Embracing Stewardship: Living as God's Faithful Stewards

 

Summary

In our journey as disciples of Christ, we are called to a life of stewardship, recognizing that everything we have is not our own but belongs to God. We are merely stewards of His manifold grace, entrusted with time, treasures, and talents to be used for His glory and the benefit of His kingdom. As we navigate through the complexities of life, we must constantly remind ourselves that we are God's possession, a holy nation set apart for His purposes. This truth is not meant to be a burden but a liberating realization that frees us from the illusion of ownership and invites us into a partnership with God in His redemptive work in the world.

Stewardship is not a solitary endeavor but a collective responsibility of the church. Together, we are called to uphold the message of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and to fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment—loving God and loving others. This involves using our gifts to build up one another and extend God's love to those who have yet to encounter Him. As we steward our resources, we must do so with a sense of accountability to one another and to God, who is the ultimate owner of all that we have.

In the parable of the vineyard owner, Jesus teaches us about God's ownership, the presentation of His authority, and the expectation of stewardship. The religious leaders of Jesus' time failed to recognize their role as stewards and instead acted as though they owned the vineyard. This parable serves as a stark reminder that what God owns, He demands responsible stewardship of. We are to be wise and trustworthy stewards, for the consequences of failing to do so are disastrous.

As we consider our own lives, we must examine whether we are living with an owner's mindset or a stewardship mindset. Are we using our time, treasures, and talents for our own purposes, or are we aligning them with God's purposes? The challenge before us is to grow in our understanding of stewardship and to live out this calling with intentionality and faithfulness.

Let us be encouraged to step out in faith, using our gifts and talents in service to others, knowing that in doing so, we allow God to work in us, transforming us more into the likeness of Christ. As we serve, we confront the pride and self-centeredness within us, bringing it into the redemptive light of Christ. In this way, our acts of stewardship become a means of sanctification, shaping us into the disciples God has called us to be.

Key Takeaways:

- Stewardship is a collective calling within the body of Christ, where we support and hold each other accountable in managing God's resources. This shared responsibility strengthens our faith community and magnifies our impact in the world. [01:06:00]

- Recognizing that we are not owners but stewards of God's possessions leads to a transformative shift in perspective. It challenges us to live with open hands, ready to use what we have been given for God's purposes rather than our own. [52:31]

- The parable of the vineyard owner is a powerful illustration of God's patience and the severity of rejecting His ownership. It calls us to reflect on our response to God's authority and to live in a way that honors Him as the rightful owner of our lives. [47:09]

- Our talents and abilities are gifts from God, meant to serve others and build up the church. As we use our gifts, we must be mindful of the temptation to seek self-glory and instead focus on glorifying God and edifying others. [01:00:12]

- Practical stewardship involves identifying and eliminating the activities that waste our time and hinder us from serving God effectively. By doing so, we can better align our daily lives with God's will and make the most of every opportunity He gives us. [58:03]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:1-12 - The Parable of the Vineyard Owner
2. 1 Peter 4:10 - "Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others as good managers of the varied grace of God."
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the vineyard owner, what actions did the tenant farmers take against the servants and the son? ([43:17])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus using Psalm 118 in His teaching? ([48:52])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between an owner's mindset and a stewardship mindset? ([52:31])
4. What are the three main areas of stewardship mentioned in the sermon? ([52:49])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use a parable to convey the message of stewardship and ownership? How does this method impact the listener's understanding? ([39:00])
2. How does recognizing that we are stewards rather than owners of our time, treasures, and talents change our approach to daily life? ([52:31])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the consequences of failing to be responsible stewards of what God has entrusted to us? ([50:53])
4. How can the concept of stewardship as a collective responsibility within the church community strengthen our faith and impact the world? ([01:06:00])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current use of time. Are there specific activities that you recognize as time-wasters? How can you eliminate or reduce these to better align your time with God's purposes? ([58:03])
2. Consider your talents and abilities. How are you currently using them to serve others and build up the church? What steps can you take to ensure you are using them for God's glory rather than self-glory? ([01:00:12])
3. Think about your financial resources. Are you managing them with a stewardship mindset? What changes can you make to ensure your spending and giving reflect God's ownership? ([52:49])
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of accountability within the church community. How can you actively seek or provide accountability in your small group or church to ensure responsible stewardship? ([01:06:00])
5. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with the illusion of ownership. How can you shift your perspective to see yourself as a steward in that area? ([52:31])
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of using our gifts to serve others. What is one specific way you can use your gifts this week to bless someone in your church or community? ([01:00:12])
7. Reflect on the parable of the vineyard owner. How does this story challenge you to examine your response to God's authority and ownership in your life? ([47:09])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Collective Stewardship
As members of the body of Christ, we are called to a collective stewardship, a shared journey where each of us plays a vital role in managing the resources God has entrusted to us. This calling is not just about individual responsibility but about coming together as a faith community to support and hold each other accountable. It is in this unity that our individual contributions are magnified, and our impact in the world is strengthened. We are reminded that our time, talents, and treasures are not for our own benefit but for the service of God's kingdom. As we engage in this collective endeavor, we find that our faith is deepened, and our bonds with fellow believers are fortified.

