Ownership2
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Last week, we saw that God is the owner of everything!
Because of this, we should
be content with his giving decisions
Trust God for provision(prabandah)
Make spiritual spending(kharcha) decisions
Today, we will talk more about this last thing
How we spend
How we use money
And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.
The Bible uses the word “steward” (bhanDari)
What is a steward? What does a steward do?
He watches the possessions of another
He manages(prabandha garnu) the possessions of another
We see many stewards in the Bible
Eliezer
And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
The steward of Joseph’s house:
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
Chuza(Herod’s steward):
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
We see that God’s servants are supposed to be stewards:
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
In the New Testament, we see many times that the steward is used for an illustration(udaharan)(drishTaanta)
It is a good illustration
Because God is the owner of everything(last week)
We are the stewards of his wealth(daan) and treasure(sampati)
How can we be good stewards?
We see an often used word with God’s expectation for stewards:
Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said,
Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Faithful!
How can we be faithful stewards?
1. Be faithful with all that we have
1. Be faithful with all that we have
When we think of being God’s stewards
Surely we think of giving to the church
Tithes, offering, etc.
But a steward should be faithful in every area
Not just one area
Some people give their tithe
But waste money in other areas(kha’gaarnu)
This is not being a faithful steward
2. Be faithful how much ever we have
2. Be faithful how much ever we have
We often say: “If I had more… I would....”
Use what you have!
God doesn’t call perfect men and women for his work
He calls us as we are
In our current situation
Right now
God doesn’t call rich people only!
God’s commands for giving are for all
Rich, poor, and everyone in the middle
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
God does not give to all men equally(baraa-bari)
But he expects faithful stewardship
If I give 100 rupees to the bank...
“Go and buy some rice with his money… it’s so little!”
Stop looking at your lack(kami, abhaab)
Start looking at your responsibility!
Be a good steward, how much ever is given
3. Be faithful in little things
3. Be faithful in little things
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
If you cannot sweep the floor nicely
Why should I believe you will study and prepare a good message?
If you will not be serious in serving the children that come
Why should I believe you will minister well to the adults(bayaska-haru)
If I do not pray for and work hard with a small church
Why will God send more people?
We should be faithful stewards in every area of our lives
In small areas first
As God gives more, we should be faithful in the big things also
4. Be faithful with the possessions of others
4. Be faithful with the possessions of others
And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Remember that the possessions of others are still
God’s possessions
Are you a good steward with your office computer/supplies
Waste electricity/paper
With your friend’s bike
Drive crazy
With the roads and environment
Throw garbage/paper/plastic
Society(samaaj) says: It’s your money, spend according to your desires!
God says: It is my money, be a faithful steward!