Whole Life Stewardship

 

1 Tim 2:1-4 (NIV) I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

7 Key Areas for 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.