In this shared stewardship, we are to encourage one another, bear each other's burdens, and seek to reflect the love of Christ in all our interactions. It is through this collaborative effort that the church can truly embody the message of the gospel, reaching out to those in need and spreading the hope of salvation. Let us then approach our roles as stewards with humility and a willingness to work together for the greater good of God's kingdom. [01:06:00]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the collective stewardship of your church community, and what specific step can you take this week to support a fellow believer in their stewardship journey?

Day 2: The Transformative Shift of Stewardship
Recognizing that we are stewards rather than owners of what we possess leads to a profound change in how we view and use our resources. This transformative shift in perspective requires us to hold everything with open hands, ready to be used according to God's purposes. It challenges us to let go of our grip on material possessions, time, and even our abilities, and instead, to trust in God's provision and guidance. As stewards, we are invited to participate in God's redemptive work, using what we have been given to further His kingdom and to serve others in love.

This mindset liberates us from the burden of ownership and the fear of loss, allowing us to live generously and with a sense of purpose. It is a call to align our priorities with God's and to invest in what is eternal. As we embrace this stewardship perspective, we find that our lives become less cluttered with the temporary and more focused on the lasting joy of serving God and others. [52:31]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been acting as an owner rather than a steward, and how can you begin to shift towards a stewardship mindset in that area today?

Day 3: Honoring God's Ownership
The parable of the vineyard owner is a poignant reminder of God's ultimate ownership and our role as stewards. It illustrates the patience of God with His people and the grave consequences of disregarding His authority. As stewards, we are called to honor God's ownership by being responsible and faithful in managing what He has entrusted to us. This means recognizing that our time, talents, and treasures are not ours to claim but are given to us by God for the purpose of stewarding them wisely.

The parable warns us against the dangers of entitlement and self-centeredness, urging us to live in a way that acknowledges God as the rightful owner of everything we have. By doing so, we not only avoid the pitfalls of pride but also open ourselves up to the blessings that come from obedient stewardship. [47:09]

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." - 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you have been managing the resources God has given you. Are there changes you need to make to honor God's ownership more fully in your life?

Day 4: Serving with Our Gifts
Our talents and abilities are gifts from God, intended not for our own glory but for serving others and building up the church. As we use our gifts, we must remain vigilant against the temptation to seek recognition or personal gain. Instead, our focus should be on glorifying God and edifying those around us. This service is not just an act of obedience but also a means of worship, expressing our gratitude for the grace we have received.

By serving with our gifts, we become instruments in God's hands, allowing Him to work through us to touch the lives of others. It is in this selfless service that we truly reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. [01:00:12]

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." - Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have been hesitant to use for God's purposes, and how can you begin to use it to serve others within your church or community this week?

Day 5: Aligning Our Lives with God's Will
Practical stewardship involves a conscious effort to identify and eliminate the activities that waste our time and prevent us from serving God effectively. It is about making the most of every opportunity, aligning our daily lives with God's will, and being intentional in how we use the resources He has given us. This may require us to say no to certain pursuits or distractions in order to say yes to what God is calling us to do.

As we prioritize our time and resources, we become more available for the work God has prepared for us. This alignment with God's will is not about legalism or earning favor but about living a life that is fully surrendered to God's purposes and open to His leading. [58:03]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one activity or commitment that is hindering your ability to serve God effectively, and what steps can you take to realign that area of your life with God's will?

Quotes

- "God not only demands responsible stewardship from you as a disciple, but remember, corporately as the family of faith, we are God's possession." [01:03:57](Download | )

- "We must nurture that gift that's been given, right? We must nurture it and develop. So if you like teaching, go teach the kids on Sunday." [01:00:12](Download | )

- "Remember, church, when we steward what God has given us, we are actually giving God permission to let His transformative work happen in our lives." [01:01:22](Download | Download cropped video)

- "The title deed of your life, it is in God's name. And he has all the rights of ownership to that. And your daily journey of discipleship is a daily test of stewardship." [55:56](Download | Download cropped video)

- "As we learn to steward the small moments of time before God, that is what creates a lifestyle of wise stewardship before God." [58:03](Download | )

- "According to Peter, that is wise stewardship. Now, maybe someone's wondering, well, how do I figure out, Jason, my gifts or my talents and abilities?" [59:14](Download | )

- "What God owns, he demands responsible stewardship. See, God expects, he anticipates, he awaits wise and trustworthy stewardship." [53:32](Download | )

- "The steward is not the same as the owner. Dear Christian, the title deed of your life, it is in God's name." [56:56](Download | )

- "But remember, God is the owner, and he has given us the talents and the abilities and our giftings, and the purpose, Peter is saying, it is for a relational impact." [59:14](Download | )

- "Jesus' authority is presented, God's ownership is established, and stewardship is expected, which leads us into the application for us today with our discipleship." [31:58](Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?