Good Stewards

Stewardship Flows From our Calling Rev. Derek Geldart / General Adult Stewardship; Give / 1 Peter 4:10 When your life is examined by its Creator, will you be found a faithful steward? That is a sobering question, because Scripture reminds us that nothing we possess truly belongs to us. Colossians 1:16 declares that in Christ "all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible." Because all things were created by Him and for Him, King David rightly proclaims, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). This foundational truth is what gives stewardship its weight and significance: everything we have has been entrusted to us by God, and one day we will stand before Him to give an account for how we managed what was already His (2 Corinthians 5:10 - [1]). God calls us not merely to preserve His resources from waste, but to actively use them for the advancement of His kingdom and for the glory of His name. Often when Christians hear the word stewardship, they immediately think of money or tithing. Yet if all things belong to God, then stewardship reaches far beyond finances. It includes our spiritual gifts, our material possessions, our relationships, our time, our strength, our wisdom, our opportunities, our care for creation, our influence within culture, and even our responsibility to faithfully proclaim the Gospel. In today's sermon, we will briefly examine each of these areas-not because the list is exhaustive, but because we need our hearts and minds awakened to the reality that every part of life belongs to God. Since all things come from Him, our calling is to live every aspect of our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel and for the glory of Christ (Philippians 1:27). Time God hath given man a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity depends. Jeremy Taylor (Anglican Bishop and Writer) While the average person may live roughly 42 million minutes, time has become one of the rarest and most fiercely guarded commodities on earth. Perhaps it is the scraped knees of childhood, the surgeries and aching bodies of adulthood, or the far too many funerals that remind us of the words spoken in Eden: "for dust you are and to dust you will return" (Genesis 3:19). Deep within us is the growing awareness that our days are limited, and because of that, we often try to fill every moment pursuing the desires and ambitions of our hearts. Yet God's Word reminds us that our lives are merely "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Since our time is brief, we are called to redeem it for eternal purposes. As ambassadors for Christ in a fallen world (2 Corinthians 5:20), believers are to make the most of every opportunity, offering their bodies as living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1-2), so that the light of their good deeds may point others to the glory of the One who gives and sustains our every breath (Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 17:24-25). Faithful stewardship of time means more than simply staying busy; it means intentionally setting aside time to know God, "be still" before Him (Psalm 46:10), and pursue holiness because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15). It also means using our time to love and serve others, being "good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10). When eternity reveals how brief life truly was, how much of my time will have been spent for God's glory rather than my own? Talents and Spiritual Gifts What He calls you to do, He also equips you to do. Charles Stanley Upon conversion, many remarkable things happen within a person's life. God removes the hardened heart of stone and replaces it with a heart that is responsive to Him, placing His very Spirit within the believer to guide them in obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The Christian no longer lives merely according to the flesh, but now dwells in the realm of the Spirit, receiving new spiritual life through the indwelling presence of Christ (Romans 8:9-11). Scripture describes this transformation as putting off the corrupted old self and putting on a new identity created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). Yet salvation is not only about being rescued from eternal death and granted eternal life; it is also about being equipped for kingdom service. Just as we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), so also by grace God gives spiritual gifts to His people-enabling believers to serve, teach, encourage, lead, give, show mercy, and minister effectively within His kingdom (Romans 12:4-8). Tragically, while Barna research suggests awareness of spiritual gifts may be increasing, so too is the number of Christians who either believe God has not gifted them or simply do not understand what their gifts are [2]. Yet Scripture makes it clear that believers are not to neglect their gifts (1 Timothy 4:14), but rather to faithfully use what God has entrusted to them for the strengthening and building up of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). Not a single Christian has been overlooked by God. Every believer has been intentionally gifted and uniquely equipped for a divine purpose. Faithful stewardship therefore means discovering, developing, and using the spiritual gifts God has entrusted to you for His glory and the strengthening of His church. Material Resources Oh, yes, we do tithe! But the nine-tenths that we keep is still a hundred times more than our mothers and fathers used to have. It is right that we should tithe because it is God's work, but it does not really cost us anything-it does not bring us to the point of sacrificial giving. A. W. Tozer When Christians think about stewardship and giving, the concept of the tithe and