Faithful Stewardship: Aligning Finances with God's Kingdom
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound connection between our faith and our finances, emphasizing the importance of understanding ownership and stewardship from a biblical perspective. We began by acknowledging the divisions in our world and the unifying power of Jesus, who brings us together as a community. As we approach our church's 100th anniversary, we are committed to focusing on Jesus throughout 2025, delving into His life, death, and resurrection through a year-long study using the Quest 52 book. This initiative aims to deepen our relationship with Christ and strengthen our unity as a church.
Turning to finances, we discussed the significance of Financial Peace University and Kingdom Stewardship classes, which are designed to help us align our financial practices with God's kingdom. These programs are not just about managing money but about understanding that everything we have is God's and learning to be faithful stewards of His resources. We reflected on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, which teaches us about ownership and stewardship. The story illustrates that God entrusts us with resources, expecting us to invest and multiply them for His kingdom.
We also examined the biblical perspective on wealth, noting that Jesus spoke more about money than many other topics, highlighting its potential to capture our hearts. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil. Therefore, we are called to be generous, humble, and wise stewards, investing in God's kingdom rather than hoarding wealth for ourselves. True life, as described in 1 Timothy 6, is found in generosity and good deeds, not in material accumulation.
As we move forward, we are encouraged to make a personal commitment to trust God's provision and to give generously. Whether it's starting to tithe, increasing our generosity, or taking a class to better understand stewardship, the goal is to align our financial practices with God's will. This commitment is not about the church's need for money but about our spiritual growth and the impact we can have on the world through our generosity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity in Christ: In a world filled with division, focusing on Jesus brings us together. As we prepare for our church's centennial, dedicating a year to studying Jesus' life will deepen our unity and transform our lives. [36:40]
2. Understanding Ownership: Everything we have belongs to God. Recognizing His ownership is the first step toward becoming generous stewards. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centeredness to serving God's kingdom. [49:55]
3. Stewardship and Investment: God expects us to invest and multiply the resources He entrusts to us. Like the faithful servants in the parable of the talents, we are called to use our gifts and resources for His glory. [53:32]
4. True Wealth and Generosity: True life is found in generosity and good deeds, not in material wealth. By being humble and generous, we align ourselves with God's values and experience the fullness of life He offers. [59:30]
5. Commitment to Generosity: Making a personal commitment to trust God's provision and give generously is a step toward spiritual growth. Whether through tithing, increasing generosity, or learning more about stewardship, our actions reflect our faith. [01:16:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Unity in Christ
- [05:00] - Church's 100th Anniversary and Focus on Jesus
- [10:00] - Financial Peace University and Kingdom Stewardship
- [15:00] - The Parable of the Talents
- [20:00] - Understanding Ownership
- [25:00] - Stewardship and Investment
- [30:00] - True Wealth and Generosity
- [35:00] - Commitment to Generosity
- [40:00] - Practical Steps for Financial Stewardship
- [45:00] - The Joy of Giving
- [50:00] - Invitation to Make a Commitment
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 25:14-30
2. 1 Timothy 6:6-10
3. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), what actions did the servants take with the resources entrusted to them, and what were the outcomes of their actions? [53:32]
2. According to 1 Timothy 6:6-10, what does Paul identify as the root of all kinds of evil, and how does he suggest believers should view wealth?
3. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, what does Paul say about the relationship between sowing and reaping, and how does this relate to generosity?
4. How did the sermon describe the concept of ownership and stewardship in relation to God's resources? [49:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the talents illustrate the concept of stewardship, and what might this imply about how believers should use their resources? [53:32]
2. In what ways does the love of money, as described in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, potentially lead believers away from their faith, and how can they guard against this?
3. How does the principle of sowing and reaping in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 encourage believers to be generous, and what might be the spiritual benefits of such generosity?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding that everything we have belongs to God. How might this perspective change the way believers approach their finances and generosity? [49:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current financial practices. How can you begin to align them more closely with the biblical principles of stewardship and generosity discussed in the sermon? [49:55]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of making a personal commitment to trust God's provision. What steps can you take this week to demonstrate trust in God's provision, perhaps by starting to tithe or increasing your generosity? [01:16:44]
3. Consider the parable of the talents. What specific talents or resources has God entrusted to you, and how can you invest them for His kingdom in the coming month? [53:32]
4. The sermon highlighted the potential dangers of the love of money. Are there areas in your life where money has become too important? How can you shift your focus to prioritize generosity and good deeds? [57:15]
5. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment, as described in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to focus on what you have rather than what you lack?
