Whole Life Stewardship

 

1.      It all belongs to God

Psalm 24:1 (NIV) The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Job 41:11 (NIV) Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

 1 Cor 6:19b-20 (NKJV) You are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

2.      Stewardship toward purpose

1 Pet 4:10 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

Mtt. 6:21 (NIV) for where your treasure is there your heart will be also

 Luke 16:10-12 (NLT) “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?  And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

 

“The Lord is inviting us into a partnership to see that natural obedience is linked with Spiritual blessings” – Bill J.

 

Matthew 25:14-18 (NLT) “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last, dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

 

3.      Stewardship with God

John 14:18-20 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

 John 15:5 (NIV) “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

 Matthew 25:21 (NLT) “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

 719 million people – 9.2 % of the world’s population are living on less than $2.15 a day

 

Redemptive Stewardship (adapted from Crown Financial Ministries)

 

1.      Time Eph. 5:16 (NKJV) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 2.    Relationships

Col 4:5 (CEV) When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time.

John 13:34 (NLT) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

 Eph 4:3 (NLT) Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace

 

3.      Resources

Luke 12:42-43 (NLT) And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.  If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward

 

4.      Vocational, Business

Eph 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 Col 3:23-24 (NLT) Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ

 

5.      Gospel

Mtt 28:19-20 (NLT) Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

6.      Generational

Duet 6:6-7 (NLT) And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 

Prov 13:22a (NIV) A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,

 

7.      Environmental

Gen 2:15 (NIV) The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV) "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

 

“How much is too much?  Whatever replaces trust.”  Bill Johnson

 

Matthew 15:36 (NLT) Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.

Questions for discussion/reflection:

1.      What are some foundational practices for stewardship of money?

2.      What are some purposes in stewardship?

3.      Why is stewardship important?

4.      Do you feel that you spend more time stewarding for God or with God?  Why?

5.      What are some different areas of whole life stewardship you feel you could grow in?

6.      Do you need to pursue some tools/assistance for better financial stewardship?

7.      How much do you think would be “too much” for you (replacing trust in God)?

8.      How can the practice of gratitude be better integrated with your stewardship?