the Old Testament standard of ten percent often immediately comes to mind. Yet while the tithe was an important principle under the Law, the Law itself was fulfilled in Christ, and the New Testament church does not prescribe a fixed percentage that every believer must give [3]. Instead, the New Testament establishes deeper principles that flow from a transformed heart. First, believers are reminded that whatever resources they possess are not ultimately "theirs," nor merely the result of their own effort, because "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). The New Testament reinforces this truth by declaring that "in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth" (Colossians 1:16). Nothing we possess truly belongs to us; we are merely temporary stewards of what already belongs to Christ. Second, what we have freely received from God is to be used for the blessing and care of others, for Jesus taught, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8), and the apostle John asks, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" (1 John 3:17). Third, while ten percent may serve as a wise and helpful baseline for giving, the greater New Testament principle is surrender-allowing the Lord Himself to direct both the amount we give and the spirit in which we give it. Our homes, finances, technology, abilities, and physical possessions can all become instruments of hospitality, compassion, ministry, and service when yielded to God's purposes. And finally, Scripture teaches that giving is never to be done "reluctantly or under compulsion," but joyfully, recognizing that when we serve and bless others, we are ultimately giving unto the Lord Himself (2 Corinthians 9:7; Matthew 25:40). Relationships and Influence We have to carry on the struggle against the evil that is in mankind, not by judging others, but by judging ourselves. Struggle with oneself and veracity toward oneself are the means by which we influence others. Albert Schweitzer The apostle Paul declares, "whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Every aspect of the believer's life is meant to point back to the greatness and worthiness of Christ. Jesus has entrusted His people with the message of reconciliation, calling us to proclaim to a lost and broken world that through Him sinners can be restored to God (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). Yet shining as lights in a dark world requires far more than outward religious activity; it requires hearts that have been transformed by the Gospel itself. First, the attitude of our hearts must reflect the very summary of God's commands: wholehearted love for God and sacrificial love for others (Matthew 22:37-40). Believers are therefore called to continually invite God to search and examine their hearts (Psalm 139:23-24), to repent quickly and honestly of sin (1 John 1:9), and to trust the Lord to direct and establish every step of their lives (Proverbs 16:9). Second, genuine love for others reveals itself through humility and selfless service. Scripture commands us to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit," but instead, "in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). As God's people, we are to clothe ourselves "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12), living with the confidence that God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" through lives fully surrendered to Him (Ephesians 3:20-21). When believers walk in humility, compassion, and obedience, their good deeds become a testimony that points others toward the glory of the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). God entrusts us with relationships, opportunities, resources, and influence not for self-promotion, but so that through Christlike love and faithful service we might advance His kingdom and reflect Jesus to a watching world. Emotional & Physical Energy Renewal and restoration are not luxuries. They are essentials. Being alone and resting for a while is not selfish. It is Christlike. Taking your day off each week or rewarding yourself with a relaxing, refreshing vacation is not carnal. It's spiritual. There is absolutely nothing enviable or spiritual about a coronary or a nervous breakdown, nor is an ultrabusy schedule necessarily the mark of a productive life. Chuck Swindoll Scripture reminds us that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and that includes seasons of rest and renewal. We are but dust formed from the earth, and God remembers our frailty (Psalm 103:14). Paul describes believers as "jars of clay" (2 Corinthians 4:7), fragile vessels carrying the treasure of the Gospel so that the surpassing power may be seen as coming from God and not from ourselves. If we are to faithfully steward the life and strength God has entrusted to us, then we must cultivate healthy rhythms and habits that sustain lifelong faithfulness [4]. Even God rested on the seventh day after His work of creation, establishing a divine pattern of rest. Likewise, though crowds continually pressed upon Jesus with endless needs and demands, He often withdrew to lonely places to pray and commune with the Father (Luke 5:15-16). The apostle Paul also reminds us that while we are "outwardly wasting away," we can nevertheless be "inwardly renewed day by day" through God's sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 4:16). Bearing fruit in God's kingdom is not ultimately the result of endless striving or self-powered effort, but of abiding in Christ, the true Vine (John 15:5), and pursuing holiness because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). There will be many seasons of ministry, hardship, temptation, and spiritual battle that drain our strength and weary our souls. Yet in those moments Christ lovingly invites