Embracing Stewardship: A Call to Faithful Living

Stewardship goes a little bit further than just simple responsibilities in that we see things that are within our realm of impact, and we choose to engage in them because we feel we should. It's our stewardship. It's that which is within the realm of our impact. And a very basic way for us to approach this subject is, if we're going to know what our stewardships are, then I believe we need to take a few steps, not complicated steps, but a very simple step to start with is, if you want to know what your stewardship is, then ask God. [00:36:11] (41 seconds)


And he writes to them this in James chapter 1 and verse 5, if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. We need to ask God. We need to pray first when we're in a time of difficulty or a time of hardship. And God is the one who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. [00:38:12] (22 seconds)


And the truth is, is that God doesn't always take away our hardships, but he always does go through them with us. And no matter what your stewardship is, or if you're not clear of what it is, I think the first thing that you ought to do is to take time and pray. [00:40:07] (18 seconds)


You see, we have a realm where we can make a difference, the people we should pray for, the people we should be helping. And if God lays it on your heart to pray for somebody else, I'm not trying to say that's bad. I'm just saying that we're overstimulated with all the cares and concerns. [00:43:40] (17 seconds)


And the Bible tells us in Exodus chapter 20 that we are to honor our father and mother. So there's a stewardship, right, to honor our parents as best we can. I know some of you are thinking, you don't know my parents, and I don't. And it's not even funny. I'm not sure why I'm laughing, because for some of you, it's actually a very, very difficult topic. [00:44:45] (25 seconds)


Parachurch organizations are okay, but I believe the church is the primary organization for the propagation of the gospel. It is the primary place for the preaching and teaching of God's Word. And though we even as a church support some of those other organizations, I still think the church is the primary organization. Now, I didn't say institution. I think the primary institution is, what do you think? The family. The family. [00:49:33] (32 seconds)


But here's what it says there about those who are trying to mooch off the church. And by the way, we give to people, even people that make poor decisions. All of us could be better with our money than we are. So we help people. We're not sitting around trying to judge. We're not trying to judge. We're not trying to judge. We're not trying to judge everybody. But listen to this. If there's that kind of person that thinks, well, I'll just live off the church, or I'll just go, you know, spend my money this way because I know the church will give me the money. [00:55:01] (26 seconds)


How do you evaluate them? Well, I'm not going to read through Romans 12, but it talks about how that, you know, we should give ourselves as a living sacrifice. And then it goes on to say that every one of us has been given a differing gift according to the grace of God. Let us use that gift in whatever way God has led us to do. If we're a teacher, then focus on teaching. If we're a helper, then focus on helping. If we're good with acts of mercy, we need to focus on acts of mercy. Evaluate your situation and what it is that God has given you. And think of your opportunities that you have to serve the Lord. [00:57:07] (39 seconds)


Time is a valuable measure of our life. So there's a time for everything, Ecclesiastes 3. So there's for everything, there's a season and a time for every matter under heaven. When I was in seminary, I worked all night, got home at 1 or 1 .30 in the morning, went back to school at 6 .30 in the morning, and then went to school all day, worked all night. I don't know what I just said, but I hope you made sense out of that. There was a time for that, but Lisa and I could not have lived that way forever. [01:03:25] (34 seconds)


I think He wants us to rest. Maybe that's hard for us. Mark chapter 6 and verse 31, and He said to them, come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Matthew 11, 28 through 30, come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. [01:06:18] (31 seconds)