Financial Freedom Through Stewardship and Lordship

Devotional

Day 1: Stewardship as an Act of Worship

Stewarding our resources is not merely a financial strategy; it is an act of worship that acknowledges God's sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. When we manage our finances according to His principles, we are not just ensuring financial security; we are actively declaring that He is Lord over our resources. This act of worship aligns our priorities with God's and opens our hearts to trust Him more deeply. It transforms our perspective on money from a tool for personal gain to a resource for advancing His kingdom. This alignment brings about a deeper relationship with God as we depend on Him to provide and guide us in our financial decisions. [26:19]

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (Proverbs 19:17 ESV)

Reflection: How can you view your financial giving and management as an act of worship this week?

Day 2: Building Financial Practices on Christ

True peace in our financial lives stems from building our practices on the teachings of Jesus, much like a house built on solid rock. This foundation allows us to withstand economic uncertainties with faith rather than fear. By adhering to biblical principles in our finances, we create a stable foundation that is not easily shaken by worldly pressures. This approach not only ensures financial security but also instills a peace that transcends understanding, rooted in the knowledge that our finances are governed by eternal truths rather than temporal circumstances. [29:49]

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11 ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure your financial decisions are built on the solid foundation of Jesus’ teachings?

Day 3: Confronting Materialism with Lordship

Recognizing Jesus as Lord over our finances is a powerful stance against the modern-day idolatry of materialism. This recognition challenges the pervasive influence of mammon in our lives, which seeks to replace God's central place with worldly wealth. By surrendering our financial control to Jesus, we affirm our trust in His provision and timing, which can often contradict the world's push for immediate gratification and self-reliance. This act of surrender is a declaration of our faith in His sovereignty and a step towards holistic stewardship. [46:02]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate that Jesus is the Lord over your finances today?

Day 4: The Blessings of Obedient Stewardship

Tithing is not merely a duty but a test of our faithfulness and trust in God. It is an opportunity to witness God's promises unfold in our lives as we obey His command to bring the first fruits into His storehouse. This act of obedience is a tangible expression of our trust in God's provision and often opens doors to blessings that extend beyond our financial realm. It strengthens our faith as we see God's faithfulness in action, encouraging us to depend on Him more fully in all aspects of life. [50:12]

"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 practicing faithful stewardship in tithing deepen your trust in God’s provision?

Day 5: Generational Impact Through Faithful Stewardship

Our commitment to stewardship and tithing does more than affect our immediate financial situation; it sets a precedent for future generations and influences the health and vitality of our church community. By faithfully managing our resources, we participate in building God's kingdom on Earth and ensure that the church remains a robust and vibrant community of faith. This ripple effect of our stewardship extends beyond our lifetime, impacting future believers and continuing the legacy of faithfulness. [55:07]

"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 legacy of stewardship are you building for future generations in your community?

Sermon Summary

Today, I began by welcoming everyone across all our campuses and online, expressing gratitude for our volunteers and the privilege of gathering to hear God's Word. I introduced the theme of our series, "Common Sense," focusing on financial freedom through biblical principles. I recapped last week's foundational teachings from Pastor Paul, emphasizing the importance of stewarding, seeding, saving, and spending, and encouraged everyone to engage with these resources to understand God's perspective on financial freedom.

I then delved into the concept of stewarding, particularly tithing, as a foundational aspect of financial freedom. I highlighted the biblical promise that when we put God first in our finances, He blesses us and rebukes the devourer for our sakes. This stewardship not only aligns our financial practices with God's will but also establishes a platform for peace and security in our lives, as illustrated by Jesus' parable of building a house on solid rock.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the lordship of Jesus over all aspects of our lives, including our finances. I challenged the congregation to consider whether Jesus is truly the Lord of their financial world, pointing out that this is not just a financial issue but a lordship issue. I used the scripture from Malachi to illustrate the importance of returning to God's ordinances, including tithing, to experience His blessings and protection.

I also addressed the practical implications of stewarding in today's economic climate, acknowledging the financial pressures many face and reinforcing the need for trust in God's provision and timing. I shared personal testimonies of how adhering to biblical principles of stewardship has brought about unexpected blessings and provision in my own life and the lives of others in our community.

