Faithfulness in the Ordinary: A Call to Stewardship
Summary
Faithfulness is not forged in the dramatic moments of crisis or passion, but in the quiet, daily rhythms of responsibility. True discipleship is formed in the ordinary—when we show up, when we worship, when we serve, and when we steward what God has entrusted to us, whether it be our time, our talents, our resources, or our testimony. The question is not whether we have been blessed, but what we are doing with the blessings we have received. Stewardship is the visible expression of the invisible work God is doing in our hearts. Our habits—how we spend our time, how we give, how we serve—are shaping our hearts and forming us into the likeness of Christ.
Jesus teaches that faithfulness in little things is the foundation for greater responsibility. God is not looking for us to do exceptional things for Him, but to be exceptional in the ordinary. When we are faithful in the unseen, in the mundane, God is honored and His kingdom is advanced. The parable of the talents reminds us that each of us is entrusted with gifts and opportunities according to our ability, and the measure of our faithfulness is not in how much we produce, but in how we steward what we have received. Burying our gifts out of fear, apathy, or resentment is not just unfortunate—it is sinful, and it robs both us and the kingdom of God of the fruit that could be produced.
Our stewardship is not limited to finances; it encompasses every area of our lives. The way we manage our time, the way we invest in others, the way we care for God’s house and His people—all of these are acts of worship and discipleship. We are called to be faithful not just for ourselves, but for the next generation. The legacy we leave is not just in what we do, but in who we are forming and discipling along the way. The church is not built on the efforts of a few, but on the faithfulness of many who give, serve, and love in the ordinary moments of life. Let us be a people who are formed in faithfulness, becoming disciples through daily stewardship, and leaving a legacy for those who come after us.
Key Takeaways
- Discipleship is forged in the ordinary, not the extraordinary. The daily rhythms of prayer, worship, service, and generosity are where God shapes our hearts and forms us into His likeness. It is in the mundane, unseen acts of faithfulness that true spiritual formation takes place, not just in moments of crisis or passion. [29:48]
- Stewardship is the outward expression of inward transformation. How we handle our time, talents, resources, and relationships reveals the true state of our hearts. Our habits—what we do when no one is watching—are forming us, and God is more concerned with our faithfulness in the little things than with grand gestures. [32:17]
- Faithfulness in obscurity is the prerequisite to influence. God does not require us to do exceptional things, but to be exceptional in the ordinary. When we serve, give, and love without recognition, we are laying the foundation for greater responsibility and blessing in God’s kingdom. [36:58]
- Burying our gifts out of fear or resentment is a serious spiritual danger. When we allow fear, apathy, or bitterness to keep us from using what God has given us, we not only miss out on God’s blessing, but we also risk hearing the words of rebuke from the Master. Every believer is entrusted with gifts and opportunities, and we are accountable for how we use them. [57:12]
- The legacy of faithfulness is built through investing in others and the next generation. Our stewardship is not just about what we do, but about who we are forming. The church thrives when each member gives, serves, and disciples, passing on a legacy of faith, generosity, and service to those who come after us. [01:06:45]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[24:38] - Declaration of Victory and Worship
[26:35] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude
[28:18] - Formed in Faithfulness: Introduction
[29:48] - Discipleship in Daily Rhythms
[31:14] - Stewardship of Time, Talent, Treasure, and Testimony
[32:17] - Faithfulness in the Little Things
[36:58] - Being Exceptional in the Ordinary
[39:27] - Habits That Shape the Heart
[40:57] - The Parable of the Talents
[45:39] - Stewarding Time and Commitment
[48:18] - The Consequences of Burying Our Gifts
[53:31] - The Danger of Bitterness in Stewardship
[57:12] - Accountability for Our Gifts
[01:06:45] - Legacy and Investing in the Next Generation
[01:11:04] - Closing Reflections and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Formed in Faithfulness
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)
- Luke 16:10 – “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is unrighteous with very little will also be unrighteous with much.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 – “It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (faithful).”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), what did each servant do with what the master entrusted to them? What was the master’s response to each?
2. According to Luke 16:10, what is the connection between being faithful in small things and being trusted with bigger things?
