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This week we begin a new 4-week series on the biblical perspective of all your stuff, you know your material possessions. Now, here's what you're thinking, this is going to be one of those series that makes you feel guilty about what you have and what you give - well, maybe it will be, or maybe it won't be. But think about this - when God's Word does convict you, don't you think that it does so for a reason? It does for me! The truth of the matter is this - we do live in a materialistic culture where many people, even Christians, are more concerned with comfort, self-gratification, and wealth, than with godly pursuits and passions. Now, we really don't want to admit to these things, so instead we think - I'm not GREEDY, and no, I don't just think of MYSELF, and WEALTHY, ha - not me, in fact I need more money, not less! After all, I have worked pretty hard for what I have and own - RIGHT... SURE THING!
Our series of lessons asks each of us 4 questions:
- What do you own?
- Where is your treasure?
- How much is enough?
- Why be generous?
Now, guess what, I'm going to struggle through this series too, so let's just do it together - okay?
Lesson #1
This week we are studying the doctrine of stewardship - the fact that all we have (time, talent, treasure) is entrusted to our stewardship by God.
Before we begin, stewardship is undoubtedly one of the subjects that people are often least enthusiastic to study. Yet, Jesus devoted roughly 25% of his words in the Gospels to our resources and our stewardship of them. This includes some 28 passages in the Gospels. And, in the Old and New Testaments combined there are over 800 verses on the subject on topics ranging from planning and budgeting, saving and investing, debt and tithing. Furthermore, money and wealth and possessions are the greatest idols in our culture and there is simply no way to be a disciple of Jesus who does not learn to worship God with our stewardship.
What is stewardship?
A steward is a person, who by God’s grace, belongs to God. And, because they belong to God they recognize that ultimately everything they are and have belongs to God and has been given to them as a gift. Therefore, they then seek to both enjoy the gifts God has given them as well as invest those gifts in others and the future by distributing them wisely. We have 3 categories that we must steward: our time, our talents and our treasure or wealth. The fact that God owns everything and we are to steward it faithfully also explains why when people fail to do so God charges them with robbing or stealing from Him (Malachi 3:8-10).
Before we begin, stewardship is undoubtedly one of the subjects that people are often least enthusiastic to study. Yet, Jesus devoted roughly 25% of his words in the Gospels to our resources and our stewardship of them. This includes some 28 passages in the Gospels. And, in the Old and New Testaments combined there are over 800 verses on the subject on topics ranging from planning and budgeting, saving and investing, debt and tithing. Furthermore, money and wealth and possessions are the greatest idols in our culture and there is simply no way to be a disciple of Jesus who does not learn to worship God with our stewardship.
What is stewardship?
A steward is a person, who by God’s grace, belongs to God. And, because they belong to God they recognize that ultimately everything they are and have belongs to God and has been given to them as a gift. Therefore, they then seek to both enjoy the gifts God has given them as well as invest those gifts in others and the future by distributing them wisely. We have 3 categories that we must steward: our time, our talents and our treasure or wealth. The fact that God owns everything and we are to steward it faithfully also explains why when people fail to do so God charges them with robbing or stealing from Him (Malachi 3:8-10).
Defining what is meant by wealth is important. Everything we have, given to us by God, including our finances, jobs, houses, products of our land, businesses, automobiles and personal items is part of our wealth.
- Well, it warns us against the desire to be rich (1 Tim 6:9, 18, 19; Hebrews 13:5-6).
- It gives some general guidelines for what the rich should do (1 Tim 6:17-19; Matt 6:19-21; Luke 12:32-34; Luke 14:13-14).
- And it explains why God has given us so much: Ephesians 4:28 says, “The thief no longer steals, but rather let him work, doing honest work with hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.”
In other words, there are three levels of how to live with things: 1) steal to get, 2) work to get, or 3) work to get in order to give.
Too many Christians live on level two. Almost all the forces of our culture urge them to live on level two. But God pushes us to level three and critiques level two.
Who owns everything?
Essential to the doctrine of stewardship is that everything ultimately belongs to God. The great myths are that we own anything, that we deserve anything, that we can do anything good apart from God and that we are sovereign over our own lives. Nothing good that we have or do originates with us, it all comes from the hand of God as the Scriptures repeatedly and emphatically declare (Deuteronomy 8:17-18;Psalm 50:10; Haggai 2:8; James 1:16-18).
This week we hear from King David near the end of his life, he has two major concerns. One had to do with his successor. He wanted the people to receive Solomon as his heir to the throne, and his second concern was to prepare for the building of the temple. The final two chapters of 1 Chronicles contain David's last address and last public prayer. I think what people have to say before they die are pretty important things to consider.
1 Chronicles 29:1-20
What This Lesson Is About - Recognizing God's ownership of everything we have. Ask yourself this - In what ways do you acknowledge God as owner of all things?
Prepare your hearts this week, for God does test the heart, as we journey into the very mind of God and what He has to say to each one of us about our stewardship of His great gifts.
See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
