Stewardship: Embracing Generosity as Worship

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into the true essence of stewardship, a concept often misunderstood and misapplied within the church. Stewardship is not about funding projects or filling budget gaps; it is about recognizing that everything we have is God's, as Psalm 24:1 reminds us that "The Earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all its people belong to him." We are merely asset managers, tasked with the responsibility to manage what God has entrusted to us with care and wisdom.

We explored the idea that God does not call us to live in poverty but to use our resources wisely and generously. The word 'steward' may seem archaic, but it signifies a profound trust and responsibility. A steward in ancient times managed a lord's property, reaping the benefits while ensuring the estate thrived. Similarly, we are called to be faithful managers of God's gifts to us.

Our giving is an act of worship, a response to God's generosity. It is not about the amount we give but the joy and wholeheartedness with which we offer our gifts to God. This joy is not synonymous with constant happiness but is a deep-seated contentment that comes from knowing God is with us, even in our darkest moments. Our offerings nourish our souls and bring us closer to God, reflecting the divine image in which we were created.

We also touched on the concept of displacement theory, which suggests that by continuously introducing positive Christian influence into our society, we can eventually displace negative influences. This is not an overnight process but a gradual transformation achieved through persistent effort and the multiplication of people committed to this cause.

Finally, we emphasized that giving is about the condition of our hearts and our relationship with God. It is not about the church's budget or financial needs but about our spiritual journey. Our finances are transparent, and our focus is on the spiritual well-being of our congregation and community.

Key Takeaways:

- Stewardship is a sacred trust, not a financial strategy. As stewards, we acknowledge that everything we possess is God's, and our role is to manage these resources with faithfulness and integrity. This perspective shifts our focus from ownership to responsibility, fostering a spirit of generosity and trust in God's provision. [07:49]

- Giving is an act of worship that aligns our hearts with God's. When we give joyfully and wholeheartedly, we experience a profound connection with the divine. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and faithfulness in our lives. [18:16]

- We are created in the image of a generous God, and thus, giving is part of our spiritual DNA. Whether through time, talents, or financial resources, our giving reflects God's nature within us and draws us deeper into our identity as His children. [13:01]

- Displacement theory in a spiritual context suggests that by consistently living out and sharing our faith, we can influence our surroundings for the better. As we embody Christ's love and truth, we contribute to the transformation of our communities, one act of kindness at a time. [21:24]

- Our giving should be directed towards the advancement of God's kingdom, regardless of the specific avenue. The act of giving itself is what matters to God, as it signifies our trust in Him and our desire to see His love and grace spread throughout the world. [22:47]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 24:1 - "The Earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all its people belong to him."
2. 1 Corinthians 4:2 - "Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful."
3. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 24:1, who owns everything on Earth? How does this perspective influence our understanding of stewardship? [07:49]
2. What does 1 Corinthians 4:2 say about the qualities required in a steward? How does this relate to our role as managers of God's resources? [10:34]
3. How does John 3:16 illustrate God's nature as a giver? Why is this significant for our understanding of giving? [12:10]
4. In the sermon, what analogy was used to describe the role of a steward in ancient times? How does this analogy help us understand our responsibilities today? [09:56]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does recognizing that "The Earth is the Lord's" (Psalm 24:1) change our approach to managing our resources? What practical steps can we take to align our actions with this belief? [07:49]
2. What does it mean to be found faithful as a steward according to 1 Corinthians 4:2? How can we demonstrate faithfulness in our daily lives? [10:34]
3. How does the act of giving reflect our identity as being created in God's image, as mentioned in the sermon? What are some ways we can embody this in our communities? [13:01]
4. The sermon mentioned displacement theory. How can consistently living out and sharing our faith influence our surroundings? What are some examples of positive Christian influence you have seen or experienced? [21:24]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current attitude towards your possessions. Do you see them as your own or as resources entrusted to you by God? How can you shift your mindset to be more aligned with Psalm 24:1? [07:49]
2. Think about a time when you gave joyfully and wholeheartedly. How did this experience affect your relationship with God and others? How can you cultivate a habit of joyful giving in your life? [18:16]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can be a more faithful steward. What specific actions can you take this week to manage this resource with greater care and integrity? [10:34]
4. How can you introduce positive Christian influence into your workplace, school, or community? Share one practical step you can take to embody Christ's love and truth in these environments. [21:24]
5. Reflect on the concept of giving as an act of worship. How can you incorporate this understanding into your regular giving practices, whether through time, talents, or financial resources? [16:49]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of the condition of our hearts in giving. How can you assess and improve the condition of your heart towards giving? What changes might you need to make? [22:47]
7. Consider the idea of displacement theory in your own life. What negative influences can you identify in your surroundings, and how can you work towards displacing them with positive Christian actions? [21:24]

