Stewardship

Stewardship, part 3
doing it all for God

how the Macedonians gave…
• out of most severe trial…overflowing joy
• extreme poverty…rich generosity
• as much as they were able…and beyond
• initiative…pleaded for the privilege of sharing
• gave themselves first to the Lord

how vs. how much
• an act of grace
• an expression of love
• eager willingness…voluntarily
• according to your means…proportional
• set aside and ready…planned/prepared
• generously

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9

stewardship is matter of trust
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6,8

the heart to give generously
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Stewardship, part 2
First And Best

“Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God…
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” – Exodus 34:26a; Proverbs 3:9-10

How to think about priorities…NOT
• God
• Family
• Church
• Work
• Government
• Self
• Other

How to think about priorities…

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?...the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:25, 32-33

“The secret of true obedience is the clear and close personal relationship to God. All our attempts after full obedience will be failures until we get access to his abiding fellowship. It is God’s holy presence consciously abiding with us that keeps us from disobeying Him. I must consciously include the Lord in every thought, activity, and conversation until the habit is established.” – Andrew Murray

Demonstrating who and what is pre-imminent in my life…
• How can I better honor the Lord’s place over my life?
• What should giving him “the first and the best” look like in me?

Stewardship, part 1
God Owns it All

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” – Genesis1:1; Deuteronomy 10:14

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it…every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” – Psalm 24:1; 50:10

Everything exists for God
“For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:16-17

I can hold on to nothing
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-7

So what…
• Accept God’s ownership
• Relinquish my “rights”
• Assume responsibility as a steward…
– Avoid giving up
– Seek the glory of God and experience his joy

To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations as it is today…Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer…Fear the Lord your God and serve him… -- Deuteronomy 10:14ff