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 ___________.

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 ____________.

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 ____ & regulations.

3. He had a poor understanding of what it meant to be ________ person.

4. He believed you could do what was required w/o __________ 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 _____________ his brother.

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

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 _________; not worthy of being a ______.

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 ___________ & holy sacrifices.

1. 12:2 – stewardship begins w/a _____________. 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 _________ behavior – that reflects TOTAL existence on Jesus Christ.

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

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

2. Stewardship involves what a person ___ as well as what a person _____.

3. It is the _____________ 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 ___________. 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 ____________. 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 ____ & regulations. 3. He had a poor understanding of what it meant to be ________ person. 4. He believed you could do what was required w/o __________ 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 _____________ his brother. 3. Self absorbed in what he perceived to be physical injustices. 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 _________; not worthy of being a ______. 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 ___________ & holy sacrifices. 1. 12:2 – stewardship begins w/a _____________. 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 _________ behavior – that reflects TOTAL existence on Jesus Christ. F. Christian stewardship begins with the attitudes & perspective of a ____ heart. 1. Godly stewardship is an expression of a godly heart controlling a godly person. 2. Stewardship involves what a person ___ as well as what a person _____. 3. It is the _____________ person that becomes a steward. Conclusion: A. Have you been converted?