What is Stewardship

October 13, 2024

FBC Baxley

am service

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Welcome radio and online guests…

*It’s ok if you’re broken, unfaithful, lost, we are too and we are here seeking God’s will and way and plan.

We are all prodigals here…

Some rescued….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “What is Stewardship?”

Scripture Passage: Luke 12:42-48

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?

43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,

46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.

48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

PRAY

Three Points:

Responsibility: "Whom His Master Will Make Ruler" (v. 42)

Readiness: "If He Should Come in the Second Watch" (v. 45)

Reckoning: "To Whom Much is Given" (v. 48)

Cooperative Program Emphasis

1. To help cover the costs of expanding ministry opportunities, leaders of the SBC proposed, in 1919, the 75 Million Campaign, a five-year pledge campaign. The campaign was designed to fund the missions and ministries of all the state conventions as well as that of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Cooperative Program launched in 1925.

2. The definition of Cooperative Program, as adopted by the messengers to the SBC annual meeting, is: “… Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving through which cooperating Southern Baptist churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.”

3. How the Cooperative Program works: Individuals provide tithes and offerings to their local church, and the participating churches forward a portion of their undesignated funds to their state Baptist convention. During the annual meeting of each state convention, messengers from local churches across the state decide what percentage of Cooperative Program gifts contributed by local congregations stays within the state to support local missions and ministries, and what percentage is to be forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention for North American and international missions. At the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, messengers from across the country decide how the gifts received from the states will be distributed among SBC entities.

4. Funds for the Cooperative Program are used to finance the North American Mission Board (namb.net), International Mission Board (imb.org), the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), and the six Southern Baptist seminaries in America (Southern, Southeastern, Midwestern, Southwestern, Golden Gate, and New Orleans). (Although they receive no Cooperative Program support, LifeWay Christian Resources, Guidestone Financial Resources and the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) actively promote Cooperative Program in publications and missions resources.)

In Georgia, the Cooperative Program finished 2023 at just more than $34.8 million in unrestricted contributions and $1.15 million in restricted funding.

Story:

A church is holding a donation drive for a new roof.

The pastor is giving a speech about the importance of donating and explains that "Donating is not about the money. It's about the principle.

I know times are tough right now; there are other ways you can contribute."

A man in the audience looks thoughtful throughout the entire sermon and approaches the pastor after the service and asks, “What other ways can I contribute? Times really are tough lately.”

The pastor smiles and says, “Well, that’s easy. I know you like to go fishing on the weekends, and during football season, you like to watch the games on Sundays.

Maybe during your weekends, you could skip fishing and work on the roof here instead, and during football season, you could skip a few games.”

The man looks thoughtful for a moment and then says, “A new roof, huh? Are you accepting checks?”

Introduction: Stewardship is a fundamental theme in Scripture.

In 11 of the 39 parables…Jesus spoke on money

Jesus often taught about how we handle what God has entrusted to us, and in Luke 12:42-48, He offers profound insights into what true stewardship looks like.

Steward-gk-

Manager of a household, guardian

In this passage, Jesus answers Peter’s question about whether His warnings are for everyone, by telling a parable about a faithful and wise steward.

I. Responsibility: "Whom His Master Will Make Ruler" (v. 42)

Jesus begins this passage by describing a faithful and wise steward, saying, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?” (v. 42).

Here, we see that stewardship begins with responsibility. The steward is given authority and resources, but his role is to manage them well for the benefit of others, not for selfish gain.

The steward’s responsibility is to take care of the master’s household, ensuring that everyone receives their "portion of food" at the right time.

Notice that the steward is entrusted with what belongs to the master.

We are reminded that everything we have—our time, talents, treasures, and opportunities—belongs to God.

We are simply managers of what He has entrusted to us.

Jesus emphasizes in this parable that the faithful steward will be rewarded with even more responsibility, saying, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (v. 43).

The faithful servant is responsible in the little things, and this leads to greater blessings.

II. Readiness: "If He Should Come in the Second Watch" (v. 45)

Next, Jesus highlights the importance of readiness.

The steward does not know when his master will return. Jesus says, “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him”(v. 45-46).

Readiness requires that we are not only doing the right things but also doing them consistently, anticipating that the Lord could return at any moment.

A faithful steward does not grow lazy or neglectful. Instead, he or she is always prepared, fulfilling their duties whether or not the master’s return seems imminent.

Jesus’ warning here is sharp: the servant who is unprepared and fails to act faithfully will be caught off guard. He says, “The master of that servant will come...and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” (v. 46).

This points us to the eternal seriousness of being ready and watchful.

III. Reckoning: "To Whom Much is Given" (v. 48)

The final principle of stewardship is reckoning—the reality that each of us will give an account for how we have handled what God has entrusted to us.

Jesus declares, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (v. 48).

This truth underscores the weight of our stewardship.

The more resources, influence, and opportunities we have been given, the greater our responsibility to use them for God’s glory.

Jesus teaches that there will be different levels of accountability based on what each person has received.

Those who knew their master’s will but failed to do it will be held to a higher standard of judgment (v. 47).

In God’s economy, faithfulness is not measured by how much we have but by how well we use what we’ve been given.

Stewardship requires a sober awareness of the coming day of reckoning when we will stand before Christ and give an account.

Conclusion:

Jesus’ teaching on stewardship challenges us to take seriously our responsibility, readiness, and reckoning before God.

Life Applications:

Examine Your Priorities Take time to reflect on how you are managing the resources God has entrusted to you—your time, talents, and finances.

Are your priorities aligned with God’s will? Are you investing in things of eternal significance or merely in temporary pleasures?

Are you managing your family/children….you are called to make disciples at home….

Cultivate a Spirit of Watchfulness We must live with a sense of urgency and readiness, knowing that Christ could return at any moment.

Avoid procrastinating in your spiritual duties, and live every day as if it were your last opportunity to serve the Lord.

Be Faithful in Small Things Faithful stewardship starts with the little things. Be diligent in managing the small responsibilities God has placed in your life, knowing that He will bless your faithfulness with greater opportunities.

Whether it’s serving others, giving generously, or investing time in prayer and Scripture, do it with excellence for God’s glory.

Let us be found as faithful stewards, always ready and eager to fulfill the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. As Jesus reminds us, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (v. 43). Amen.

Pray

Invitation