Principles of Stewardship

Engage in Stewardship 4

Principles of Stewardship

Col. 3:23-24

Theme:  God reveals three principles of Stewardship

Introduction:  When you want to learn a new sport or a new hobby, you may read books on it or talk to experts on a particular aspect.  Since my interest is golf, I took that same approach.  However, something stood out about it.  Everyone had their opinion on how to play the game.  It seems nobody knows can teach you what is the right way to play the game.

This also is true in life.  Many people have their opinions on how to eat a certain diet, or what exercise is the best.  This is also true n your spiritual life.  The principle of stewardship is closely linked to the concept of grace: everything comes from God as a gift and is to be administered faithfully on his behalf.   We are to live our lives not based on trying to get God to approve what we do but living our lives according to what God wants us to do.  Our lives are to be lived on purpose directed by God in accordance to His will.

A believer has a specific reason for making the choices.  When you know the will of your Master, you will naturally make choices which is directed by and for His purposes.  This where we live by the principles of good stewardship. A principle is a timeless truth that applies to every person. 

 In these verses Paul is instructing believers that our lives have a purpose and we live by principles which apply to us.

     I.        Principle of responsibility

 v. 23-whatsover you do.

A.  Personal responsibility

1.    We are not to live a haphazard life.

2.    Since everything belongs to God, we are to surrender to the responsibility of caring for His things.

3.    We are responsible for how we treat and care for the things God has given us.

4.    This would include, our church, our friendships, our family, our possessions.

5.    God’s people should be responsible even though the world may not be.

How are you caring for the areas of responsibility God has given to you?  What about your church responsibilities?  What about your family?    These responsibilities are to be taken seriously.   This means be on time, do your best, and don’t shortcut hard work. 

B.  Lifelong responsibility

1.    It is not just for a certain stage in our life but it is for life.

2.    What we are doing is not for self-promotion but for God.

3.    Sometimes we get into I don’t have to do this anymore, but all of the stewardship responsibilities are lifelong.

4.    If we are doing it unto the Lord, we realize that God is eternal and our focus should be on eternal things

 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:1-2

II.        Principle of accountability

 A.   Person we are accountable to

1.     We will go before Jesus to give an accounting.

2.    We will be judged based on our faithfulness

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

3.     Jesus teaches us this truth in the Parable of the Talents where we are held accountable to everything we have been given.

4.    This includes our time, our money, our abilities,  our information, wisdom, and relationships.

5.    We are going to answer to the Lord Himself.

B.  Time we are accountable

1.    This judgment will be at the judgment seat of Christ

 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:10–11)

2.     This is for a judgment of rewards.

3.    God sees and knows how we are managing our affairs and He is reminding us to manage our affairs with great wisdom.

 III.         Principle of reward v.24

A.  Promise of reward

1.    Faithful stewards who do the master’s will with His resources can expect to be rewarded by Him.

2.    Our desire and our goal is to please Him.

3.    To hear the words “well done, thou good and faithful servant, should be our desire.

4.    It should be our desire to want to please the Savior always. 

B.  Expansion of the Kingdom

1.    An important part of being a good steward is expanding the kingdom for God,.

2.    Faithful stewards give out the gospel and desire to make sure people have the opportunity to know Christ.

3.    The more people who hear, the more tracts given out, and the more we do for God, we are expanding the kingdom.

Conclusion:  As we think of our life in this closing message, how can we be a better steward for the Lord?  Our life has the purpose to honor Christ with the way we handle our responsibilities.