Embracing Stewardship: Managing God's Gifts with Purpose
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound spiritual discipline of stewardship, a practice that transcends mere financial management and permeates every facet of our lives. Stewardship is not about ownership; it is about management. We began by acknowledging that everything—the earth and all its fullness—belongs to the Lord. This foundational truth sets the stage for understanding that we are caretakers of God's creation, entrusted with time, talents, bodies, relationships, possessions, and the Gospel itself.
We explored the stewardship of time, recognizing the urgency to use our days wisely, as instructed in Ephesians 5:15-16. Our talents, as diverse and unique as they are, have been given to us by God to serve one another and bring glory to Him, as 1 Peter 4:10-11 reminds us. Our bodies, being temples of the Holy Spirit, must be cared for and used in ways that honor God, as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Our relationships, too, are a stewardship responsibility. We are born into families and communities, and how we nurture these connections reflects our discipleship. Jesus commands us to love one another, and by this love, the world will recognize us as His followers (John 13:34-35).
Possessions and finances are also under our stewardship. We are called to live generously, reflecting the abundant nature of our God. This generosity is not just about giving but about a transformation of the heart that combats greed and cultivates joy and trust in God's provision.
Finally, we are stewards of the Gospel. As ambassadors for Christ, we are entrusted with the message of reconciliation and are called to share it with the world (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). Our stewardship of all things is ultimately for this purpose—to equip and empower us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
In summary, stewardship is a holistic approach to life that acknowledges God's ownership over all and our role as caretakers. It is a call to live with open hands, generously sharing what we have been given, and faithfully managing God's gifts for His glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Stewardship begins with the recognition that everything belongs to God, including our very lives. This acknowledgment frees us from the illusion of control and invites us into a life of faithful service and management of God's creation. As we embrace this truth, our perspective shifts from one of entitlement to one of humble gratitude and responsibility. [31:11
2. Time is a precious and limited resource that God has entrusted to us. We must discern between the urgent and the important, prioritizing our days to reflect God's will and purposes. Each moment we are given is an opportunity to serve God and others, making an eternal impact through our choices and actions. [40:16
3. Our talents and gifts are varied expressions of God's grace in our lives. We are called to use them not for our own glory but to serve one another and glorify God. This stewardship of talents is a powerful way to contribute to the body of Christ, ensuring that the church functions effectively and reflects the diversity of God's creativity. [41:31
4. Generosity is a divine attribute that God invites us to share in. Living generously is not only about financial giving but also about a lifestyle that combats greed and cultivates joy, gratitude, and trust in God's provision. This approach to possessions and finances can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. [49:58
5. The Gospel is the greatest treasure we have been entrusted with, and our stewardship of all things should ultimately lead to its proclamation. As stewards of the Gospel, we are ambassadors for Christ, called to share the message of hope, peace, joy, forgiveness, and salvation with a world in desperate need of Jesus. [56:19
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Stewardship
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 24:1 - "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."
2. Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
3. 1 Peter 4:10-11 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 24:1, who does everything in the world belong to?
2. What does Ephesians 5:15-16 instruct us to do with our time?
3. How does 1 Peter 4:10-11 describe the use of our talents and gifts?
4. In the sermon, what image does the pastor use to describe the concept of stewardship? ([28:55])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing that "the earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24:1) change our perspective on ownership and stewardship?
2. What does it mean to "make the most of every opportunity" in the context of Ephesians 5:15-16? How can this be applied to our daily lives?
3. How can we identify and use our unique gifts to serve others as described in 1 Peter 4:10-11? What might this look like in a church community?
4. The pastor mentioned that living with an "open hand" symbolizes trust in God's provision. How does this concept challenge our natural inclinations towards control and ownership? ([29:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily schedule. Are there areas where you can better prioritize your time to align with God's will and purposes? How can you make these changes this week? ([36:56])
2. Identify one talent or gift you have. How can you use this gift to serve others in your church or community this month? ([41:31])
3. Consider your physical health. What is one specific change you can make to better steward your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? ([43:51])
4. Think about your relationships. Is there a relationship in your life that needs nurturing or reconciliation? What steps can you take to improve or heal this relationship? ([46:17])
5. Evaluate your financial habits. Are you living generously? What is one practical way you can practice generosity this week, whether through giving, sharing, or helping someone in need? ([49:19])
6. The Gospel is the greatest treasure we have been entrusted with. Who is one person you can share the message of Jesus with this week? How will you approach this conversation? ([55:46])
7. Reflect on the concept of living with an "open hand." What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God’s provision? How can you practice opening your hand in this area? ([29:29])
This guide aims to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon on stewardship, encouraging practical and meaningful discussions that lead to tangible actions in their daily lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Ownership
Everything we have is a gift from God, and recognizing His ownership invites us into a life of gratitude and faithful service. This understanding liberates us from the illusion of control and allows us to serve as humble stewards of His creation. As we acknowledge that our very lives are not our own, we begin to see the world differently. Our possessions, time, and relationships are not merely for our benefit but are opportunities to glorify God and serve others. This perspective shift is not about relinquishing joy but about finding it in the right places—through service, love, and stewardship.
"Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it." - Deuteronomy 10:14
Reflection: How does acknowledging God's ownership over everything you have change the way you approach your daily responsibilities and resources? [31:11]
Day 2: Investing Time Wisely
Time is a non-renewable resource, and how we choose to spend it reflects our priorities and values. God has entrusted us with each day, and we are called to use our time in ways that align with His will and purposes. This means discerning between the urgent and the important, and investing in activities that have eternal significance. By prioritizing our relationship with God, serving others, and nurturing our spiritual growth, we ensure that our time is not wasted but is an investment in God's kingdom.
"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
Reflection: What is one activity you can reduce or eliminate from your schedule to make more room for God and His purposes? [40:16]
Day 3: Utilizing God-Given Talents
Our talents are diverse expressions of God's creativity and grace. Each of us has been endowed with unique abilities and gifts, not for our own glory, but to serve others and bring glory to God. By using our talents in service to the body of Christ, we help the church function effectively and showcase the diversity of God's creativity. It is through this stewardship of talents that we fulfill our purpose and contribute to the common good.
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10
Reflection: What is one talent or gift you have that you can use this week to serve someone in your community or church? [41:31]
Day 4: Cultivating Generous Living
Generosity is a hallmark of God's character, and He calls us to reflect this attribute in our own lives. Living generously extends beyond financial giving; it encompasses a lifestyle that resists greed and fosters joy, gratitude, and trust in God's provision. When we view our possessions and finances through the lens of stewardship, we are compelled to share with others, not out of obligation, but out of a transformed heart that delights in mirroring God's generosity.
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6
Reflection: Identify one resource you can share this week, whether it's time, money, or a possession, to demonstrate God's generosity through you. [49:58]
Day 5: Proclaiming the Gospel Faithfully
As stewards of the Gospel, we are entrusted with the most precious message of reconciliation and hope. Our stewardship in all areas of life—time, talents, relationships, and resources—is ultimately for the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. We are ambassadors for Christ, called to spread the message of salvation to a world in need. By living out the Gospel in our daily lives, we bear witness to the transformative power of God's love.
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20
Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to hear the Gospel, and how can you begin to share it with them this week? [56:19]
Quotes
1) "To love is to open your hands; it's to be vulnerable. Love is a dangerous game, amen. You're going to get hurt, I'm just telling you. You will, and we still are called to live like this, to forgive." [47:28
2) "Ultimately it's all from Him. On this side of the grave, we have possessions to care for and to use for God's glory, and it takes finances to live in this world." [48:41
3) "God has given each of you varied gifts, grace from God, gifts to be lived out. We all don't get the same gifts, we get different gifts and different levels and abilities of those gifts, all for one purpose: to glorify the Lord." [41:31
4) "Once we acknowledge these things, that God owns it all, even me, the truth, the power, and the gift of stewardship really comes into focus." [35:05
5) "God isn't stingy, and He invites us to be generous like He is. It's such an awesome thing when we live with our hands open, generous and grateful." [49:58
6) "When we see ourselves as stewards of what God has first given us, not as owners of what we deserve, we can open our hands." [51:15
7) "The world needs Jesus, and everything we have been given has ultimately been given to us not just to live and get by, but in order that we would be equipped to share the good news." [56:57
8) "The Lord God has opened up His hands generously, lovingly pouring Himself out, giving us abundant and eternal life. The Lord has extended His arms on the cross, opened His hand of forgiveness and love and grace." [58:06
9) "God calls us into generosity, and this is always something for me that is such an amazing thing. God gives us so much and then invites us into this great life." [49:19
10) "Living generously is not only about financial giving but also about a lifestyle that combats greed and cultivates joy, gratitude, and trust in God's provision." [49:58
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