Understanding Stewardship: Biblical Insights on Management and Faithfulness

LUKE 16:1-14 STEWARDSHIP

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Eccl 2:24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and Eccl 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and Eccl 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11 12 KJV)

Steward- one who has the responsibility of oversight, or an administrator over the property, affairs, or household of another Stewardship- is the management of a household Webster s Dictionary

Stewardship Things to consider about stewardship Stewards must be faithful Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (1Corinthians 4:1 2 KJV) Everything is God s For the earth is the Lord s, and the fulness thereof. (1Corinthians 10:26 KJV)

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:32 KJV)

Stewardship What Are We Stewards Of? Our lives We have the power to make decisions Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24 26 KJV)

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:6 8 KJV)

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24.15 KJV) which was delivered you.Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6.15 18 KJV)

Stewardship What Are We Stewards Of? Our lives We have the power to make decisions Yet, we must never be presumptuous Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4.13 17 KJV)

Stewardship What Are We Stewards Of? Our Abilities We must use the resources, abilities, and opportunities granted by God, to the best of our capabilities (1 Tim 4:11-15)

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12.6 8 KJV)

Stewardship What Are We Stewards Of? Our Time We have but a short time upon this earth and we must use and utilize that time wisely Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4.14 KJV)

For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh.The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalms 90:9 10 NKJV)

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15 17 KJV) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5 KJV)

redeeming-to make a wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well-doing are as it were the purchase-money by which we make the time our own; Joseph Thayer Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6.10 NAS95) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. (John 12.35 KJV)

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1Peter 1:17 18 KJV)

Stewardship Stewardship As Related To Giving $ Our giving is a reflection of our stewardship. This is not measured solely by the amount given, but that amount, in relationship to our resources Our giving specifically on the first day of the week is an acknowledgment of our ownership to God (Matt 6:27-34) (Mk 12:41-44) (2 Cor 8:1-7)

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; (1Thessalonians 4.9 10 KJV)

Stewardship Stewardship As Related To Giving There are principles that must govern our giving We must give of ourselves first (2 Cor 8:5) We must remember that we cannot buy God s favor Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. (2 Chronicles 19.7 KJV)

Stewardship Stewardship As Related To Giving There are principles that must govern our giving Our giving must be motivated by love And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1Corinthians 13:3 NKJV) We must give the first fruits of our labor (Mal 1:7-13; 1 Cor 16:1-2). upon the first day of the week We must give cheerfully (2 Cor 9:7)

Stewardship Differences or Distinctions In Types of Giving Tip: No rule or purpose; reactionary and subjective Entertainment: Conditional, based on fulfillment Sponge: Giving when under pressure (Annanias & Sapphira- Acts 4:36-5:4) Tithe: Obligatory under the Law of Moses. Improperly applied today as means of expected repayment by God cf (Mal 3:10). Tithing is really investing Christian: Full and balanced giving, according to the commandment of God (2 Cor 9:1-15)

Stewardship We Should, Can, And Must Give That Which We Are Able Ourselves In Love Our Belongings Freely Properly Using What He Has Given Us This Is Good Stewardship

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35 KJV)