3. The sermon mentioned that stewardship is more than just about money. What other areas of life did the pastor say stewardship includes? ([31:14])
4. What reasons did the servant with one talent give for burying his gift, and how did the master respond? ([49:17])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize faithfulness in “little things” as the foundation for greater responsibility? How does this challenge our usual ideas about what is important in serving God? ([32:17])
2. The pastor said, “God is not looking for us to do exceptional things for Him, but to be exceptional in the ordinary.” What does it mean to be “exceptional in the ordinary” in the context of daily Christian life? ([36:58])
3. The servant who buried his talent did so out of fear and resentment. What does this reveal about his view of the master, and how might fear or bitterness keep us from using our gifts? ([51:07])
4. The sermon talked about leaving a legacy for the next generation. Why is it important that stewardship and faithfulness are not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us? ([01:06:45])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your daily routines. Are there “ordinary” areas of your life where you could be more faithful—like prayer, serving, giving, or caring for others? What is one small habit you could start this week? ([29:48])
2. The pastor said, “Our habits are forming our hearts.” What is one habit you have that is shaping you in a positive way? Is there a habit you need to change because it’s not helping you become more like Christ? ([39:27])
3. When you think about the gifts, time, or resources God has given you, are there any that you have been “burying” out of fear, apathy, or resentment? What would it look like to start using them for God’s kingdom? ([57:12])
4. The sermon challenged us to see stewardship as an act of worship, not just a duty. How can you shift your mindset so that giving, serving, or investing in others feels more like worship and less like an obligation? ([31:43])
5. The pastor shared stories about people who invested in the next generation—giving time, encouragement, or even a suit jacket. Who has invested in you, and how can you intentionally invest in someone else this month? ([01:06:45])
6. The message said, “The church is not built on the efforts of a few, but on the faithfulness of many.” What is one practical way you can contribute to the life of the church this season, even if it seems small or unseen? ([59:51])
7. If you struggle with bitterness or fear about serving or giving, what is one step you can take to address that—whether it’s talking to God honestly, seeking counsel, or simply taking a small risk in faith? ([53:31])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you be faithful in the ordinary, to use what He has given you for His glory, and to leave a legacy of faithfulness for those who come after you.
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Formation Happens in Everyday Faithfulness
True discipleship is cultivated not in extraordinary moments but in the steady, daily practices of prayer, worship, service, and generosity. It is through these ordinary rhythms that God shapes our hearts and molds us into the likeness of Christ. The unseen, mundane acts of faithfulness—those moments when no one else is watching—are where genuine spiritual growth takes root. This ongoing commitment to the ordinary is what forms a disciple, not just the dramatic or crisis-driven experiences of faith. When you embrace the daily disciplines, you participate in the quiet work God is doing within you, preparing you for a deeper walk with Him. [29:48]
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:1-2
Reflection: What is one daily spiritual habit you have neglected that could become a consistent rhythm of faithfulness in your life starting today?
Day 2: Stewardship Reveals the Heart’s Transformation
Stewardship is more than managing resources; it is the visible expression of the invisible work God is doing in your heart. How you handle your time, talents, finances, and relationships reveals your true spiritual condition. God is deeply concerned with your faithfulness in the small, unseen moments rather than grand, public gestures. The habits you form when no one is watching are shaping your character and your likeness to Christ. When you steward well what God has entrusted to you, you demonstrate the inward transformation He is accomplishing within you. [32:17]
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2
Reflection: In what specific area of your life—time, talent, treasure, or testimony—can you begin to practice more intentional stewardship this week? How will you measure your faithfulness in that area?
Day 3: Excellence in the Ordinary Precedes Greater Influence
God does not call you to perform spectacular feats but to be exceptional in the everyday tasks and responsibilities entrusted to you. Faithfulness in obscurity—serving, giving, and loving without recognition—is the foundation for greater responsibility and blessing in His kingdom. When you embrace the ordinary with excellence, you honor God and advance His purposes. This quiet faithfulness is not unnoticed by God; it is the soil from which influence and fruitfulness grow. Your willingness to serve faithfully in the mundane prepares you for the opportunities God will entrust to you in the future. [36:58]
“Whoever is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” — Luke 16:10
Reflection: Identify one “ordinary” task or responsibility in your life where you can choose to serve with greater excellence and faithfulness today. What practical step will you take to honor God in that task?