us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). God never designed His people to survive on endless self-reliance and exhausted striving. Wise stewardship of our energy recognizes our human limitations, embraces God-given rhythms of rest and renewal, and intentionally cultivates habits that sustain joyful and faithful endurance in Christ over the course of a lifetime. Wisdom, Knowledge & Experience Sharing experiences is important for your spiritual growth. Not only do you benefit from hearing the experiences of others, but you also benefit from sharing your own experiences. Your ability to verbalize what you believe is strengthened, and in the process, your abilities to witness, teach, and counsel are enhanced. Charles Stanley Faithful stewardship also includes sharing the wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual experiences God has formed within us with those around us [5]. Over time, God shapes wisdom, character, and discernment within the lives of His people through His Word, His Spirit, and the circumstances He sovereignly allows us to endure. Scripture calls believers to continually have their minds renewed (Romans 12:2) and to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Even trials and hardships become instruments in the hands of God, for we are told to "consider it pure joy" whenever we face trials because the testing of our faith produces perseverance, maturity, and spiritual completeness (James 1:2-4). The steps of faith we take in fellowship with the Holy Spirit are not only meant to allow the Potter to mold and shape us as clay in His hands (Isaiah 64:8), but also to equip us to strengthen and encourage others who are walking the same narrow road toward heaven. The scars, lessons, comforts, and victories God forms within us are never intended to terminate on ourselves alone. Rather, they are to be stewarded for the benefit of the body of Christ. Scripture calls older believers to teach and disciple others in the faith (Titus 2:2-6), and we are to comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God during seasons of pain and hardship (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When we testify to God's sustaining grace through our trials, we remind weary believers that the Lord who carried us will also carry them. The wisdom, experience, trials, and spiritual growth God develops within us over time are sacred trusts meant to strengthen, encourage, disciple, and point others more fully toward Christ. Opportunities To will the will of God is to do more than give unprotesting consent to it; it is rather to choose God's will with positive determination. A. W. Tozer Faithful stewardship requires discernment-the spiritual wisdom to pursue what aligns with God's calling and purposes for our lives while intentionally removing the distractions, pursuits, and priorities that pull our hearts away from His mission. The apostle Paul reminds believers that we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). Yet living in a fallen world where darkness often disguises itself as light, it can be difficult to clearly discern and faithfully obey God's will. To make the "most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16), believers must continually "seek first His kingdom" (Matthew 6:33), "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (Hebrews 12:1), and walk in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Although God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9), Scripture graciously assures us that when we lack wisdom, we may ask God, and He will give generously to those who seek Him in faith (James 1:5). Throughout our lives, God sovereignly places opportunities, relationships, and responsibilities before us, yet faithful stewardship requires spiritual discernment to embrace what advances Christ's kingdom and courageously release whatever competes with wholehearted devotion to Him. Creation and Environment Humanity was to multiply, steward the creation, and govern on God's behalf. The goal was to care for the earth and harness its gifts for the betterment of fellow human imagers, all the while enjoying the presence of God. Michael S. Heiser Ever since the Lord placed mankind in the Garden of Eden and commanded Adam to "work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15), stewardship over creation has been part of humanity's divine calling. Caring for the created world is not merely optional, for "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). Because creation belongs to God, we are accountable caretakers rather than rightful owners. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly reveals His concern for the proper treatment and preservation of His creation. Israel was commanded not to pollute the land where God dwelt among His people (Numbers 35:33-34). Even in times of war, fruit trees were not to be unnecessarily destroyed during a siege because they provided ongoing sustenance and blessing (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). The land itself was to observe a Sabbath rest for renewal and restoration (Leviticus 25:1-7), and Scripture declares that "the righteous care for the needs of their animals" (Proverbs 12:10), extending stewardship even to the treatment of living creatures. Since all creation testifies to God's eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20), we worship the Creator when we wisely and faithfully care for and sustain the works of His hands. Yet biblical stewardship of creation must always remain centered upon God Himself. We are not called to worship creation for its own sake, nor to exploit it selfishly for human gain, but rather to glorify God through wise and faithful care of the world He has entrusted to us [6]. Our understanding of creation