Embracing Stewardship: Trusting God's Ownership in Our Lives

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound concept of stewardship and its implications for our lives. We began by acknowledging that everything we possess belongs to God. This foundational truth, as declared by King David in Psalms 24, sets the stage for understanding our role as stewards rather than owners. The story of the woman who mistakenly thought a car was hers served as a humorous yet poignant reminder that God owns everything, and we are merely managers of His resources.

We delved into the conflict that arises when we mistakenly believe we own what is actually God's. This conflict can manifest in various areas of our lives, leading to stress and confusion. However, God invites us to surrender our perceived ownership and trust Him fully. This surrender is not just about material possessions but also about our time, talents, and treasures.

Stewardship, in its simplest form, is a gift of self. It involves using our God-given gifts to further His kingdom. We discussed three key aspects of stewardship: time, talents, and treasures. Time is a precious commodity that we must manage wisely, dedicating it to prayer, study, and service. Talents are the unique abilities God has given us, which we should use to serve others and glorify Him. Treasures, or material resources, should be managed with an eternal perspective, recognizing that they ultimately belong to God.

We also touched on the importance of not letting past hurts or failures hinder our stewardship. God calls us to rise above our past and trust Him with our future. The rich young man in Mark 10 serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when we cling too tightly to our possessions. Jesus' invitation to him—and to us—is to let go of our earthly attachments and follow Him wholeheartedly.

In conclusion, stewardship is about recognizing God's ownership of everything and managing His resources faithfully. It requires a heart of gratitude, a commitment to using our gifts for His glory, and a willingness to trust Him with our lives.

### Key Takeaways

1. God Owns Everything: Recognizing that God owns everything we have is the foundation of true stewardship. This understanding shifts our perspective from ownership to management, reducing conflict and stress in our lives. When we acknowledge His ownership, we can trust Him more fully with our resources and decisions. [04:00]

2. Surrendering Ownership: The conflict we experience often stems from our reluctance to surrender ownership to God. By releasing our grip on what we think is ours, we allow God to work in our lives more freely. This surrender is not just about material possessions but also about our time and talents. [05:43]

3. Stewardship as a Lifestyle: Stewardship is a lifestyle based on gratitude and generosity. It involves using our time, talents, and treasures to further God's kingdom. This lifestyle requires intentionality and a commitment to align our actions with God's will. [09:41]

4. Overcoming Past Hurts: Past hurts and failures can hinder our ability to be good stewards. God calls us to rise above these challenges and trust Him with our future. By letting go of past grievances, we can fully embrace the role of a steward and experience God's blessings. [28:49]

5. Eternal Perspective on Treasures: Managing our material resources with an eternal perspective is crucial. The story of the rich young man in Mark 10 reminds us that earthly possessions can become a barrier to following Jesus. True stewardship involves prioritizing eternal treasures over temporary gains. [33:14]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[04:00] - God Owns Everything
[05:43] - Surrendering Ownership
[07:02] - Conflict and Trust
[09:41] - Stewardship as a Lifestyle
[10:55] - The Gift of Time
[11:49] - Talents and Treasures
[13:23] - Managing Our Time
[14:14] - The Power of Prayer
[15:57] - Multitasking Grace
[17:51] - Commitment and Consistency
[19:47] - Eternal Perspective
[21:25] - Life is a Vapor
[23:00] - Discovering Talents
[25:15] - Jesus and Time Management
[28:02] - Talent Management
[30:31] - The Importance of Treasure
[33:14] - The Rich Young Man
[37:56] - Genuine Love and Sacrifice
[40:12] - Personal Testimony
[42:54] - Trusting God with Everything
[45:44] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Psalms 24:1-2: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters."
2. Mark 10:17-21: "As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus asked. 'Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.' 'Teacher,' the man replied, 'I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young.' Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. 'There is still one thing you haven't done,' he told him. 'Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"

### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalms 24:1-2, what does King David declare about the ownership of the earth and everything in it?
2. In Mark 10:17-21, what commandments does Jesus remind the rich young man of, and what additional instruction does He give him?
3. What humorous story did the pastor share to illustrate the concept of mistaken ownership? [04:00]
4. What are the three key aspects of stewardship discussed in the sermon? [09:41]

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing that "God owns everything" change our perspective on material possessions and responsibilities? [04:00]
2. What does the rich young man's interaction with Jesus in Mark 10:17-21 teach us about the challenges of surrendering our earthly attachments?
3. How can past hurts and failures impact our ability to be good stewards, and what steps can we take to overcome these obstacles? [28:49]
4. What does it mean to manage our material resources with an eternal perspective, and how can this influence our daily decisions? [33:14]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any areas where you are holding onto ownership instead of surrendering to God's management? How can you begin to release control? [05:43]
2. How can you better manage your time to include more prayer, study, and service? Identify one specific change you can make this week. [13:23]
3. What unique talents has God given you, and how can you use them to serve others and glorify Him? Share one talent and a practical way to use it in the coming month. [23:00]
4. Think about your material resources. How can you start managing them with an eternal perspective? What is one step you can take to prioritize eternal treasures over temporary gains? [33:14]
5. Have past hurts or failures hindered your stewardship? What steps can you take to rise above these challenges and trust God with your future? [28:49]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of gratitude and generosity in stewardship. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life? Share one practice you can start this week. [09:41]
7. Reflect on the story of the rich young man. Are there any "possessions" or attachments in your life that might be hindering your wholehearted following of Jesus? What can you do to address this? [33:14]

Devotional

### Day 1: Recognizing God's Ownership

Description:
Understanding that God owns everything we have is the cornerstone of true stewardship. This realization shifts our perspective from being owners to being managers of His resources. When we acknowledge that everything belongs to God, it reduces the conflict and stress that often arise from our attempts to control our possessions. This foundational truth invites us to trust God more fully with our resources and decisions, knowing that He is the ultimate provider and owner of all things. [04:00]

Bible Passage:
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a possession or resource you have been holding onto tightly. How can you begin to see it as God's property and manage it according to His will?

### Day 2: Surrendering Ownership

Description:
The conflict we experience often stems from our reluctance to surrender ownership to God. By releasing our grip on what we think is ours, we allow God to work more freely in our lives. This surrender is not limited to material possessions but extends to our time and talents as well. When we let go of our perceived ownership, we open ourselves to God's guidance and provision, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This act of surrender is a profound step of faith that brings peace and alignment with God's purposes. [05:43]

Bible Passage:
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." (Psalm 37:5-6, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify an area of your life where you struggle to surrender control. What steps can you take today to release it to God and trust Him fully?

### Day 3: Stewardship as a Lifestyle

Description:
Stewardship is not just an occasional act but a lifestyle rooted in gratitude and generosity. It involves intentionally using our time, talents, and treasures to further God's kingdom. This lifestyle requires a commitment to align our actions with God's will, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him. By living as faithful stewards, we demonstrate our love for God and our desire to serve Him with all that we are and all that we have. This approach to life brings fulfillment and purpose as we contribute to God's work in the world. [09:41]

Bible Passage:
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on how you currently use your time, talents, and treasures. What changes can you make to ensure you are living a lifestyle of stewardship that honors God?

### Day 4: Overcoming Past Hurts

Description:
Past hurts and failures can significantly hinder our ability to be good stewards. God calls us to rise above these challenges and trust Him with our future. By letting go of past grievances and disappointments, we can fully embrace the role of a steward and experience God's blessings. The story of the rich young man in Mark 10 serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when we cling too tightly to our possessions and past. Jesus invites us to let go of our earthly attachments and follow Him wholeheartedly, trusting that He will provide for our needs. [28:49]

Bible Passage:
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, ESV)

Reflection:
Consider a past hurt or failure that is holding you back. How can you begin to release it to God and move forward in faith and stewardship?

