Christians as Stewards

Christians as Stewards

2004008

Topic # 1373

Introduction:

A. During December, we talked about how we are servants of God. In fact, we are people owned by God.

1. When Jesus used servants to illustrate a teaching, Jewish listeners understood the illustration instantly.

2. This is not always the case today.

3. David Chadwell: in the American culture, it is difficult for Americans to view themselves as servants. The typical American perspective seems to be: “I’m the owner.”

B. Jesus was born to be God’s servant.

1. Becoming a servant of God is expected behavior for God’s child.

2. We learn from looking to Jesus what God expects of us as servants.

3. In His teaching on earth, Jesus labored hard to get this point across.

a) He wants us to aspire to the highest level of service!

b) He wants us to be servants who function as stewards.

C. What is a steward?

1. At first glance, we may see a steward as someone who is a responsible, capable servant who is trusted by the master.

2. Is there more to it than that?

3. Objective: increase our understanding of the role & work of a steward.

4. Often we miss the depth & significance of being God’s steward.

D. Challenge: Each one of us needs to create within us a keener consciousness of our opportunities; privileges; responsibilities; and potentials in worship to God & in service to man.

1. Boundless potential here!

2. I want to see us inspired to accept the challenge presented & act in a more dedicated way as good stewards of the grace of God.

3. Ready to study? Join us now as we look at some biblical expectations for God’s steward.

I. A Better Understanding.

A. Two NT Greek words are translated as “steward.”

1. First one: one who is entrusted w/the care or the honor of another person. Used in sense of a guardian or curator. See Mt. 20:8; Lk. 8:3.

2. Second one: one who is entrusted w/a responsibility of the household. Used in the sense of a manager or superintendent.

B. Closest concept to stewardship today: exercising & holding power of attorney.

1. One manages affairs of another person as if they were their own.

2. Pay their bills; use their money; use their property as if our own. But it’s still theirs.

C. Christians are stewards.

D. Acts 10:36 – Jesus is Lord of all.

1. He is the master of all who surrender their lives to Him.

2. And so, as responsible stewards, we use everything under our control in God’s best interests!

E. God expects us to:

1. Demonstrate our dependability; sensibility; and trustworthiness by conscientiously caring for the Master’s affairs.

2. Care for His affairs with as much devotion in His absence as in His presence.

F. Do we realize as God’s stewards – we have enormous privileges & much power? Do we realize the serious penalty that is associated w/abuse of these privileges & powers?

II. Principles of stewardship: Lk. 12:42-48.

A. Context:

1. 12:13 – man asks Jesus to order a brother to divide family inheritance.

a) 12:15 – beware of greed.

b) 12:16-21 – rich fool

2. 6:29-30 – we warned not to reduce life’s meaning & concerns to physical survival.

3. 6:35 – be alert for our spiritual responsibilities.

4. 6:41 – Peter’s question. 6:42-48 – Jesus’ answer.

B. 6:42 – read this & see if you determine character attributes that makes a servant a steward:

1. He was faithful. Someone who is responsible; dependable; trustworthy.

a) Can this be said of my spiritual service?

b) How many spew out “hot air” about spiritual service; but in reality there is little substance to our spiritual lives?

c) How many hot/cold? Is that dependable? Can we be trusted? Counted upon?

2. He was sensible.

a) Are we driven by good judgment or impulse?

b) Sensibility comes with spiritual maturity.

c) No higher priority than spiritual growth!

3. Because of his good qualities – this person placed in charge of his servants. Expected to give other servants rations at proper time.

C. 6:43-48 – blessings & a warning.

1. When steward demonstrated his conscientiousness & dependability – master placed steward in charge of all he owned.

2. 6:45 – acted foolishly? Punishment!

D. 6:47-48 – knowing & deliberately refuse to carry out mission as a steward – severe punishment!

1. 6:48 – important principle communicated here.

2. Much expected from the person to whom much has been given.

3. THE MOST is expected from the person to whom THE MOST is entrusted.

III. All things belong to God.

A. 1 Cor. 10:26 – memory verse. Brethren: there is nothing that is not his!

B. God gives gifts to man.

1. Wisdom; skills; capabilities; resources come from God.

2. 1 Cor. 4:7 – what do we have that we did not receive?