Day 4: Fear and Bitterness Endanger Our Gifts and Calling
When fear, apathy, or resentment cause you to hide or neglect the gifts God has given you, it is not only a missed opportunity but a serious spiritual danger. Burying your gifts out of fear or bitterness leads to loss—not just for you but for the kingdom of God. God entrusts each believer with unique gifts and opportunities, and you are accountable for how you use them. Allowing negative emotions to paralyze your stewardship invites rebuke and hinders the fruitfulness God desires. Instead, confront these barriers with faith and courage, trusting God to empower you to use your gifts for His glory. [57:12]
“As for the one who had received the one talent, he went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.” — Matthew 25:18
Reflection: Is there a gift or opportunity you have been avoiding because of fear, bitterness, or apathy? What is one step you can take today to confront that and begin to steward it faithfully?
Day 5: Faithfulness Builds a Lasting Legacy Through Discipleship
Your stewardship is not only about what you do but about who you are forming and discipling along the way. The church thrives when many faithful believers give, serve, and love consistently in the ordinary moments of life. Investing in others and the next generation creates a legacy that extends beyond your own lifetime. This legacy is built through daily faithfulness, generosity, and intentional discipleship. By committing to this, you participate in God’s ongoing work of building His kingdom through the lives of those who come after you. [01:06:45]
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally invest in or disciple this week? What practical action will you take to begin or deepen that relationship?
Quotes
Disciplehip is not forged only in moments of crisis or passion. Too often we see salvation is moments of crisis. When somebody is going through something that is tragic in their life, they will often run to Jesus uh for salvation and to receive his mercy and grace uh in desperation. We're crying out basically grasping for straws at that moment for someone to do something for us. But disciplehip is not forged in a moment of crisis or in a moment of joy and passion. These are opposite extremes of which disciplehip actually takes place. Disciplehip takes place this morning. Uh disciplehip takes place when we show up when the word of God is being delivered in whatever manner it is being delivered in. We're ready to receive from him so that it can shape us and it can develop us. [00:28:39]
In the stewardship of it is formed in the rhythm of responsibility in the stewardship of time, talent, treasure and testimony. Today we shift from the dramatic fire to the often overlooked furnace of daily choices. God forms us through what we do with what we have been given. And the question is not, have you been blessed? I want you to understand this. The question is not have you been blessed. It's what are you doing with the blessing? What are you doing with a blessing that God has given to you? [00:31:08]
Stewardship is the visible expression of invisible formation. When we're doing the things of God, it is an expression of what is taking place at home, what is taking place in private. When we're following the commands of God in daily life, it becomes an expression outwardly in the way in which we live, the way we talk, the way we live, the way we act, the things that we our attitude, our actions, our giving, our faithfulness, our service. They're expressions of who we are privately. Formation is proven in faithfulness with little. [00:31:47]
We often wait for big moments to prove our disciplehip. But God watches how we steward the unseen. It seems oftent times, and let's look at the financial aspect of things, that when God does big things for us, we've received a big blessing. We're willing to tithe. We're willing to give offering. We're willing to help the poor out. We're willing to sacrifice a little bit because we've received a a big blessing, maybe a bonus from work or something has happened in life and insurance made a big payout. And so we are willing to do in those moments and we're looking for God to bless us because we've done something in the big moment. [00:32:28]
God's blessing isn't only in the big moment. God's blessing is in the everyday life when we have chosen that we got paid on Friday, we're giving in the offering and we're tithing on Sunday. Why y'all so quiet? It's not just those moments of financial blessing on a weekly basis. It is the moments of are we serving faithfully? Are we sacrificially doing? We get into a place where we don't want to serve because we don't think they'll like what we are doing or how we are doing it. Listen, we're not leading in worship and getting in the worship team just because we're good at it. [00:33:23]
We're not getting up and preaching or teaching uh lessons because we're good at it. We're doing it because God has called us into a ministry in which needs to be performed. And God has called every single one of us to perform for him to do for him to serve for him. Don't wait for a big opportunity to do something great and to prove your disciplehip. Serve every single week. Do every single week. And I promise in the little things, God will move even bigger in your life. Do greater things. God watches how we steward the unseen. God watches how we steward the little things. [00:34:11]
