Embracing Humility: The Path to True Stewardship

Today’s reflection centers on the deep connection between justice, stewardship, fear, and humility in our walk with God. The readings invite us to consider how our devotion to God, especially as seen in practices like Sabbath observance, can sometimes be twisted into justification for injustice. The prophet Amos highlights how religious observance can be used as an excuse for unethical behavior, as people try to compensate for what they feel they’ve lost by serving God. Yet, God sees every injustice, and His justice is not always meted out in this world, but at the time of judgment. Only God can judge rightly, because only He knows the full story—our intentions, our knowledge, and the circumstances of our lives.

We are reminded that our responsibility before God is rooted in stewardship. Everything we have—our gifts, talents, and opportunities—are given by God, and we will be accountable for how we use them. The heart of stewardship is not about controlling outcomes or others, but about faithfully using what God has entrusted to us. Often, our failures in stewardship are rooted in fear. Jesus repeatedly tells us not to be afraid, because fear is the enemy’s tactic to draw us away from trust in God. When fear takes root, it leads us to try to control situations and people, which is the very opposite of the humility and trust God desires.

The original sin of Adam and Eve, and even the fall of Lucifer, was rooted in pride—a desire to be like God, to control, to not trust. Our own sins often follow the same pattern: fear leads to a desire for control, which leads to prideful actions. The antidote to this is humility, which is not self-abasement, but a true reckoning with who we are before God and a willingness to use our gifts for the good of others, not for our own advancement. The litany of humility helps us to name and surrender our fears and desires for approval, esteem, and control. In doing so, we open ourselves to real spiritual growth and deeper communion with God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s justice is perfect because He alone knows every intention, circumstance, and thought behind our actions. Human judgment is limited, but God’s judgment takes into account our knowledge and intentions at every stage of life. This truth calls us to humility and trust, especially when we witness or experience injustice that seems unresolved in this world. [01:59]
• 2. Stewardship is not about controlling outcomes or others, but about faithfully using what God has given us. Our accountability before God is measured by how we respond to His gifts, not by how much we can manipulate or control the world around us. True stewardship is rooted in humility and a desire to serve, not in fear or pride. [03:30]
• 3. Fear is the root of much of our sin and brokenness. When fear takes hold, it tempts us to control situations and people, leading us away from trust in God and into prideful self-reliance. Recognizing and naming our fears is a crucial step in spiritual growth and in breaking the cycle of sin. [04:15]
• 4. The original sin—both of Lucifer and of Adam and Eve—was pride, a refusal to trust God and a desire to be in control. Our own struggles with pride and control are often rooted in the same fear of missing out, of not being enough, or of losing something. The spiritual journey is about surrendering these fears and learning to trust God’s goodness and providence. [06:10]
• 5. Humility is the virtue that opens us to God’s grace and true stewardship. Praying through the litany of humility helps us to let go of our desires for approval, esteem, and control, and to embrace our identity as beloved children of God. In humility, we find the freedom to love others well and to use our gifts for the good of all, not just ourselves. [08:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - The Sabbath and Religious Practice
• [01:10] - Amos and the Injustice of False Devotion
• [01:59] - God’s Justice and Judgment
• [03:00] - The Limits of Human Judgment
• [03:30] - Stewardship and Accountability
• [04:15] - The Power of Fear in Our Lives
• [05:10] - Fear, Control, and Sin
• [06:10] - Pride: The Root of Sin
• [07:00] - The Call to Humility
• [08:00] - The Litany of Humility
• [08:27] - Praying for Freedom from Fear
• [09:00] - Love, Stewardship, and Letting Go
• [09:30] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Amos 8:4-7 (ESV) — > Hear this, you who trample on the needy
> and bring the poor of the land to an end,
> saying, “When will the new moon be over,
> that we may sell grain?
> And the Sabbath,
> that we may offer wheat for sale,
> that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great
> and deal deceitfully with false balances,
> that we may buy the poor for silver
> and the needy for a pair of sandals
> and sell the chaff of the wheat?”
> The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
> “Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.”

Luke 16:10-13 (ESV) — > “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Genesis 3:1-6 (ESV) — > (The temptation and fall of Adam and Eve)

Observation Questions

1. According to Amos 8:4-7, what specific injustices are the people committing, and how are they justifying their actions?
2. In Luke 16:10-13, what does Jesus say about faithfulness and stewardship? What does it mean to serve two masters?
3. The sermon mentions that God alone can judge rightly because He knows our intentions and circumstances. What does this suggest about the limits of human judgment? [01:59]
4. What connection does the sermon make between fear and the misuse of our gifts or stewardship? [04:15]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the people in Amos’ time used religious observance (like the Sabbath) as an excuse for unjust behavior? How might this relate to religious practices today? [01:10]
2. The sermon says that our responsibility before God is measured by how we respond to His gifts, not by how much we can control the world around us. What does this say about the true meaning of stewardship? [03:30]
3. How does fear lead to pride and a desire for control, according to the sermon? Can you see this pattern in the story of Adam and Eve or in your own life? [06:10]
4. The sermon describes humility as “a true reckoning with who we are before God.” How is this different from self-abasement or low self-esteem? [08:27]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to examine how we might use religious practices to justify actions that are not just or loving. Are there ways you have seen (in yourself or others) religious devotion become a cover for unkindness or injustice? How can you guard against this? [01:10]
2. When you think about the gifts, talents, and opportunities God has given you, do you tend to use them to serve others, or do you sometimes try to control outcomes or people? What is one area where you could practice more faithful stewardship this week? [03:30]
3. The sermon says that fear is often at the root of our desire to control situations and people. What is one fear that tends to drive your actions? How might you bring this fear to God in prayer? [04:15]
4. The “litany of humility” names desires for approval, esteem, and control. Which of these desires do you struggle with most? How could you practice letting go of it this week? [08:27]
5. The sermon points out that only God can judge rightly because He knows our intentions and circumstances. How can this truth help you to be less judgmental toward others, especially when you see things that seem unjust or wrong? [01:59]
6. Think of a recent situation where you felt the urge to control an outcome or another person. What would it look like to respond with humility and trust in God instead?
7. The sermon encourages us to identify and name our fears as a step toward spiritual growth. What is one practical way you can do this in your daily life—perhaps through journaling, prayer, or talking with a trusted friend? [08:27]