Stewardship for the Purpose of Godliness

The Disciplined Use of Time

Use time wisely “because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15–16 NASB95

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Wise use of time is the preparation for eternity.

Time is short.

James 4:14 NASB95

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Time is passing.

1 John 2:17 NASB95

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

The remaining time is uncertain.

Proverbs 27:1 NASB95

Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Time lost cannot be regained.

John 9:4 NASB95

“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.

Philippians 3:13–14 NASB95

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

You are accountable to God for your time.

Romans 14:12 NASB95

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Time is so easily lost.

We value time at death.

Times value in eternity.

The Disciplined Use of Money

1 Timothy 5:8 NASB95

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

God owns everything you own.

1 Corinthians 10:26 NASB95

for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains.

Haggai 2:8 NASB95

‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the Lord of hosts.

Giving is an act of worship.

Philippians 4:18 NASB95

But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Giving reflects faith in God’s provision.

Mark 12:41–44 NASB95

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Giving should be sacrificial and generous.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 NASB95

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

Giving reflects spiritual trustworthiness.

Luke 16:10–13 NASB95

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Giving - love, not legalism.

2 Corinthians 8:7 NASB95

But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

Give willfully, thankfully, cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NASB95

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Giving - an appropriate response to real needs.

Acts 2:43–45 NASB95

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Giving should be planned and systematic.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 NASB95

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

Generous giving results in bountiful blessings.

Luke 6:38 NASB95

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”