C. Ex. 31:1-6 – what skills were Bezalel given? From where did they come? What did God put in the hearts of these men?

1. Who do we get our skills from?

D. Deut. 8:17-18 – where did Israel get the power to get wealth?

1. Who do we get our wealth from?

2. How often do we respond to temptation to glory in self?

E. God give us, by inheritance, certain abilities; skills; & resources.

1. As His stewards – we are to develop them; cultivate them; and use them for His glory.

2. Take a personal inventory & see what He has blessed you with!

a) People person? Organizer? Listener? Encourager? Physical wealth?

b) Are there things God has blessed you with that you don’t realize yet?

c) Using what you have to gain more? Mt. 25:14-30

4. This is where faithfulness & dedication comes in!

F. He asks us to start with where we are; with what we have, use it, and do all we can with it!

G. We are merely possessors, not owners, of all we have!

1. Everything belongs to God! He is the owner!

2. Owners may possess – but a possessor doesn’t necessarily own!

3. As stewards we only have temporary control of some of God’s creation & His gifts to us.

4. 1 Tim. 6:7

H. More that one has been entrusted – more is expected.

IV. Stewards must give an account.

A. No escape from reckoning w/God.

1. 1 Cor. 4:2 – what is required in stewards?

2. Rom. 14:12

3. 2 Cor. 5:10 – according to what shall we give an account?

B. Mt. 25:14-30

1. Those given talents had to account for what they did.

2. One talent man condemned b/c he made no increase for the master.

a) He was unfaithful.

b) Best of intentions – but no follow-through.

C. Road to hell is paved w/good intentions!

Conclusion:

A. The only thing we “own” is our will.

1. We are free moral agents.

2. We choose who we will serve.

3. Who are you serving?

B. A major spiritual crisis occurs if we, the servants, regard ourselves as being the owner, the master.

1. The reality of death forever reminds Christians that we use, we do not own.

2. 1 Peter 4:10 – we use to serve & honor God! Not to serve/honor ourselves!

