Financial Stewardship: Aligning Discipleship with God's Word
Summary
In today's discourse, we delve into the profound relationship between our discipleship and our financial stewardship. As followers of Christ, we must recognize that discipleship is not merely about acquiring biblical knowledge; it encompasses every facet of our lives, including our financial dealings. Our beliefs about money, if they align with worldly perspectives, will inevitably shape our behaviors. Thus, it is imperative to align our financial beliefs with God's Word, allowing our behaviors to follow suit.
Our journey with finances is deeply personal and varies among us. Some may be burdened by debt, others may be grappling with the fear of losing what they have, and yet others may be struggling to make ends meet. In all these circumstances, God is our comforter and provider. He does not shame us but offers Holy Spirit conviction, guiding us to realign with His ways.
The sermon on the mount, particularly Matthew 6:24, reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money. This scripture is not an indictment of money itself but a warning against the love of money, which can ensnare us and hinder our discipleship. To live 'Unleashed' is to live free from the bondage of financial idolatry, enabling us to fulfill God's calling on our lives.
To navigate our financial discipleship, we must adopt biblical financial strategies. These include earning our income with integrity, planning our spending, saving for the future, and choosing contentment and gratitude. By doing so, we honor God with our resources and position ourselves to be channels of His blessings to others.
Generosity is a hallmark of our discipleship. By giving our first and best to God, we demonstrate our trust in Him as our provider. The principle of tithing, exemplified by Abraham and reinforced in Proverbs 3:9-10, is not about legalism but about the posture of our hearts towards God. Malachi 3:10-12 further encourages us to trust God with our resources, promising that He will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings when we are faithful in our giving.
Key Takeaways:
1. Discipleship encompasses every aspect of our lives, including our finances. When we align our financial beliefs with God's Word, our behaviors will naturally follow. This alignment is crucial for living a life that is truly 'Unleashed' from the love of money and free to serve God wholeheartedly. [09:03]
2. Financial stewardship is not just about giving but also about managing our resources wisely. We must earn with integrity, plan our spending, save for the future, and choose contentment. These principles are not just good advice; they are commands from Scripture that lead to a life of freedom and generosity. [24:31]
3. Generosity is a key component of our discipleship. By giving our first and best to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and provision in our lives. This act of worship is a testament to our trust in Him and opens the door for His blessings. [29:24]
4. The love of money can easily become an idol in our lives, but Jesus calls us to serve Him alone. By living a life 'Unleashed,' we are free from the chains of financial idolatry and can pursue the calling God has placed on our lives without hindrance. [23:14]
5. Our identity in Christ is not tied to our financial status. Whether we are in abundance or in need, our worth is found in being children of God. This truth should shape our approach to finances, leading us to stewardship that honors God and reflects our identity in Him. [02:47]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:24 (ESV) - "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
2. Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV) - "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:24, what are the two masters that the verse says one cannot serve at the same time?
2. According to Matthew 6:24, what are the consequences of trying to serve both God and money?
3. Proverbs 3:9-10 speaks of honoring the Lord with wealth and firstfruits. What are "firstfruits," and why might they be significant?
4. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 describe the purpose of Scripture in the life of a believer?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be devoted to one master and despise the other, as mentioned in Matthew 6:24?
2. How might the principle of not being able to serve both God and money apply to financial stewardship and discipleship?
3. In what ways can honoring God with one's wealth, as described in Proverbs 3:9-10, reflect the posture of one's heart towards God?
4. Considering 2 Timothy 3:16-17, how can Scripture guide a believer in making financial decisions that honor God?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current financial practices. Are there areas where you might be serving money over God? What steps can you take to realign your priorities?
2. Identify a specific way you can honor God with your wealth this week. How can you plan to give your first and best to God, as suggested in Proverbs 3:9-10?
3. Think about a financial decision you need to make soon. How can you use Scripture to guide you in that decision, ensuring it aligns with God's principles?
4. Consider your attitude towards money. What is one action you can take this week to cultivate contentment and gratitude, regardless of your financial situation?
5. Choose one financial habit you would like to change to better reflect your discipleship. What is the first step you will take to implement this change?
