Faithful Stewardship: Living as Kingdom Citizens
Summary
Living as kingdom citizens is a profound calling that requires us to recognize our dual citizenship: one on earth and one in heaven. As followers of Christ, we are not merely residents of this world but are also citizens of the heavenly kingdom. This dual citizenship comes with responsibilities and expectations, as outlined in Matthew 25, where Jesus shares the parable of the talents. This parable is not just about monetary investment but extends to how we use our time, talents, and treasures for the kingdom of God.
The parable illustrates that God has entrusted each of us with resources, and He expects us to invest them wisely. The servants who multiplied their talents were commended with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This commendation is not just for those who have much but for those who are faithful with what they have, regardless of the amount. The key is faithfulness and the willingness to use what God has given us to further His kingdom.
The story also serves as a warning against complacency and fear. The servant who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked for his inaction. This highlights a kingdom principle: we lose what we don't use. God desires growth and multiplication, not stagnation. Our earthly comforts may tempt us to maintain the status quo, but in the kingdom of God, there is an expectation of expansion and impact.
Tithing and giving are practical expressions of our commitment to God's kingdom. They are not merely Old Testament practices but are affirmed in the New Testament as well. Tithing is a test of our faith and obedience, a way to honor God with the first fruits of our labor. It is a declaration that God is first in our lives, and it aligns us with His economy, which promises blessings beyond measure.
As we reflect on our role as kingdom citizens, we must ask ourselves, "What are we doing with what we have?" Our time, talents, and treasures are not just for our benefit but are meant to be invested in the kingdom of God. The ultimate goal is to hear those cherished words from our Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Key Takeaways:
- Dual Citizenship: As believers, we hold dual citizenship in both earth and heaven. This duality calls us to live with a heavenly perspective, prioritizing God's kingdom over earthly concerns. Our actions and investments should reflect our heavenly citizenship, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. [01:45]
- Faithfulness Over Quantity: God values faithfulness over the quantity of what we have. Whether we have much or little, the expectation is to use it for His glory. The parable of the talents teaches us that faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities and blessings. [12:24]
- Fear vs. Faith: Fear can paralyze us, preventing us from using our God-given resources effectively. The servant who buried his talent out of fear lost everything. In contrast, faith propels us to take risks for the kingdom, trusting that God will multiply our efforts. [35:08]
- Tithing as a Test: Tithing is a test of our faith and obedience, a practice that transcends both the Old and New Testaments. It is a tangible way to honor God and participate in His economy, which promises abundant blessings for those who trust Him. [28:54]
- Investing in the Kingdom: Our time, talents, and treasures are meant to be invested in God's kingdom. This investment impacts eternity and brings about growth and expansion in ways we cannot imagine. God desires us to be active participants in His work, not passive observers. [22:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:45] - Dual Citizenship in Christ
- [04:37] - The Parable of the Talents
- [06:57] - Faithfulness and Accountability
- [09:06] - Investing in the Kingdom
- [12:24] - Faithfulness Over Quantity
- [14:23] - The Importance of Every Part
- [16:25] - The Process of Growth
- [18:00] - Impact of Present Actions
- [19:26] - The Danger of Complacency
- [22:14] - Expectation of Expansion
- [24:39] - Understanding Tithing
- [26:07] - Tithing as a Test
- [28:54] - God's Unchanging Economy
- [31:28] - The Consequences of Inaction
- [35:08] - Fear vs. Faith
- [36:42] - The Worth of Faithful Giving
- [38:29] - Giving Out of Love, Not Law
- [39:48] - Crossing Over in Faith
- [41:35] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living as Kingdom Citizens
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 25:14-30
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the talents, what were the different actions taken by the servants with the resources they were given? [04:37]
2. How did the master respond to the servants who multiplied their talents compared to the one who did not? [05:42]
3. What does the parable suggest about the relationship between fear and inaction? [06:57]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of dual citizenship for believers? [01:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the parable of the talents teach about the expectations God has for how we use our resources? [09:06]
2. How does the concept of dual citizenship influence a believer's priorities and actions in their daily life? [01:45]
3. In what ways does fear hinder believers from fulfilling their responsibilities as kingdom citizens, according to the sermon? [35:08]
