Biblical Stewardship (Part 1)
Notes
Transcript
Review:
Review:
Turn to Genesis 2:15
Our previous chapter was on the subject of Overcoming Sin. We learned that we must tenaciously strive against sin in our lives because it hinders our fellowship with God. Meanwhile, we actively trust God for grace to live in the victory that Christ has won for us.
We saw that the daily practice of overcoming sin is as follows:
Start every day with God
Submit yourself to the Spirit of God by faith!
Avoid unforced errors
Be aware of the battle in your mind
When you sin, immediately confess that sin to God
Don’t fight your battles alone
Be busy for the Lord
Remember: we are learning this material so that we can teach others these principles.
Introduction - Chapter twelve: Biblical Stewardship
Introduction - Chapter twelve: Biblical Stewardship
Read slowly:
If you are a Christian, you are in management.
“Pastor Tim, what do you mean? I’ve not worked a day in management in my life.”
Well, that may be true, but if you are a Christian, God says that you are a manager.
Begin by reading highlighted portions on page 79.
Next slide here:
Stewardship: “Responsibility to manage all the resources of life for the glory of God, acknowledging God as provider.” - Holeman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
The very first example of stewardship in the Bible is found with the very first man that God created.
Read Genesis 2:15
Who made the Garden of Eden? God did
Who did God put in the garden? Adam
Why did God put Adam in the garden? To dress it and to keep it (to steward it)
Next slide here:
Steward: “one who carefully oversees the possessions God has loaned him” - First Steps For New Christians, page 80
That’s exactly what Adam was doing in the garden.
Turn to and read Genesis 15:2 - first use of the term “steward” in the Bible
Turn to and read Genesis 43:19, 44:1 and 4
Turn to and read Matthew 20:8
In this context, a steward was a manager of a household or lands. He was an overseer.
Turn to and read Galatians 4:1-2
Tutor: same word as “steward” - one who has the care of children, a guardian
There are two greek words in the New Testament that are translated “steward” in the King James. Combined, these two words convey this meaning:
Next slide here:
Steward: (1) a manager of a household or lands, an overseer, (2) one who has the care of children, a guardian - GELNT
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Stewardship
The biblical concept of stewardship, beginning with Adam and Eve and developed more fully in the NT,
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Stewardship
Since all belongs to Him [including ourselves], it is incumbent that all be used for His purposes and glory. A collective responsibility was given to mankind to have dominion over the earth, care for it, and manage it for His glory. Individually, whether financial resources, real property, other valuable items, time, influence, or opportunity, the believer is to seek the mind and will of God for every decision. God not only expects that we return a portion of what He gives us as tithes and offerings, He expects for all that we have to be used in ways which please and honor Him. He expects that we, regardless of vocation, will exercise responsible stewardship, on His behalf, of every day that we live.
On pages 80-81, the author talks about the purpose of stewardship. I want to touch on that concept. He gives two points.
To manage the owner’s resources
To multiply the owner’s resources (critical!)
If you are saved, the Bible says that you are “bought with a price”!
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Application: God paid a high price when Jesus died on the cross for you and me! He sacrificed so much to save you! Make sure that He gets a good return on your life!
We’ll talk about money later, but I want to you see that stewardship includes so much more than money. It includes your time! It includes your body and health! It includes your mind! It includes your family and others that you care for! Biblical stewardship encompasses every area of your life!
How seriously are you taking your stewardship? How carefully are you managing God’s resources?
You have been bought with a price, so bring glory to God by carefully managing His resources.
“Pastor Tim, I worked for everything I have.”
Praise the Lord! Just understand: that with every breath you took, you worked on borrowed oxygen. God didn’t charge you a penny for that breath you just took.
God is the owner. We’re just managers.
As much as you possibly can and as much as God’s grace will allow, make every day and every dollar that God gives you a good investment.
“What does that look like, Pastor Tim? Are you saying that every dollar I make I need to invest in the stock market?”
No, that’s not what I’m saying! I’m saying live every day doing the will of God.
If God gives you another day of life tomorrow, it’s not your day, its His day. Manage it wisely for His glory.
If God give you another paycheck tomorrow, it’s not your paycheck, it’s His paycheck. Manage it wisely for His glory.
Whatever you have that is good, is from God. Manage it wisely. You are a steward.
Like I said, if you are a Christian, you are in management. Be the best manager of God’s resources that you can possibly be.
