Stewardship: Aligning Faith with Financial Responsibility

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound connection between spiritual vitality and financial stewardship. We delved into the truth that while spiritual expressions such as shouting, dancing, and speaking in tongues are significant aspects of our faith, they are not substitutes for practical financial discipline. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives must be accompanied by a disciplined approach to managing the resources God entrusts to us. We are called to be accountable stewards of the wealth God has placed in our lives, recognizing that being anointed is not about outward appearances but about embodying the full armor of God in every aspect of our lives, including our finances.

We were reminded that God gives us the power to acquire wealth, not merely for our own comfort but to establish His covenant and be a blessing to others. The sermon outlined three critical steps to living well financially: earning more than we spend, understanding that wealth is created through investment rather than mere labor, and finding assets that generate income for us. We were encouraged to shift our mindset from working for money to having money work for us, creating streams of income that align with God's purpose for our lives.

The sermon also highlighted the story of the Good Samaritan, illustrating that our response to those in need is a test of our stewardship. We were challenged to consider whether we are prepared to use our resources to help others, even strangers, without expecting anything in return. This narrative served as a powerful reminder that our prosperity is not for self-indulgence but for serving others in love and compassion.

Furthermore, we addressed the societal issue of poverty and its relationship to crime, emphasizing the church's role in providing opportunities, job training, and entrepreneurship to uplift the community. We were called to spiritual warfare for those trapped in the cycle of poverty and crime, believing that God will provide a way of escape and a path to prosperity.

In conclusion, we were encouraged to trust God with our finances, believing that He will position us to be a blessing to others. Our giving is an act of faith, reflecting our trust in God's ability to provide and our commitment to being His instruments of blessing in the world.

Key Takeaways:

- True anointing is demonstrated through disciplined stewardship of our finances. We must align our spiritual zeal with practical wisdom to manage and multiply the resources God has given us. This balance is essential for living a life that honors God and serves others effectively. [49:33]

- Wealth creation is not solely the result of labor; it involves strategic investment and the acquisition of assets that generate income. As believers, we must educate ourselves on financial principles and seek God's wisdom to invest in ways that will secure our financial future and advance the Kingdom. [55:24]

- The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that our response to those in need is a reflection of our heart and stewardship. When God shows us a need, it is an indication of our divine assignment to address it. Our prosperity is meant to empower us to serve and uplift others. [56:56]

- The church must actively engage in addressing societal issues such as poverty and crime. By creating opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship, we can break the cycle of poverty and crime, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in practical ways. [01:02:35]

- Our giving is a testament to our faith and a declaration that we trust God to use us as channels of blessing. As we give, we do so with the expectation that God will not only meet our needs but also use our resources to impact the lives of others positively. [01:38:46]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:30-35: "In reply Jesus said: 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the Samaritan take to help the injured man in Luke 10:30-35?
2. According to the sermon, what are the three critical steps to living well financially? ([54:38])
3. How does the story of the Good Samaritan illustrate the concept of stewardship? ([56:56])
4. What societal issues did the pastor highlight as being connected to poverty and crime? ([01:02:35])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero in the parable, and what does this teach us about our own prejudices and responsibilities? ([45:49])
2. How does the principle of earning more than you spend align with biblical teachings on stewardship and financial wisdom? ([54:38])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our financial resources should be used to serve others and advance God's Kingdom? ([56:56])
4. How can the church actively engage in addressing societal issues like poverty and crime, according to the sermon? ([01:02:35])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current financial habits. Are there areas where you need to exercise more discipline to align with the principle of earning more than you spend? What steps can you take this week to improve? ([54:38])
2. The sermon encourages shifting our mindset from working for money to having money work for us. What practical steps can you take to start investing and creating streams of income that align with God's purpose for your life? ([55:24])
3. Think of a time when you saw someone in need but did not help. How can the story of the Good Samaritan inspire you to act differently in the future? ([45:49])
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of the church in providing opportunities and job training to uplift the community. How can you personally contribute to these efforts within your church or community? ([01:02:35])
5. Reflect on your giving habits. How does your giving reflect your faith and trust in God's provision? What changes can you make to ensure your resources are being used to bless others? ([01:38:46])
6. The sermon highlighted the connection between poverty and crime. How can you be part of the solution in your community, either through advocacy, volunteering, or other means? ([01:02:35])
7. Consider the areas in your life where you have been blessed. How can you use these blessings to help others, even strangers, without expecting anything in return? ([56:56])

Devotional

Day 1: Disciplined Stewardship Reflects True Anointing
Financial discipline is not merely a secular concern but a spiritual mandate. True anointing in one's life is evidenced not just by spiritual fervor but by the disciplined stewardship of finances. It is essential to recognize that the resources one has are entrusted by God and should be managed with wisdom and prudence. This involves living within means, saving diligently, and avoiding the pitfalls of debt that can enslave. It is not enough to display faith through worship if it is not matched by the responsible handling of money. This balance of spiritual zeal and financial wisdom is the hallmark of a life that truly honors God and is prepared to serve others effectively. [49:33]

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." - 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

Reflection: How can you improve your financial stewardship to better reflect your spiritual commitment to God?