4. How does the practice of tithing serve as a test of faith and obedience in the context of the sermon? [28:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be "burying" your talents out of fear or complacency? How can you begin to invest them for God's kingdom? [06:57]
2. Considering the idea of dual citizenship, how can you shift your focus to prioritize heavenly values over earthly concerns in your daily decisions? [01:45]
3. What practical steps can you take to overcome fear and take risks for the kingdom of God, trusting in His provision and multiplication? [35:08]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of tithing into your financial planning as a way to honor God and align with His economy? [28:54]
5. Identify one talent or resource you have that you can use more effectively for the growth of God's kingdom. What specific action will you take this week to start using it? [09:06]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize and utilize their gifts and resources for the kingdom of God? [22:14]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt the joy of being a "good and faithful servant." How can you seek to experience that joy more consistently in your walk with Christ? [12:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with a Heavenly Perspective
As believers, we are called to live with a dual citizenship, one on earth and one in heaven. This duality requires us to prioritize God's kingdom over earthly concerns, shaping our actions and investments to reflect our heavenly citizenship. In Matthew 25, the parable of the talents illustrates this principle by showing how God entrusts us with resources to be used for His glory. Our earthly life is temporary, but our heavenly citizenship is eternal, urging us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness. This perspective challenges us to evaluate our priorities and align them with God's eternal purposes. [01:45]
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you adjust your daily priorities to better reflect your heavenly citizenship today?
Day 2: Faithfulness in Small Things
God values faithfulness over the quantity of what we have. The parable of the talents teaches us that whether we have much or little, the expectation is to use it for His glory. The servants who were faithful with their talents were commended, not because of the amount they had, but because of their faithfulness. This principle encourages us to be diligent and faithful in the small things, trusting that God will entrust us with greater responsibilities and blessings as we prove faithful. Our faithfulness in the little things is a testament to our trust in God's provision and His plans for our lives. [12:24]
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)
Reflection: What small area of your life can you commit to being more faithful in today, trusting God for greater responsibilities in the future?
Day 3: Overcoming Fear with Faith
Fear can paralyze us, preventing us from using our God-given resources effectively. The servant who buried his talent out of fear lost everything, highlighting the danger of inaction. In contrast, faith propels us to take risks for the kingdom, trusting that God will multiply our efforts. This principle challenges us to confront our fears and step out in faith, believing that God is with us and will guide us. By overcoming fear with faith, we can fully utilize the resources God has entrusted to us, making a lasting impact for His kingdom. [35:08]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: What fear is holding you back from using your talents for God's kingdom, and how can you take a step of faith today to overcome it?
Day 4: Tithing as an Act of Trust
Tithing is a test of our faith and obedience, a practice that transcends both the Old and New Testaments. It is a tangible way to honor God and participate in His economy, which promises abundant blessings for those who trust Him. By giving the first fruits of our labor, we declare that God is first in our lives and align ourselves with His economy. This act of trust challenges us to rely on God's provision and promises, knowing that He will bless us beyond measure as we honor Him with our tithes. [28:54]
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." (Malachi 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your trust in God's provision through your giving today?
Day 5: Investing in Eternal Impact
Our time, talents, and treasures are meant to be invested in God's kingdom, impacting eternity in ways we cannot imagine. God desires us to be active participants in His work, not passive observers. The parable of the talents reminds us that God expects growth and multiplication, not stagnation. By investing in the kingdom, we align ourselves with God's purposes and contribute to the expansion of His work on earth. This principle challenges us to evaluate how we are using our resources and to seek opportunities to make a lasting impact for God's kingdom. [22:14]
"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." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What specific step can you take today to invest your time, talents, or treasures in something that has eternal significance?