C. Honor him by giving yourself to Him; by taking advantage of His grace.

D. Obey the gospel today!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Christians as Stewards 2004008 Topic # 1373 Introduction: A. During December, we talked about how we are servants of God. In fact, we are people owned by God. 1. When Jesus used servants to illustrate a teaching, Jewish listeners understood the illustration instantly. 2. This is not always the case today. 3. David Chadwell: in the American culture, it is difficult for Americans to view themselves as servants. The typical American perspective seems to be: “I’m the owner.” B. Jesus was born to be God’s servant. 1. Becoming a servant of God is expected behavior for God’s child. 2. We learn from looking to Jesus what God expects of us as servants. 3. In His teaching on earth, Jesus labored hard to get this point across. a) He wants us to aspire to the highest level of service! b) He wants us to be servants who function as stewards. C. What is a steward? 1. At first glance, we may see a steward as someone who is a responsible, capable servant who is trusted by the master. 2. Is there more to it than that? 3. Objective: increase our understanding of the role & work of a steward. 4. Often we miss the depth & significance of being God’s steward. D. Challenge: Each one of us needs to create within us a keener consciousness of our opportunities; privileges; responsibilities; and potentials in worship to God & in service to man. 1. Boundless potential here! 2. I want to see us inspired to accept the challenge presented & act in a more dedicated way as good stewards of the grace of God. 3. Ready to study? Join us now as we look at some biblical expectations for God’s steward. I. A Better Understanding. A. Two NT Greek words are translated as “steward.” 1. First one: one who is entrusted w/the care or the honor of another person. Used in sense of a guardian or curator. See Mt. 20:8; Lk. 8:3. 2. Second one: one who is entrusted w/a responsibility of the household. Used in the sense of a manager or superintendent. B. Closest concept to stewardship today: exercising & holding power of attorney. 1. One manages affairs of another person as if they were their own. 2. Pay their bills; use their money; use their property as if our own. But it’s still theirs. C. Christians are stewards. D. Acts 10:36 – Jesus is Lord of all. 1. He is the master of all who surrender their lives to Him. 2. And so, as responsible stewards, we use everything under our control in God’s best interests! E. God expects us to: 1. Demonstrate our dependability; sensibility; and trustworthiness by conscientiously caring for the Master’s affairs. 2. Care for His affairs with as much devotion in His absence as in His presence. F. Do we realize as God’s stewards – we have enormous privileges & much power? Do we realize the serious penalty that is associated w/abuse of these privileges & powers? II. Principles of stewardship: Lk. 12:42-48. A. Context: 1. 12:13 – man asks Jesus to order a brother to divide family inheritance. a) 12:15 – beware of greed. b) 12:16-21 – rich fool 2. 6:29-30 – we warned not to reduce life’s meaning & concerns to physical survival. 3. 6:35 – be alert for our spiritual responsibilities. 4. 6:41 – Peter’s question. 6:42-48 – Jesus’ answer. B. 6:42 – read this & see if you determine character attributes that makes a servant a steward: 1. He was faithful. Someone who is responsible; dependable; trustworthy. a) Can this be said of my spiritual service? b) How many spew out “hot air” about spiritual service; but in reality there is little substance to our spiritual lives? c) How many hot/cold? Is that dependable? Can we be trusted? Counted upon? 2. He was sensible. a) Are we driven by good judgment or impulse? b) Sensibility comes with spiritual maturity. c) No higher priority than spiritual growth! 3. Because of his good qualities – this person placed in charge of his servants. Expected to give other servants rations at proper time. C. 6:43-48 – blessings & a warning. 1. When steward demonstrated his conscientiousness & dependability – master placed steward in charge of all he owned. 2. 6:45 – acted foolishly? Punishment! D. 6:47-48 – knowing & deliberately refuse to carry out mission as a steward – severe punishment! 1. 6:48 – important principle communicated here. 2. Much expected from the person to whom much has been given. 3. THE MOST is expected from the person to whom THE MOST is entrusted. III. All things belong to God. A. 1 Cor. 10:26 – memory verse. Brethren: there is nothing that is not his! B. God gives gifts to man. 1. Wisdom; skills; capabilities; resources come from God. 2. 1 Cor. 4:7 – what do we have that we did not receive? C. Ex. 31:1-6 – what skills were Bezalel given? From where did they come? What did God put in the hearts of these men? 1. Who do we get our skills from? D. Deut. 8:17-18 – where did Israel get the power to get wealth? 1. Who do we get our wealth from? 2. How often do we respond to temptation to glory in self? E. God give us, by inheritance, certain abilities; skills; & resources. 1. As His stewards – we are to develop them; cultivate them; and use them for His glory. 2. Take a personal inventory & see what He has blessed you with! a) People person? Organizer? Listener? Encourager? Physical wealth? b) Are there things God has blessed you with that you don’t realize yet? c) Using what you have to gain more? Mt. 25:14-30 4. This is where faithfulness & dedication comes in! F. He asks us to start with where we are; with what we have, use it, and do all we can with it! G. We are merely possessors, not owners, of all we have! 1. Everything belongs to God! He is the owner! 2. Owners may possess – but a possessor doesn’t necessarily own! 3. As stewards we only have temporary control of some of God’s creation & His gifts to us. 4. 1 Tim. 6:7 H. More that one has been entrusted – more is expected. IV. Stewards must give an account. A. No escape from reckoning w/God. 1. 1 Cor. 4:2 – what is required in stewards? 2. Rom. 14:12 3. 2 Cor. 5:10 – according to what shall we give an account? B. Mt. 25:14-30 1. Those given talents had to account for what they did. 2. One talent man condemned b/c he made no increase for the master. a) He was unfaithful. b) Best of intentions – but no follow-through. C. Road to hell is paved w/good intentions! Conclusion: A. The only thing we “own” is our will. 1. We are free moral agents. 2. We choose who we will serve. 3. Who are you serving? B. A major spiritual crisis occurs if we, the servants, regard ourselves as being the owner, the master. 1. The reality of death forever reminds Christians that we use, we do not own. 2. 1 Peter 4:10 – we use to serve & honor God! Not to serve/honor ourselves! C. Honor him by giving yourself to Him; by taking advantage of His grace. D. Obey the gospel today! E. I N V I T A T I O N