Day 2: Strategic Investment Over Mere Labor
Wealth creation transcends the bounds of mere labor; it is about making strategic investments and acquiring assets that generate income. Labor is essential, but it is the wisdom to invest and the understanding of financial principles that truly build a secure financial future. Believers are called to educate themselves on these principles and seek divine guidance to make investments that not only benefit themselves but also advance God's kingdom. This shift from working for money to having money work for you is a critical step in achieving financial well-being and fulfilling God's purpose for your life. [55:24]

"Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense." - Proverbs 12:11 ESV

Reflection: What steps can you take to move from earning through labor to generating income through strategic investment?

Day 3: Compassionate Stewardship in Action
The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that stewardship extends beyond personal finance management to compassionate action. Our response to those in need reflects the condition of our hearts and the authenticity of our stewardship. Prosperity is not meant for self-indulgence but for serving and uplifting others with love and compassion. When confronted with a need, it is an opportunity to act on our divine assignment to help, embodying the love of Christ through our generosity and willingness to serve without expecting anything in return. [56:56]

"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion." - Luke 10:33 ESV

Reflection: How can you use your resources this week to help someone in need as an expression of your stewardship?

Day 4: Church's Role in Transforming Society
The church has a pivotal role in addressing societal issues such as poverty and crime. By fostering opportunities, job training, and entrepreneurship, the church can help break the cycle of poverty and crime, demonstrating the Gospel's transformative power in tangible ways. This engagement is a form of spiritual warfare, fighting for those trapped in destructive cycles and believing in God's provision for a way out and a path to prosperity. The church's active involvement in these areas is a testament to its commitment to living out the Gospel in every aspect of life. [01:02:35]

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" - Isaiah 58:6 ESV

Reflection: What can you do to support the church's mission in addressing poverty and crime in your community?

Day 5: Giving as an Act of Faith and Trust
Giving is not merely a charitable act; it is a profound expression of faith and trust in God's provision. When we give, we do so believing that God will not only meet our needs but will also use our resources to positively impact the lives of others. Our generosity is a declaration of our trust in God's ability to provide and our commitment to being His instruments of blessing in the world. This act of faith is what positions us to be a blessing to others, fulfilling our calling to be stewards of God's abundance. [01:38:46]

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your trust in God's provision through your giving this week?

Quotes

- "Shouting is not a strategy. Dancing is not a practical blueprint for debt. Clapping will not call off the creditors. Speaking in tongues will not untie your mortgage. You have to have discipline and focus." [53:43] (Download | )

- "He gives power to get wealth and establish a covenant. I don't want you to just feel good, I want you to live well. Earn more than you spend, wealth is created from investing, and find assets that will pay you." [54:38] (Download | )

- "Before this year is over, you will not be working for money; money will be working for you. Checks are coming in the mail, streams of income are opening up in your life, every investment is going to pay you back dividend." [56:13] (Download | )

- "The Samaritan's response to the man in need was a test of his stewardship. When we amass wealth, we must recognize it's to put ourselves in a position to be a blessing to others, not just for self-indulgence." [01:25:25] (Download | )

- "What God is showing you is what you are assigned to. If it bothers you, it's your burden. When God shows you something, that's the order you are anointed to fix." [01:27:02] (Download | )

- "God will release provision for people who have wide vision. If it only benefits you, it is a goal. If it benefits other people, it is a dream. The dream God has put on your life is to improve somebody else's life." [52:07] (Download | )

- "God is going to get money through you. The money that God is about to release into your life is not just for you. He needs you to be a blessing to somebody else." [52:54] (Download | )

- "The reason why the devil been fighting you so hard is he knows how many people's life is going to be impacted once you get on your feet. How many people I'm going to be able to bless because of the anointing on my life." [01:14:50] (Download | )

- "The Samaritan, who is not a preacher, had oil to help the man in need. This shows that the true measure of a person is not their profession but what they carry within them, the ability to help others." [01:17:07] (Download | )

- "The church's role is not just to sing and shout, but to do something in the spirit realm to cut down on crime. We need to provide opportunities, job training, and entrepreneurship to uplift the community." [57:43] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?