, Material things provide the opportunity and means by which man can participate in God’s Kingdom Activities on Planet Earth.

In Genesis 3:18-19 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

After Adam messed up now we have to work for a living. And the word of God say if you don’t work you don’t eat. I was fussing at my baby boy about getting a job, and he said daddy I got three jobs… He plays music for a living… And his salaries are decent. So I shut right up about that.

Ecclesiastes 9: 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Let me point out a couple of things.

1. Solomon is saying enjoy the wife that God gave you! And Stewardship comes into play when you got to pay tithes take care of your home, and then try to take care of your side piece. I ain’t got no side piece and all my money goes home where it belongs. All my wife money comes homes where it belongs. And we are stronger together.

2. The Ecclesiastes text compels us work while you can because there will come a day that you’ll be dead and gone and nobody is working in the grave. I don’t care what some denominations say Nobody is working in purgatory to finally get you righteous enough to go to heaven. Let’s read the last scripture on page 11. Ecclesiastes 6:3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. 4 For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

Turn to Page 12 Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Brothers and sisters an obedient ear/ an obedient listener will have life altering decisions. The Lord told me to come out of them streets and Preach His Word. I listened and I have been blessed every since.

Food for thought We must learn to have balance and keep things in their proper prospective. If we do that, then we will be able to escape being preoccupied with material things, and never letting material things mastering us. We are the masters of our own futures.

We have the choice to follow Jesus. Because we can’t effectively manage God’s Household if we are allowing things to master us. The significant fact to remember is that in Ministry It’s imperative that we manage God’s world in harmony with the owner in mind.

Brother and sisters God doesn’t want us to get so bogged down with stuff and things to the point that we can’t be a blessing we can’t sleep, we can’t eat, we can’t relax, we can’t stay focus on important matters, and we can’t enjoy the simple vicissitudes of life.

Stewardship teaches us that Life is to be lived. If you live your life like a closed fist( I ain’t giving them church people all my money) Then God can’t put more into your hand. 2x

God promised that if we have obedience with our giving and then praise him while doing it because he loves a cheerful giver, then all of the biblical truths will be in our pathway to divine blessings. And the Church said Amen I think it is time for some participation gifts to be recieved.

If we have time

V. Shortage

If there was ever a topic in stewardship to be covered it’s Shortage..At your leisure write down three scenarios that describe your version of Shortage. After going through some of the lowest experiences of my life, When God delivered me from that It made me pray hard praise freely worshipped sincerely and intently. Because you don’t know like I know what the Lord have done for me.

And in life All Christians experience shortage at some point whether health wealth Wisdom Personal relationships,Occupational Endeavors, Parental nurturing and Rearing, Personal goal and objectives you name it you and I will fall short at something. We all fall short.

Turn to page 14. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; The there is James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. The essential elements that we can glint gleam and gaze from James is that as a Steward over God’s Creation, We can’t forget what manner of man’woman we are called to be in the body of Christ. Thank you all for coming and I appreciate your presence. You took out the time from your busy schedules and recieved this biblical teaching. I hope and pray that my study on Stewardship was beneficial to you on this subject matter. God bless you.