6. The sermon encouraged believers to be cheerful givers. What is one way you can practice cheerful giving this week, and how might this impact your relationship with God and others? [01:14:06]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a good and faithful servant. What is one area of your life where you feel called to be more faithful with what God has given you, and what action can you take to improve in that area? [53:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Christ Transcends Division
In a world marked by division, the unifying power of Jesus stands as a beacon of hope. As believers, we are called to focus on Christ, who brings us together as a community. This unity is not just a superficial agreement but a deep, spiritual connection that transforms our lives. As the church approaches its 100th anniversary, dedicating a year to studying Jesus' life, death, and resurrection through the Quest 52 book will deepen our unity and strengthen our relationship with Him. This commitment to unity in Christ is a powerful testimony to the world of the love and peace that only He can provide. [36:40]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively promote unity within your church community this week, reflecting the love and peace of Christ?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Ownership
Understanding that everything we have belongs to God is the first step toward becoming generous stewards. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centeredness to serving God's kingdom. By acknowledging God's ownership, we are reminded that our resources, talents, and time are entrusted to us by Him. This realization calls us to use what we have for His glory and the benefit of others. It challenges us to let go of the desire to control and hoard, instead embracing a life of generosity and service. [49:55]
Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to acknowledge God's ownership? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 3: Investing in God's Kingdom
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 illustrates the importance of stewardship and investment. God entrusts us with resources, expecting us to invest and multiply them for His kingdom. Like the faithful servants in the parable, we are called to use our gifts and resources for His glory. This means being proactive in seeking opportunities to serve, give, and make a difference in the world. It is not about the amount we have but about our willingness to use what we have for God's purposes. [53:32]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Identify one gift or resource you have been entrusted with. How can you use it this week to serve others and invest in God's kingdom?
Day 4: True Wealth in Generosity
True life is found in generosity and good deeds, not in material wealth. Jesus spoke more about money than many other topics, highlighting its potential to capture our hearts. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil. By being humble and generous, we align ourselves with God's values and experience the fullness of life He offers. This perspective encourages us to live with open hands, ready to give and bless others, reflecting the heart of God. [59:30]
Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV): "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Consider your current financial habits. How can you practice generosity in a way that reflects God's heart and brings true wealth into your life?
Day 5: Commitment to Generosity
Making a personal commitment to trust God's provision and give generously is a step toward spiritual growth. This commitment is not about the church's need for money but about our spiritual growth and the impact we can have on the world through our generosity. Whether it's starting to tithe, increasing our generosity, or taking a class to better understand stewardship, our actions reflect our faith. By trusting in God's provision, we open ourselves to His blessings and become conduits of His love and grace to others. [01:16:44]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: What specific step can you take this week to increase your generosity and trust in God's provision? How will this step help you grow spiritually?
Quotes
"So giving starts with understanding ownership, that it all belongs to God. So we ought to ask and we ought to consider as we kind of dig deeper. We're kind of laser focused as we kind of move through the message today. Our first question needs to be this. What does God want us to do with his stuff? Not what I want, but what I want. But what does he want? What does he expect?" [00:51:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Use it how God wants you. Can you imagine that if we said over the next five years here at Compass Christian Church, we want to be like the good faithful servant. We want to double what God has given us. Friends, we would be a church of 5,500 to 6,000. If we just double, what God has given us over the next five years. It's pretty amazing." [00:55:05] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"True, meaningful life comes from being generous and good with your wealth. So I guess if that's what the passage says and tells the young preacher to command those who are rich, I mean, I guess we have to figure out the next passage. The next thing is, who is rich? I mean, it says, command those who are rich. I mean, this is what rich people are supposed to do with the life they live, right?" [00:59:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Friends, let me tell you some truth here. You're driving your dad's car. That house that you live in, that's your dad's house. Those clothes that you wear, that food you eat, everything that you have is a gift from your father. Don't forget who owns it. And don't forget that he loves you so much he gave that to you partially. For your own enjoyment." [01:05:07] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"So maybe today the easiest thing for you to do is just ask him. Ask your father. How do you want me to steward or use what you've given me, dad? Whose kingdom? His kingdom. Say yes to help others instead of being self-centered. And in this, the Bible says, you will find freedom. You will find hope. You will find the life that is truly life." [01:06:15] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God is already changing lives and maybe for you, today is the day. So I'm gonna pray. We're gonna invite our prayer partners up here and we're gonna sing this song and if you're ready to make a decision, meet us right here. We'll help you every step of the way. Father, thank you. Thank you that you love us so much that you are the greatest giver, that you gave your one and only son, that whoever believes in him won't perish but have everlasting life." [01:23:09] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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