There's a a baggie hanging on our our little calendar. They got little clips on it and you'll see baggies hanging at our house with coins in it or a dollar or two because they have been blessed some way and they know immediately that they got to give uh in their tithe and and so they do so and there's these little baggies hanging uh that they'll bring to church with them. And uh uh Blake brought his little baggie I think last Sunday uh with his tithe in it because and we teach the lesson. Well, it's just a little lesson that is easy as they're learning now the little lessons of doing and serving that later on they will know this is just what we do. [00:35:12]
This is how we do it. This is how the church operates. This is how we give back to God. This is how we honor the Lord. The little things. And I believe that if we instill those little things into their life, and listen, it's not easy because they've fussed about it before. They fuss just as much as you fuss sometimes over it. But oftent times, we must learn to get ourselves to a position and a place where our tithing and our giving is the biggest checks we often write. And I know nobody likes those things. I'm not just talking about to the church. I'm talking in the way in which we operate our daily lives. [00:35:55]
Faithfulness in obscurity is often the prerequisite to influence. Oswald Chambers said it is ingrained in us that we have to do that we have to do exceptional things for God. We think that we've got to do exceptional things for God. But we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary. We don't do anything exceptional for God. When we are doing for God, it is God who is doing great and big things. Amen. It is God who is working in us and through us that we are doing good things. [00:36:50]
The philosophy that I've held on to is is that I will get a rest when I get to lay down and take my last breath. And until then, I need to give everything and my all to Jesus. And I just believe he deserves Ryan's best. Amen. It's not a matter that when we come together as the church that we're doing our best to show somebody else, oh, look at our worship. Oh, look at our service. Oh, look at our giving. It's, oh, look at what God's doing in and through us. It needs to be about God. [00:37:44]
And when we show up at the house of God, it needs to be about magnifying him, worshiping him to our very best of our abilities. It's not just that these guys come practice worship, the pastor puts together a good sermon. It's got to be that we show up and give him our best, too. He's worthy of that, is he not? He's worthy to be magnified. He's worthy to be worshiped. Lift up your voice and praise the name of Jesus. Be glad. Be happy. He's a good God. We're not doing real well at stewarding our time in his presence. [00:38:14]
Formation is practiced in the mundane. Whether it shows how you handle your schedule, your giving, your attention to others, or your care for God's house, your habits are forming your heart. Your habits are forming your heart. The things you listen to, the things you watch, the things you do. Show me your Google search history. Show me your YouTube search history. Show me your recent text messages to your best friend. No, I'm serious. Get it out. Let me see. Uh, we don't want to show any of those things. Is it magnifying God? Is it honoring God? Is it pleasing God? [00:38:59]
Whether it's how you handle your schedule, your giving, your attention to others, or your care for God's house, your habits are shaping your heart. Many want an anointing, but few want accountability. Many want many want a prayer. Many pray for a calling, but ignore the stewardship. I got to get to my main text here. Matthew chapter 25 verse 14. For it is just like a man about to go on a journey who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. This is a man whose workers who work for him. He's saying, "I'm going to give you some of my possessions." [00:40:32]
To one, he gave him five talents and approximately 20 years worth of salary. Now think for a moment. If you were to receive 20 years of your salary today, what are you going to do? I'm tell you what I'm doing. I'm gonna go on vacation. You might not see me again. I'm 40. That's 50. That's 60. 61. I'm almost to retirement. I'll work at McDonald's. To 65, we we're good. That's why Jennifer said that I could never play the lottery. Not that we believe in that, but she said I could never play the lottery. [00:41:21]
If we were given 20 years worth of our salary, I'm out. You're out. Think about what you're going to accomplish in receiving that 20 years. So let that process in your mind. This servant has received 20 years salary to another two and to the one. Now, we often think, well, it's kind of sad that he just got one. So, he got one. Four years salary. Four years. Imagine the things you can do with four years. All of a sudden, you've received your salary. He receives four years. Each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. Master left. Gone. Here you go. [00:42:30]
He not only took 20 years salary, he went and got 40 years salary out of this. And what did he do? It uses the Greek uses the word traded here and and in translation of this word traded meant he went and went to work. He went about serving. He didn't just go put it in the stock market. He didn't just go put it in the bank. He went and decided, well, I'm going to buy this cattle over here and and some of these uh uh animals so that I can have some livestock. Going to buy some land so that we can grow some grain. May have went and purchased some other uh type items in which he could turn a profit. [00:43:22]