must therefore remain deeply theocentric-recognizing that this world was created, sustained, and ultimately belongs to God alone. As His stewards, we share a collective responsibility with all humanity to care for creation in ways that reflect reverence for the Creator and love for those who will inherit the world after us [7]. Organizational & Cultural Resources We Christians are the Church and whatever we do is what the Church is doing. The matter, therefore, is for each of us a personal one. Any forward step in the Church must begin with the individual. A. W. Tozer Faithful stewardship within the church requires both leaders and members to ensure that its vision, culture, governance, and communal trust remain firmly aligned with the character of Christ [8]. Ministries are not merely organizations to be managed; they are sacred trusts entrusted with truth, doctrine, people, and spiritual integrity. A healthy church is one that clothes itself "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12), striving in all things to honor Christ, the chief cornerstone upon whom the entire church is built (Ephesians 2:20), while continually building one another up in the faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The culture of Christ's church must reflect the humility and servant-heartedness of Jesus Himself, for Christ did not come to be served, but to serve. Leadership within the body of Christ is therefore never to be rooted in pride, control, or personal power, but in sacrificial servanthood modeled after the Savior (Philippians 2:5). Faithful stewards protect the unity and peace of the church (Ephesians 4:3), guarding its spiritual health with eyes continually fixed upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Everything concerning church leadership, ministry, and governance must ultimately submit itself to the authority and character of Christ. Faithful stewardship does not abandon the church when weakness, conflict, or failure appears, for every congregation is a gathering of imperfect people still being transformed by grace. Rather, wise stewardship seeks to cultivate an atmosphere where reverence for Christ supersedes individual egos, personal agendas, and divisions, leading the bride of Christ toward collective repentance, transformation, humility, and unity that can only come through the grace of God. It is not buildings, structures, or outward appearances that honor God most, but hearts that are humbly surrendered to Christ as their true foundation. Churches and ministries have been entrusted with people, truth, influence, and witness, and faithful stewardship requires intentional alignment with the holiness, humility, wisdom, love, and servant-hearted character of Jesus Christ. The Gospel Itself Paul's example teaches us to view every situation in which we find ourselves as an opportunity for spreading the gospel. Roger Ellsworth Perhaps the most sacred stewardship God has entrusted to His people is the Gospel itself-the message of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul speaks of the Gospel as a "good deposit" to be guarded faithfully through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:14), reminding believers that we are not merely recipients of grace, but stewards of eternal truth entrusted with proclaiming Christ to a lost and dying world. We are Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), called to speak the truth with clarity, compassion, and courage, proclaiming the hope found only in Jesus Christ. The Gospel declares that though all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Christ came into this world, lived the sinless life we could never live, died upon the cross for our sins, and rose again victorious over death so that all who repent and place their faith in Him might receive forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life. This sacred message is not to be hidden, neglected, or diluted, but faithfully proclaimed, taught, and passed on to future generations. Every gift, opportunity, relationship, resource, and breath God has entrusted to us ultimately finds its highest purpose in glorifying Christ and advancing His kingdom. One day we will stand before the Lord and give an account for how we stewarded all that He placed into our hands. One day our calendars, our gifts, our resources, our relationships, our ministries, and even our words will all be laid before Christ-not to determine our salvation, but to reveal what we truly lived for. The tragedy of life is not that we had too little-but that we used too much for ourselves and too little for eternity. May we therefore live as faithful stewards-guarding the truth, loving sacrificially, serving humbly, and proclaiming boldly the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ until the day we stand before Him face to face. Footnotes [1] William G. Berry, "The Stewardship of Time and Talents," in Baker's Dictionary of Practical Theology, ed. Ralph G. Turnbull (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1967), 342. [2] Taken from the following website: https://www.barna.com/research/awareness-of-spiritual-gifts-is-changing/ [3] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002-2013). [4] Taken from Wordeed Magazone, Winter 2026, page 7. [5] Ibid. [6] Brian C. Dennert, "Review of True North: Christ, the Gospel, and Creation Care by Mark Liederbach and Seth Bible," Themelios (2013), 38:1:166. [7] R. J. Berry, "Ecology," in New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic, ed. Martin Davie et al. (London; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press; InterVarsity Press, 2016), 281-282. [8] Taken from Wordeed Magazone, Winter 2026, page 7. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Study, 7:14 AM May 16, 2026.