Stewardship and Trust: A Faithful Approach to Finances

 

Summary

In a sermon centered on the Christian approach to finances, the speaker delves into the complex relationship between money, happiness, and faith. Drawing from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, the speaker underscores the futility of accumulating earthly treasures and the importance of investing in heavenly ones. Money, while necessary, is not a source of peace or righteousness, and it is the love of money, not money itself, that is deemed evil. The speaker uses the parable of the talents from Matthew 25 to illustrate the responsibility of stewardship that comes with the resources God entrusts to us.

The speaker shares personal stories, including their own struggle with student loan debt and the journey of adopting their child, Rosie. These narratives highlight the importance of trust in God, especially in financial matters and life's unpredictable turns. The speaker also recounts a harrowing incident where they saved their brother Jake from drowning, a moment that reinforced the necessity of trust and the weight of responsibility.

The sermon offers practical advice on handling finances, advocating for giving as a reflection of God's nature, the wisdom of saving, and the importance of managing debt. The speaker also discusses the need to work hard with what God has given us, to avoid possessiveness, and to trust in God's provision, citing Matthew 6's exhortation to seek first the kingdom of God.

In a culture where trust is waning, the speaker calls for a renewed trust in God, referencing Psalms that affirm God as a refuge and a fortress. They caution against a transactional approach to God, reminding the congregation that everything belongs to Him and that we are merely stewards. The speaker also touches on the challenges of managing resources correctly, using their experience with cash envelopes to demonstrate disciplined spending.

Key Takeaways:

- The pursuit of wealth often distracts from the true source of contentment, which is found in a life aligned with God's purposes. The speaker's reference to the parable of the talents teaches us that it is not the amount of money we have that matters, but how we use it to serve God and others. This principle challenges us to evaluate our financial decisions and stewardship through the lens of faithfulness and responsibility. [25:43]

- Trust in God is foundational to navigating life's uncertainties, including financial ones. The speaker's personal story of adopting Rosie and the near-drowning of their brother Jake illustrates that trust in God can carry us through the most challenging and frightening moments. This trust is not passive but requires active reliance on God's character and promises, even when circumstances seem to suggest otherwise. [09:07]

- Giving is not merely a financial transaction but a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God's generous nature. By prioritizing giving, we acknowledge God's sovereignty over our resources and express our trust in His provision. The speaker's emphasis on giving as an investment in Heaven invites us to consider how our generosity reflects our faith and impacts our eternal legacy. [32:47]

- Debt can be a significant burden, but it also presents an opportunity for growth in financial wisdom and reliance on God. The speaker's candid sharing of their experience with student loan debt serves as a reminder that overcoming debt is not just about numbers but about cultivating discipline, seeking wisdom, and trusting God's guidance in our financial journey. [34:41]

- The speaker's use of cash envelopes as a budgeting method underscores the importance of intentional and disciplined spending. In a society where consumerism is rampant, Christians are called to a different standard—one that prioritizes God's kingdom and exercises restraint in the use of His resources. This approach to finances can lead to greater peace and contentment, as it aligns with God's design for stewardship. [35:12]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
> "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

2. Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
> The Parable of the Talents

3. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
> "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

### Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what are the two types of treasures mentioned, and what are their characteristics?
2. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), how did the servants use the talents they were given, and what was the master's response to each?
3. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to do, and what is the promised outcome?
4. How did the speaker's personal story about adopting Rosie illustrate trust in God? [09:07]