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Wealth with Divine Wisdom
True discipleship integrates God's financial wisdom into our daily lives. It is essential to understand that our approach to money should not be dictated by the world's standards but by the divine principles found in Scripture. When one's financial beliefs are rooted in the Word of God, every decision made about earning, spending, saving, and giving reflects a heart aligned with God's will. This alignment liberates individuals from the love of money, allowing them to serve God wholeheartedly and live a life 'Unleashed' from materialistic chains. It is a journey of transformation where the disciple's lifestyle becomes a testament to their faith, showcasing a trust in God's provision and sovereignty over all aspects of life, including finances. [09:03]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33
Reflection: How does your current financial management reflect your commitment to seeking God's kingdom first?
Day 2: Integrity in Earning, Wisdom in Spending
Financial stewardship is not solely about generosity; it is also about managing resources with prudence and integrity. Earning income honestly, planning expenditures carefully, saving for future needs, and embracing contentment are not merely sound financial practices but are biblical commands that lead to a life of freedom and generosity. These principles enable believers to honor God with their resources and become conduits of His blessings. By living out these scriptural truths, one can experience the joy of financial peace and the ability to give generously, reflecting God's character in every transaction. [24:31]
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." - Romans 13:8
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to improve your financial integrity or planning?
Day 3: Generosity as Worship
Generosity is a fundamental expression of discipleship, reflecting a heart that trusts God as the ultimate provider. Giving the first and best to God is an act of worship that acknowledges His lordship over all resources. This practice, rooted in the example of Abraham and the wisdom of Proverbs, is less about the act of giving and more about the giver's heart posture. It is a declaration of dependence on God, inviting His blessings and affirming that one's security is not in wealth but in the richness of a relationship with the Creator. [29:24]
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." - Proverbs 3:9-10
Reflection: What does giving your first and best to God look like in your financial life?
Day 4: Freedom from Financial Idolatry
The love of money is a subtle idol that can ensnare even the most devout believers, but Jesus calls His followers to serve Him alone. Living 'Unleashed' means breaking free from the chains of financial idolatry, enabling one to pursue God's calling without hindrance. This freedom is not about the absence of money but about the presence of a heart wholly devoted to God. It is about prioritizing eternal treasures over temporary wealth and finding true contentment in serving Christ above all else. [23:14]
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." - 1 Timothy 6:10
Reflection: In what ways might the love of money be influencing your decisions, and how can you actively work to serve God alone in this area?
Day 5: Identity Rooted in Divine Sonship
A believer's identity in Christ is not determined by financial status but by their position as a child of God. Whether in abundance or in need, one's worth is secure in the Father's love. This profound truth should shape the approach to finances, leading to stewardship that honors God and reflects one's identity in Him. It is a call to view resources through the lens of God's kingdom, using them in a way that furthers the gospel and demonstrates the transformative power of being a new creation in Christ. [02:47]
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" - Romans 8:15
Reflection: How can your financial decisions this week reflect your identity as a child of God rather than the world's definition of success?
Quotes
1) "Jesus did not set us free from our sins so that we can be enslaved to something else. You didn't get set free by Jesus to be enslaved to something else that would shackle you." [13:14] (Download | Download cropped video)
2) "God will not bless unethical behavior. He will not bless you as a follower of his choosing to do completely opposite of what he teaches us to do in the basics." [27:04] (Download | )
3) "Good planning and hard work lead to Prosperity, but Hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. It's not just hard work, there has to be planning that goes with it." [42:35] (Download | )
4) "Discipleship encompasses all of our lives; it's not just how much you know the Bible. It includes the way that we relate to money, the way that we relate to our finances." [09:03] (Download | )
5) "Our financial landscape did not change overnight; it took a lot of time and a lot of sacrifice. It took a lot of doing things that we didn't really want to do." [21:25] (Download | Download cropped video)
6) "If you give first and best, you're saying you're first in my life, and secondly, I trust you to take care of me, that I can live better on the other part where I've given first." [28:49] (Download | Download cropped video)
7) "I realized I had not even done a very good job of teaching my son about this area. I didn't teach because I didn't feel like I had credibility." [52:17] (Download | )
8) "I want you to know that God loves you, you are of value, you are of worth, whatever you're struggling with today. God is the comforter this morning to you." [08:28] (Download | )
9) "Maybe living Unleashed is that you realize you've been living a little bit of a delusion in thinking that you don't love money, but God may show you no, you really do." [11:26] (Download | )
10) "We want to lead EVC to be one of the most generous churches of Our Generation. We want to give more away than we keep right here." [35:36] (Download | )
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