### Day 5: Eternal Perspective on Treasures

Description:
Managing our material resources with an eternal perspective is crucial for true stewardship. The story of the rich young man in Mark 10 reminds us that earthly possessions can become a barrier to following Jesus. True stewardship involves prioritizing eternal treasures over temporary gains, recognizing that our ultimate reward is in heaven. By focusing on what is eternal, we can make decisions that reflect our commitment to God's kingdom and our trust in His provision. This perspective helps us to use our resources wisely and generously, knowing that they ultimately belong to God. [33:14]

Bible Passage:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)

Reflection:
Evaluate your current financial priorities. How can you shift your focus from accumulating earthly possessions to investing in eternal treasures? What practical steps can you take today to align your finances with God's eternal perspective?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Today for you and I, everything changes. Do you believe that? There's nothing too big. Nothing. The truth is God owns everything. He owns that lady's car and the one she mistakenly got into. And he owns everything that Eric calls his, everything that we call ours, mine, with a death grip. That's mine. He owns it all." [04:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Stewardship and the easiest definition is gift of self of you and I it's giving back to God what he gave us, which is everything. It's a lifestyle based on gratitude for all that God has given us and and and then generously sharing those gifts with the understanding that we are only stewards. Of these. So in other words, stewardship is how we use our God. Given gifts." [09:41] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "He doesn't ask you for things you don't have. He asks you for the things that are his. The thing that sometimes that he asks is we believe that we own it. So we don't know how to partition that. So what Eric does is become the steward and I get lost and befuddled in the middle. Of that so conflict comes up in my life and it's really not about the home. It's really not about work and my boss and we'll talk about that in the point number two." [07:02] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "He doesn't need your money. He doesn't need your time. He doesn't need your talents. He just wants you. He wanted me. He's such a good God. And I worship him today. he didn't ask for it at all. He just said trust me in that." [42:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Do you ever feel hungry that you're missing something? Do you ever feel like you're missing out on the presence of God? Because I felt it when I watched it online, rebooting 33 servers and doing upgrades and trying to get around the Christ, the crowd strike issue that happened in cyber security. And by the way, that wasn't a cyber security attack. That was an upgrade that went bad." [18:43] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "If I believe that I am the owner, then I am constantly. Going to be in conflict with God over what I do with the things that Eric has. Have you ever experienced conflict in your life? It's the point in the middle of two composing issues, two contradicting circumstances. And it brings conflict that is measured in an innumerable sense. It's way beyond our fathom. I mean, because we really can't understand it." [05:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Stewardship is how we use our God giving gifts. It's how we use our time, our talents and our treasure to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in this dead, broken and dying world. Here is a way to look at these aspects of stewardship. You're ready. Are you ready? Number one. Here we go. The gift of time. None of us has enough of it. All of us want more." [10:55] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus did not die to make you and I safe. He died to make us dangerous. And when we begin to understand that you and I are not on defense and we are on offense, our time begins to change. Can I get an amen? We begin to hear the ticking of the seconds in the moment of time begin to go between time and space continuum. And we begin to see a dawn of a day. That's coming ever closer." [20:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "He knows you by heart. He knows you by name. And he wants to escalate the things that you may be looking at as a disadvantage. Paul told Timothy to fan in the flames those giftings. Don't let them despise you because you're youthfulness. Don't let them despise you youth because you're young. Timothy was leading the church at Ephesus. And Paul was longing to get back there. And Timothy was bossing up." [26:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We see here in James that Jesus's half brother had it right. And yes, by the way, this was Jesus's half brother, and maybe he knew that Jesus had more he did in his life than just three to three and a half years. And I know scripture doesn't unfold that. But there were people who had and saw the inner workings of baby Jesus. That was not listening and being about his father. Business getting lost at the temple and wanted to be at service every day." [19:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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