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus emphasize storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth in Matthew 6:19-21? How does this relate to our daily financial decisions?
2. In the Parable of the Talents, what does the master’s reaction to each servant teach us about stewardship and responsibility?
3. How can Proverbs 3:5-6 guide us in making financial decisions, especially in times of uncertainty?
4. How does the speaker’s experience with student loan debt and the use of cash envelopes reflect the principles of financial stewardship and trust in God? [34:41]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your current financial habits. Are there areas where you are storing up treasures on earth rather than in heaven? How can you shift your focus to align more with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6:19-21?
2. Think about a time when you had to trust God in a difficult situation. How did that experience shape your faith? How can you apply that trust to your financial life now? [09:07]
3. The speaker mentioned the importance of giving as a reflection of God's nature. How can you incorporate regular giving into your financial plan, even if you are currently facing financial challenges? [32:47]
4. Debt can be overwhelming. What practical steps can you take to manage or reduce your debt while trusting in God's provision? How can you apply the speaker’s advice on disciplined spending to your own life? [34:41]
5. The speaker shared a story about saving their brother from drowning, which highlighted the necessity of trust and responsibility. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God in your daily life, especially when facing financial or other uncertainties? [04:24]
6. How does the concept of stewardship, as illustrated in the Parable of the Talents, challenge you to rethink how you use the resources God has given you? What specific changes can you make to be a more faithful steward?
7. In what ways can you seek first the kingdom of God in your financial decisions, as encouraged in Matthew 6:33? What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize God's kingdom over material concerns? [28:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Wealth's Distraction Versus Faithful Stewardship
True contentment is found in using resources to serve God and others, not in the accumulation of wealth. The parable of the talents teaches that the value of money lies in its faithful stewardship. Reflecting on this, one must consider how financial decisions are made and whether they align with God's purposes. [25:43]

Luke 16:10-11 - "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Reflection: How can you better align your financial decisions with the principles of faithful stewardship this week?

Day 2: Trusting God Through Life's Storms
Life's uncertainties, including financial challenges, are navigated through foundational trust in God. Personal stories of adoption and rescue from danger illustrate that active reliance on God's character and promises is essential, even when circumstances are daunting. [09:07]

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Recall a recent difficult situation. How did you demonstrate trust in God, and what can you learn from that experience for future challenges?

Day 3: Generosity as a Reflection of Faith
Giving is a spiritual discipline that aligns with God's generous nature and acknowledges His sovereignty over our resources. It is an investment in Heaven that reflects our faith and impacts our eternal legacy. [32:47]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you practice generosity this week in a way that reflects your trust in God's provision?

Day 4: Overcoming Debt with Wisdom and Trust
Debt is a burden that can be overcome through discipline, wisdom, and reliance on God. The journey to financial freedom is not just about numbers but about growing in financial wisdom and trusting God's guidance. [34:41]

Proverbs 22:7 - "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to manage your debt more wisely and cultivate financial discipline?

Day 5: Intentional Spending for God's Kingdom
Christians are called to a standard of intentional and disciplined spending that prioritizes God's kingdom. Using methods like cash envelopes can help exercise restraint and align with God's design for stewardship. [35:12]

Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: What is one change you can make to your spending habits this week to better reflect your commitment to God's kingdom?

Quotes

"Money is not what brought happiness." [17:43]

"Do not store up for yourselves Treasures on Earth but store up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven for where your treasure is there your heart will also be no one can serve two masters either you will hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other you cannot serve both God and money Mammon see Mamon cannot produce peace in US it definitely can't produce righteousness in us." [20:51]

"When we follow God's design for handling finances it starts with giving...it demonstrates the centrality of God in our lives in a meaningful way." [32:04]

"God repeatedly directs us to trust in him...do not worry saying what shall I eat or what shall I drink or what shall we wear...seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." [28:13]

"The point of the story is that regardless of how much God has entrusted you with you're responsible for being a good Steward of what God gave you." [25:43]

"God I'm going to use your resources correctly I'm going to manage them correctly." [35:12]

"The starting point is not here's what's mine and I'll give back, it's everything is yours God so tell me what you want me to do with it." [29:30]

"often times even when you're going through a hard season where you're just having to trust on God you can look back and you can see oh I see what God was doing there he was working on this he was setting things up he was working upstream and I'm finally seeing what you were doing." [12:58]

"Money is a tool that when we handle it the way that God teaches us, it leads to peace and contentment." [31:26]

"God has entrusted us with things and we're not just talking about money he's given you the mindset he's given you the drive he's given you all of the opportunity that you're facing he's given you everything." [26:58]

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