This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon’s message on stewardship, giving, and the impact of positive Christian influence. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Godly Stewardship
True stewardship is the sacred act of managing God's gifts with integrity and faithfulness. It is a shift from seeing ourselves as owners to being caretakers of the resources entrusted to us. This perspective challenges us to live with a sense of responsibility rather than entitlement, recognizing that our possessions, time, and talents are not ours to keep but to steward for God's glory. As stewards, we are called to be both prudent and generous, using what we have been given to serve others and advance God's kingdom. This approach to life fosters a deep trust in God's provision and a willingness to share, knowing that our true wealth is in heaven. [07:49]

"For it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." - 1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

Reflection: How can you better practice stewardship in your daily life, recognizing that all you have is entrusted to you by God?

Day 2: The Joy of Worshipful Giving
Giving is not merely a transaction but an expression of worship that aligns our hearts with God's heart. When we give out of joy and wholeheartedness, we tap into a profound connection with the divine that transcends our circumstances. This joy is a contentment rooted in the assurance of God's presence and faithfulness. It is a reflection of our trust in Him and an acknowledgment of His generosity towards us. As we give, we are reminded that our value does not come from our wealth but from our relationship with God. [18:16]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

Reflection: What changes can you make to ensure your giving is a joyful act of worship rather than a reluctant obligation?

Day 3: Reflecting Divine Generosity
We are created in the image of a generous God, and giving is an intrinsic part of our spiritual identity. Our offerings, whether of time, talents, or financial resources, are a reflection of God's nature within us. As we give, we grow closer to God and understand more deeply what it means to be His children. This divine generosity is not limited to material wealth but encompasses all aspects of our lives, inviting us to live open-handedly and to share the love and grace we have received with others. [13:01]

"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 God's generosity today, and how can you cultivate a more giving spirit?

Day 4: Transforming Society Through Faith
The displacement theory in a spiritual context suggests that by consistently living out and sharing our faith, we can positively influence our surroundings. This transformation is not immediate but occurs gradually as we embody Christ's love and truth in our daily interactions. By introducing positive Christian influence into society, we can displace negative influences and contribute to the betterment of our communities. This requires persistent effort and a commitment to being vessels of God's grace wherever we are. [21:24]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 ESV

Reflection: What is one way you can introduce a positive Christian influence in your community this week?

Day 5: Giving as a Reflection of the Heart
Our giving should be motivated by a desire to advance God's kingdom and reflect the condition of our hearts. It is not about meeting the financial needs of the church but about our personal relationship with God and our spiritual journey. When we give, we demonstrate our trust in God and our commitment to seeing His love and grace spread throughout the world. This act of giving, regardless of the amount, is a testament to our faith and a step towards spiritual growth. [22:47]

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." - Luke 6:38 ESV

Reflection: How does your current approach to giving reflect the condition of your heart, and what steps can you take to ensure it aligns with your desire to serve God?

Quotes

1) "Stewardship in the church has often been used poorly, to raise money for a budget or a building. That's not what stewardship is; it has nothing to do with funding anything." [06:58] (Download)

2) "We are an asset manager, managing what God has given us, ensuring we do the very best with it. God doesn't want us to live on nothing; He wants us to use our resources wisely." [09:13] (Download)

3) "When we give because God has given us the opportunity to give first, we are responding to His generosity. God is a giver, and we are created in His image, thus we are givers too." [12:10] (Download)

4) "Our giving reflects who Jesus is within us and brings us closer and deeper into our identity as His children. We're all called to use what we have to reflect God's nature." [13:01] (Download)

5) "The joy of giving is not about constant happiness but a deep-seated contentment from knowing God is with us, even in our darkest moments. Our offerings nourish our souls." [19:05] (Download)

6) "Displacement Theory suggests that by living out and sharing our faith, we can influence our surroundings for the better, transforming our communities one act of kindness at a time." [21:24] (Download)

7) "Giving to God helps spread the influence in our community. It's about our soul, our heart, and God, and your spiritual journey is important to me, not the church's budget." [22:47] (Download)

8) "The Earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. As stewards, we acknowledge that everything we possess is God's, and our role is to manage these resources with faithfulness." [07:49] (Download)

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Transcript
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