9 Marks of a Healthy Marriage: Godly Stewardship

Week #8 - March 20, 2022

Series: Nine Marks of a Healthy Marriage

Lesson: Godly Stewardship

What is the goal of the lesson?

To lovingly shepherd the hearts of the hearers to see their responsibility as stewards of God’s gracious gifts in words and actions.

Is there a need for this topic or goal?

Yes. We tend to forget that we are stewards of all we are and have.

Ben Shroyer on financials.

Yes. We tend to think that gifts are for only a select few. (charisma - God’s grace implied; each one - all have received)

Yes. We tend to serve ourselves first before we serve others with God’s grace.

Yes. We tend to steward when it is most comfortable and convenient for us.

What does this topic have to do with a healthy marriage?

What is the big idea?

Godly stewardship is the continual recognition of and appropriation of that which belongs to the Lord — including the appropriation of both speech and service.

You are a steward of speech (that God has rights to) towards your spouse.

Stewarding oracles of God in word means: that the content of what we speak to our spouse should bear the character of God’s words and God’s intentions, as opposed to our own intentions (I Peter: Hermeneia).

“if any man speak” - this shows us WHEN we should steward our speech — WHEN we speak.

Do your words reveal the Word? (in particular when you are under stress) - Matthew 10:19.

Do you use your words:

To build up or to brake down?

To lift up or to lash out?

To make strong or to manipulate?

Is the word of God the authority in this assessment?

When under stress do you fall back on your past experience or on the Word?

You are a steward of service (that God has rights to) towards your spouse.

Stewarding our service means: forms of Christian ministry, other than speech, that are done for the benefit of your spouse.

“if any man minister” - the expectation is that Christian service will happen.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (4) Living in Light of the End (4:7–11)

What is most important, of course, is the purpose for having gifts. Gifts are not given so that believers can congratulate themselves on their abilities. They are bestowed “to serve others.”

1, 2 Peter, Jude (4) Living in Light of the End (4:7–11)

The point is that spiritual gifts are given to serve and to help others, to strengthen others in the faith. They are bestowed for ministry, not to enhance self-esteem.

1, 2 Peter, Jude (4) Living in Light of the End (4:7–11)

Spiritual gifts are not fundamentally a privilege but a responsibility, a call to be faithful to what God has bestowed.

“ability” how do we assess this?

Ability is not determined solely by circumstances.

Ability is God-given strength that produces God-glorifying passion and practice. Matthew 12:30.

Ability is beyond common grace.

Ability is exemplified by Jesus.

Jesus’ service was truly painful to his soul and body. Mark 10:45. [life a ransom]

Jesus’s service was truly selfless, preferring others better than self. [i.e. washed disciples feet]

Jesus’ service was offered despite inconvenience. [when did Jesus wash the disciples feet?]

Jesus’ service was motivated by the Lord. [not a service that can be paid back].

How do I lay down my life for my spouse (and others) in a way that is a supernatural working of God’s grace?

You are a steward of the opportunity to praise God by your speech and service.

Stewarding our speech and service allows us to praise God because of Jesus Christ.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation D. The Life for God’s Glory (4:7–11)

Serving fellow Christians does glorify God because people will praise him for his grace that comes to them through Jesus and through his followers.

Your stewardship of speech and service should extend to the community.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation D. The Life for God’s Glory (4:7–11)

One of the longstanding misconceptions in church practice is the idea that only one person is to “minister” in the local church. The biblical principle is that all can and should minister in one way or another

Your stewardship is by God-given grace.

Godly stewardship is the continual recognition of and appropriation of that which belongs to the Lord — including the appropriation of both speech and service.