10 We Are Stewards

Introduction

Wrestling with finances, giving is down, need for repairs is up.

In the bigger picture of the Kingdom of God, finances are just a small part. There is so much more at stake. There are bigger issues that must be addressed.

This month focusing on that bigger picture. Our theme is We Give. But it isn’t about tithing.

Three topics stewardship, generosity, and giving. Starting with the bigger picture and overall command to be faithful stewards.

Points

Stewardship Principles from Hugh Welchel Institute for Faith, Work & Economics tifwe.org

Ownership

The beginning of stewardship is clear ownership. ownership begins with source.

Begin at the beginning. Genesis 1

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 God created.

God created. He is the source of all that exists.

Let us make man in our image 27 God created man in his own image male and female.

no bushes or plants of the field because no man to work the ground, 7 the Lord God formed the man of the dust from the ground breathed breath of life, man a living creature.

Psalm 24:1 NIV

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

The earth, everything, everyone belongs to God

The earth, everyone, everything belongs to God

Colossians 1:15–16 NIV

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

created by and for Him.

Christ is central. created by and for Him.

preparing to go into promised land, reminded that all they have comes from God, even the ability to work and provide for themselves.

Acts 17:24–25 NIV

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

Read.

The source. The owner. Creator God.

Responsibility

dominion = rule, 28 be fruitful, multiply subdue rule.

Example (bedroom for kids. Paint, decorate, etc. )

planted garden and put man in the garden. 15 to work it and guard it. 16-17 Dominion over all except one tree.

Joel Salatin – model organic farm, on stewardship. Mankind higher order than animals, to steward creation, leave the world a more abundant place than we found it. Using our work to create abundance to be shared with others.

but Isn’t it like man to want everything, to take what isn’t ours too. Not satisfied with what God gives.

18-24 God creates woman from man. Brought her to the man. Become One flesh. So even in this, God owns everything and God’s intention is not for man to rule over woman but partners together to rule over creation.

Joel Salatin – model organic farm, on stewardship. Mankind higher order than animals, to steward creation, leave the world a more abundant place than we found it. Using our work to create abundance to be shared with others.

Concept of steward – one who manages resources on behalf of another. Lots of examples - Adam (above), Joseph in Potiphar's house, Moses and sabbath year in stewarding resources, Daniel overseeing Babylon.

Jesus bestowed responsibility on the disciples, along with the power needed to accomplish their mission.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 ESV

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

required of stewards that they be found faithful.

required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Accountability

Jesus told parables to help people understand our responsibility as stewards and to hold us accountable.

Rich fool – built bigger barns to accommodate great harvest, but his life was required. Judged for not being rich toward God.

Unrighteous steward - did a poor job managing and was fired. What he did next was the point of the parable – using his share of the wealth to help others so they would also help him.

Zacchaeus – restitution. Making it right when you wronged someone.

Talents –

Highlights of accountability

V14 = Owner. The Kingdom of Heaven is like… Master.

V14-15 = Stewards and responsibility. Master gave wealth to servants/stewards to manage while he was gone.

V16-18 = stewarding resources/wealth. Invest. Surplus for Kingdom.

V19-25 (first part of each verse) = accountability. Master returns and asks for accounting of their work. Each one gives account

What Jesus is showing by parable is that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. He has gone away and entrusted the resources of the Kingdom to servants to invest and advance the Kingdom. He will return to receive an accounting from each of us.

The amazing thing here is what the master says next to each of the servants.

Reward

Read

3 aspects of reward – v21, 23. faithful blessed, given more to manage, enter into joy of master.

Reward for unfaithful, however

V26, 28. Evil, lazy servant. Unfaithful reprimanded, have resources removed, tossed out to suffer.

V29 who has will be given more and have abundance.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

sow/reap will look at context later.

sow/reap will look at context later.

work for the Lord, reward is inheritance from the Lord.

Colossians 3:23–24 NIV

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

work for the Lord, reward is inheritance from the Lord.

Principle of reward to faithful.

3 aspects of reward – v21, 23. faithful blessed, given more to manage, enter into joy of master.

Reward for unfaithful, however

V26, 28. Evil, lazy servant. Unfaithful reprimanded, have resources removed, tossed out to suffer.

V29 who has will be given more and have abundance.

Conclusion

Stewardship is not one more thing we have to do, but a way of seeing everything we already do in a very different light.

Therefore, stewardship expresses our obedience regarding the administration of everything God has placed under our control, which is all encompassing.

Stewardship is the commitment of one’s self and possessions to God’s service, recognizing that we do not have the right of control over our property or ourselves.

In other words, as disciples, followers of Jesus, God's Spirit transforms us from being consumers into conduits. The vessels through which God blesses the world around us.

As in the parable of talents, third steward hid the talent, afraid of the master. Afraid to fail maybe?

God is not mean. Not waiting for you to fail so He can cast you out. Stewardship means taking responsibility, but if you try and fall short, remember your efforts alone please God.

Big Idea: Stewardship is faithfully managing the resources of our Master to create abundance and bless those around us.

Stewardship connects everything we do with what God is doing in the world, therefore we need to be faithful stewards of all God has given us to glorify him, serve the common good, and further his kingdom.

Areas of stewardship include far more than just money.

· Property - homes, vehicles, stuff…

· Natural abilities

· Time and how we use it.

· Spiritual gifts

· Work and play

· Relationships

· Influence and power

· Our bodies

· Creation – doing our part to care for our part in God’s world/kingdom. Cleaning up after ourselves, letting things in better condition than we found them, rescuing and restoring what is not as God intended it to be.

As a church that means stewarding

· Finances of course

· Facilities

· People

· Spiritual gifts

· Relationships

· Influence and power

· The body of Christ – collectively, globally

· Creation - not just individually in the small amount we've been given, but collectively continuing the job given to Adam.

What About You?

We too often politicize and polarize around things that need addressed and then nothing of value gets done. Abortion, climate change, racism, human trafficking, poverty and homelessness, crime.

What if we would look around our community and find what are the one or two biggest issues, find who is already addressing those, and come along side to do our part?

Stewardship connects everything we do with what God is doing in the world, therefore we need to be faithful stewards of all God has given us to glorify him, serve the common good, and further his kingdom.

Prayer time –

Benediction

1 Chronicles 29:10–13 ESV

10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.