Keys to Godly Stewardship

Keys to Godly Stewardship
Introduction:

Christianity is a whole person response to God. We respond to God internally & externally. The body follows the heart. See Pro. 4:23; Pro. 23:7. All obedience is based on love & faith. Obedience from necessity or from ungodly motives meaningless to God! What has all this to do w/stewardship? We run into problems w/our Christianity because of improper attitudes & perspectives. So we must change them for better. Only a godly servant’s heart produces the attitudes & perspectives of a godly steward.

I. Problems result when our attitudes & perspectives center on the physical.

A. Lk. 12:15-21 – the rich fool

1. Ask: How did this man view the big picture of human existence?

a) 12:17-19 – is God in his picture? Is God in the equation?

2. The rich fool gave no consideration to God.

3. 12:23 – life is more than food, body more than clothing.

B. Mk. 10:17-22 – Rich Young Ruler

1. How did this man view the big picture of human existence?

2. God was in his picture IF God was represented by rules & regulations.

3. He had a poor understanding of what it meant to be God’s person.

4. He believed you could do what was required w/o belonging to God!

C. Lk. 15:25-32 – prodigal son’s older brother:

1. Was God in his picture? Who was the central figure in his life view?

2. He was to be considered BEFORE his brother.

3. Self absorbed in what he perceived to be physical injuries.

II. A great contrast:

A. Lk. 15:11-24 – prodigal son.

B. 15:17 – after he came to his senses:

1. Who is in the center of his picture? Self? God?

2. 18:19 – He asked to be a servant; not worthy of being a son.

C. Every redeemed sinner must begin w/the same realization!

III. Attitude & perspective are essential in stewardship!

A. Beginning in Rom. 12 – Paul makes clear how proper attitudes & perspectives would work to change attitudes & behavior.

B. 12:1 – we expected to present ourselves as living & holy sacrifices.

1. 12:2 – stewardship begins w/a transformation. Consider Rom. 12:10

C. 12:10-21 - godly perspectives in action:

D. Unless attitudes & perspectives are correct–these responses will NOT occur.

E. Rom. 12 presents to us the actions; attitudes; and perspective of a steward.

1. It IS heart behavior – that reflects TOTAL existence on Jesus Christ.

F. Christian stewardship begins with the attitudes & perspective of a godly heart.

1. Godly stewardship is an expression of a godly heart controlling a godly person.

2. Stewardship involves what a person IS as well as what a person DOES.

3. It is the converted person that becomes a steward.

Conclusion:

A. Have you been converted?



Keys to Godly Stewardship Introduction: Christianity is a whole person response to God. We respond to God internally & externally. The body follows the heart. See Pro. 4:23; Pro. 23:7. All obedience is based on love & faith. Obedience from necessity or from ungodly motives meaningless to God! What has all this to do w/stewardship? We run into problems w/our Christianity because of improper attitudes & perspectives. So we must change them for better. Only a godly servant’s heart produces the attitudes & perspectives of a godly steward. I. Problems result when our attitudes & perspectives center on the physical. A. Lk. 12:15-21 – the rich fool 1. Ask: How did this man view the big picture of human existence? a) 12:17-19 – is God in his picture? Is God in the equation? 2. The rich fool gave no consideration to God. 3. 12:23 – life is more than food, body more than clothing. B. Mk. 10:17-22 – Rich Young Ruler 1. How did this man view the big picture of human existence? 2. God was in his picture IF God was represented by rules & regulations. 3. He had a poor understanding of what it meant to be God’s person. 4. He believed you could do what was required w/o belonging to God! C. Lk. 15:25-32 – prodigal son’s older brother: 1. Was God in his picture? Who was the central figure in his life view? 2. He was to be considered BEFORE his brother. 3. Self absorbed in what he perceived to be physical injuries. II. A great contrast: A. Lk. 15:11-24 – prodigal son. B. 15:17 – after he came to his senses: 1. Who is in the center of his picture? Self? God? 2. 18:19 – He asked to be a servant; not worthy of being a son. C. Every redeemed sinner must begin w/the same realization! III. Attitude & perspective are essential in stewardship! A. Beginning in Rom. 12 – Paul makes clear how proper attitudes & perspectives would work to change attitudes & behavior. B. 12:1 – we expected to present ourselves as living & holy sacrifices. 1. 12:2 – stewardship begins w/a transformation. Consider Rom. 12:10 C. 12:10-21 - godly perspectives in action: D. Unless attitudes & perspectives are correct–these responses will NOT occur. E. Rom. 12 presents to us the actions; attitudes; and perspective of a steward. 1. It IS heart behavior – that reflects TOTAL existence on Jesus Christ. F. Christian stewardship begins with the attitudes & perspective of a godly heart. 1. Godly stewardship is an expression of a godly heart controlling a godly person. 2. Stewardship involves what a person IS as well as what a person DOES. 3. It is the converted person that becomes a steward. Conclusion: A. Have you been converted?