God's going to bless those who are going to return a benefit to the master. God's going to bring healing to you because he knows you're going to stand up and testify and give glory and honor to the one who brought the healing. It's not going to be about, well, I fasted so many days and I prayed so many days and and the Lord finally healed my foot. No, it had nothing to do about you. It was all about him. He is the one who done it all. Didn't matter what I done. Didn't matter how I done it. He deserved the glory. [00:44:56]
And so when we give on a weekly basis of tithe and offering, let's just look at that side of it. It's an ordinary thing and God continues to bless and he's able to honor and take care of you in bigger things later. When you show time and you say, "Well, you know what? I'm going to commit. I'm going to commit that I'm going to find me a job that's not going to keep me out of the house of God. I promise you when you commit to those things that God will work those things out for you to get you a good job. God will work through all the different things that you are bringing to him so that he can receive the glory and the benefit." [00:45:41]
Time is part of stewardship as well in our formation. You do have time to pray every day. You do have time to read your Bible every day. You do have time to worship God every single day this week. You steward your time f so that God can be magnified in your life. And if you can steward your time in those things, you will then be able to steward your schedule. And then you will be able to steward your giving. You will then be able to give attention to others. And you will be able to take care of God's house. Your habits are forming your heart. [00:47:26]
The servant who gives his talent back, he despised the grace that was given to him. He was given four years worth of a salary to go and do something great with. And I'm sure that he was completely could have been completely taken care of. But while he had four years salary buried in a hole somewhere, he was probably starving at the same time. Not only starving, was probably homeless. I'm reading into this a little bit just so you know, but he was a servant and his master's gone and nobody else is probably taking care of him. And now he's just frustrated because he can't touch the salary that he's got buried in a hole and he's getting bitter about it. [00:52:34]
See how what h see the correlation here of what happens to us when we get bitter about our stewardship. We despise the grace that is given to us. We may not make as much as somebody else. We may not have as much as somebody else. But goodness, God has blessed every single one of us in this church today. You got clothes on your back. You got a roof over your head. You've got food on your tables. And God is still a good God. I don't have it all. There's ones who got greater things than me and more than me, but I am still blessed. [00:52:55]
We have become passive about our surface, burying our talents in the ground. It's not merely unfortunate, but it is also sinful. When you are led and dictated by somebody else and not by the Holy Spirit, you are allowing somebody else to instill fear, anger, hate, resentment, all those other things into your heart. and it fers until it boils over. It's sinful. Making no effort for the kingdom out of fear, apathy, or resentment places a soul in danger of hearing the dreadful words cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. [00:57:12]
If we're not using what God has blessed us with to honor him, we are not a disciple of Christ. See, when we give our heart to Jesus Christ, that is just the first stage of developing us into who he has called us to be. There is always something for us to do for the kingdom of God. We might not be doing it in the house of God. Sometimes it happens at our workplace. Sometimes I I I just love to see that one of the eldest men of our church service serves his time at a food pantry. Brother Carlton serves every Wednesday and every Thursday. I have seen people give over and over of themselves. [00:58:14]
And we are Union Grove. We are the church of God. We are a part of the kingdom of God. And the way in which we care for this place is not just financially, but it is also in saying, "Oh, there's a piece of trash. Oh, the weeds need taken care of. Oh, so and so's sick. Let me check in on them. Oh, there's a prayer request that has come through. We got to stop right now so that we can pray." It is always about the church. Our lives are shaped about this church. I know you have jobs. I know you have families. But we are the family of God. [01:00:00]
Be that legacy of the generation before us who were people who not only gave of themselves, but they gave of their time and their talents. And they honored not only the ministry, but they honored the children. and the next generation. You don't know what you might be taking off your back that's going to be a pastor one day, that's going to be a servant one day, that's going to grow up and is going to help you in this life one day. There have been countless individuals who have went by and they have honored the older generation because the older generation was honoring them. You are sewing into people. [01:10:06]
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