Quotes
"Today we're continuing our theme concerning crossing over, and this idea that we want to cross over in these five areas. Mission. I will be like Christ, worship, I will carry Christ, mercy, I will share Christ, service, I will serve Christ, and the word, I will follow Christ. I believe that for every individual, every family, and every church, that these are pillars or foundational characteristics that create church health. They create health, good fruit, remaining fruit, and we're continuing to use this idea of a bridge for crossing over." [00:00:43]
"We are no more foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself, being the chief cornerstone, which means we already have our heavenly Holy Spirit residing on the inside of us, which can I just declare that the devil, when he looks at us, doesn't just see an earthly citizenship, he sees a heavenly citizenship, the kingdom of God that's within us, and he recognizes the fact that we are already dual citizenship on earth and in heaven and as the constitution of our kingdom, our kingdom declares if we will seek this kingdom first and his righteousness, everything else will fall into a line, into alignment." [00:03:13]
"After a long time, the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Look, I have gained five more talents besides them. His Lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Look, I have gathered two more besides them. And his Lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." [00:05:47]
"Now, a few things probably is very positive for those of us who struggle with what we have to give to the Lord. Because for some of us, we have to give to the Lord. Some of us will say, you know, P-Dub, I only have a few things. I don't see myself as one of those five talent persons or one of those two talent persons. I just like to kind of blend in with the crowd and I don't really have a lot to give to the Lord. And yet, when we understand Jesus teaching here and what he's talking about, we're going to be able to give to the Lord. There's a kingdom principle that's involved and we're just going to call it kingdom principle number one today. And that is as kingdom citizens, God is more interested in what we use than what we have." [00:13:25]
"As kingdom citizens, what we give today, what we do right now impacts what we receive later. Wow. Wow. Think about that for a moment, because we often don't talk about this in the church very much, that what we do right now impacts what we receive later, because Jesus said, you have been faithful, therefore I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into, start this wonderful process of the joy. Of the Lord." [00:18:03]
"God doesn't want the same thing he wants us to take the five talents that he's given us and multiply them to ten he wants us to take the two and grow them to four here at Bethesda community church he wants us to take this amazing church and community and impact eternity and And grow and increase the kingdom of God in ways that we can't even imagine. You can look around today and see the wonderful crowd that's here. But can I tell you, this is not God's expectation." [00:21:39]
"As much as it would be comfortable for us to say, let's just keep this the same. Here, Lord, let me give you back what you gave to me. In the kingdom of God, there's an expectation that he wants us to expand and grow the church. To be a Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, an uttermost part of the earth church. That he does not want us to stay the same. That there's an investment into the kingdom of God that he wants us to make. That will impact our community. Pastor Alvaro. So when you say, I'm excited about winning people for the kingdom of God. God is celebrating that because he's not interested in the same thing." [00:22:25]
"Because here's what Leviticus chapter 27 and verse 30 says. And all the tithe in the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. All the tithe. All the tithe is the Lord's. It is holy to the Lord. And someone might say, well, Pastor Wayman, I don't farm. I don't have. I don't have trees. I don't have an orchard. So then what do you have? What is the seed of your land? What is the fruit of your tree? If you're in communications or education or marketing or insurance or real estate or investing, what is the seed of your land? What is the fruit of your tree?" [00:24:06]
"So if I receive $5,000 in income this week, a tithe of that would be giving $500. If I receive $500, a tithe of that would be $50. If I receive $50, a tithe of that would be $5. It's not the amount. But it's simply returning to the Lord what he's given to us. So when we look at Scripture, we understand that, we understand that, that number 10 seems to be a testing number. Isn't that interesting? That the Lord tested Pharaoh 10 times with the plagues." [00:25:14]
"Test me, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. It's almost as if the Lord drops this passage, these verses, right at the end of the Old Testament. And I've often thought, why didn't he just... Why didn't he just... Why didn't he just wait a few verses and move them over into the first part of the New Testament? Until I recognized that maybe he still wanted to create a test for those who were intent on declaring that tithing is an Old Testament practice instead of a New Testament practice." [00:28:10]
"I think sometimes and if you you read the story this servant says Lord I was afraid to do what I knew to do. I think so much of the time fear enters in instead of faith and because we're afraid to lose what we have here on earth we don't understand that we end up losing it anyway. That's the irony when we're afraid here on earth to give what we have we don't enter into this reverential fear that ultimately we're going to lose what we have anyway when it comes to the Lord if we're not investing it." [00:35:08]
"Thank you for allowing me to address something that is important to Jesus and important to his kingdom and hopefully to do it in a compassionate way and a tender way. I still believe that our giving of tithes and offerings are done out of love and not law. That we give not because we have to but we give because we love to. We want to invest in the kingdom. We want to see more people come to Christ through Bethesda. We want to see more children come to know the Lord through Bethesda Christian School and the daily administration and gifts, mission and ministry of this house and this campus will continue to impact the kingdom of God in a great way because of the faithfulness and the willingness of this community to say, Lord, we want to hear those words. Well done. Good and faithful servant." [00:38:29]
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