As I concluded, I extended an invitation for individuals to make Jesus the Lord of their lives, not just in the area of finances but in every aspect. I led a prayer for those deciding to follow Christ, affirming the eternal significance of this decision and celebrating with the congregation the new beginnings for those who responded.

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Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Luke 6:43-49, what analogy does Jesus use to describe the importance of following His teachings?
In Malachi 3:6-12, what does God promise to do if the people bring all the tithes into the storehouse? [39:30]
What does Proverbs 3:9-10 say will happen when we honor the Lord with our wealth and the best part of everything we produce?
How does the sermon describe the relationship between financial stewardship and the lordship of Jesus? [36:18]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to build your financial practices on the "solid rock" of Jesus' teachings, as described in Luke 6:48? How might this look in practical terms? [29:49]
How does the concept of tithing in Malachi 3:6-12 serve as a test of faithfulness and trust in God? What are the implications of this for modern-day believers? [39:30]
In what ways does honoring the Lord with our wealth, as stated in Proverbs 3:9-10, align with the sermon’s message about financial stewardship as a form of worship? [50:12]
The sermon mentions that financial stewardship is not just a financial issue but a lordship issue. How does this perspective challenge common views on money and materialism? [36:18]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current financial practices. Are they built on the "solid rock" of Jesus' teachings? What changes might you need to make to align them more closely with biblical principles? [29:49]
The sermon emphasized the importance of tithing as a test of faithfulness. Have you experienced any challenges or blessings related to tithing? How has this affected your trust in God? [39:30]
Proverbs 3:9-10 talks about honoring the Lord with your wealth. What specific steps can you take this week to honor God with your finances? [50:12]
The sermon highlighted the lordship of Jesus over all aspects of our lives, including finances. How can you ensure that Jesus is truly the Lord of your financial world? [36:18]
Think about a time when you faced financial pressure. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? How might you handle similar situations differently in the future? [37:15]
The sermon mentioned the generational impact of stewardship. How can you model and teach biblical financial principles to the next generation in your family or community? [55:07]
Consider the idea that financial stewardship is a form of worship. How does this perspective change the way you view your financial decisions and priorities? [26:19]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I don't know if you've ever had a really awesome boss. That's about the time the front row should be saying, yeah, yeah, yeah. Those moments where you get along with the boss or the work environment is great, it's going well." [31:08]( | | )

2. "And not only do you get the privilege, Pete, of helping build his kingdom here on earth, his purpose in our priority of life, you'll actually get to a point where the gates of hell can never conquer what I'm going to establish in you. Think about that for a moment, because we are still to this day, thousands of years later, walking in the benefit, reaping the benefit of the surrender of a man by the name of Peter." [55:07]( | | )

3. "But the truth is, not only is Jesus Lord, our material world operates either in a surrendered or unsurrendered position. We're gonna unpack this idea of stewarding that the Word of God teaches us." [37:15]( | | )

4. "Today, I choose you as my Lord and my Savior. I thank you for loving me, forgiving me, and giving me a fresh start. I declare, I'm a follower of Christ." [46:02]( | | )

5. "And we're believing that each of us, they go on the journey to discover a personal revelation of what it is to steward well, to seed well, to save well, to spend well, that there would be a financial freedom reality for every single one of us." [01:05:57]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "I'm believing today that the foundation we choose to build is going to be one that allows you and I to experience the freedom that is found in Christ." [29:49]( | | )

2. "To live a life as a Christian where Jesus is Lord, I would say it's the difference between making a commitment saying yes to Jesus as Savior and now living surrendered to Jesus as Lord." [35:31]( | | )

3. "We have the power in surrendering and stewarding it well. We have the power to not allow the enemy access over our financial world. And God will pour out a blessing." [40:16]( | | )

4. "Peace isn't even found in having a lot of money. Because you're not financially free if you have a lot of money unless it's surrendered. But actually, I've found that peace is found in the presence of a person and his name is Jesus." [01:03:25]( | | )

5. "For Jesus to be lord, we must make sure he's lord of all. And the heart of this series is that every single one of us would find freedom when it comes to finances. We find that through God's word, God's principles, God's way." [01:04:52]( | | )

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