Stewardship: Living for God's Glory in All Aspects
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of stewardship, emphasizing that our lives, resources, and decisions are entrusted to us by God. This stewardship extends beyond mere financial giving; it encompasses every aspect of our lives, including our families, jobs, communities, and churches. The idea of "Ordo Amoris," or the order of loves, was introduced, highlighting the importance of prioritizing our responsibilities and loves in a way that aligns with God's will. This concept, rooted in teachings from Augustine, reminds us that our primary stewardship is to God, followed by our families, jobs, and communities.
We delved into the biblical understanding of tithing, clarifying that while the Old Testament prescribed a tithe, or tenth, of one's income, the New Testament encourages us to give offerings as an act of worship and commitment to God. The focus is not on a specific percentage but on giving generously and cheerfully, as God prospers us. This giving supports the church, missions, and those in need, reflecting the church's role as the primary organization for spreading the gospel.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of making daily decisions as acts of worship, recognizing that discipleship involves denying ourselves and following Christ wholeheartedly. Our stewardship is not just about managing resources but about living a life that glorifies God in every decision we make. As stewards, we are called to handle everything within our realm of impact with care and intentionality, always seeking God's guidance in how we use our resources.
Ultimately, the goal is to live a life that honors God, using everything we have for His glory. This involves a commitment to serving God with all that we are and have, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and grace. As we navigate our stewardships, we aim to leave a legacy of faithfulness for future generations, striving to hear the words "well done" from our Heavenly Father.
Key Takeaways:
- Order of Loves: The concept of "Ordo Amoris" teaches us to prioritize our responsibilities and loves according to God's will. By placing God first, followed by our families, jobs, and communities, we maintain a balanced life that honors Him. This ordered love helps prevent the chaos that comes from misaligned priorities. [44:15]
- Stewardship as Worship: Every decision we make is an opportunity to worship God. Our stewardship extends beyond finances to include our time, talents, and relationships. By recognizing God's ownership of all we have, we can make decisions that reflect His love and grace. [46:06]
- Generosity in Giving: The New Testament encourages us to give offerings as an act of worship, not out of obligation. Our giving should be generous and cheerful, reflecting God's grace in our lives. This supports the church, missions, and those in need, furthering the gospel's reach. [01:14:57]
- Discipleship and Denial: True discipleship involves denying ourselves and following Christ wholeheartedly. This means prioritizing God's will over our desires and making decisions that align with His purpose for our lives. Our stewardship is a reflection of our commitment to Him. [47:14]
- Legacy of Faithfulness: Our goal is to live a life that honors God, leaving a legacy of faithfulness for future generations. By stewarding our resources wisely and serving God with all we have, we aim to hear "well done" from our Heavenly Father. This involves intentional living and a commitment to glorifying God in all we do. [01:18:46]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[42:08] - Introduction to Stewardship
[44:15] - Ordo Amoris: Order of Loves
[46:06] - Decisions as Worship
[47:14] - Discipleship and Denial
[48:03] - Stewardship Beyond Church
[49:56] - Understanding Tithing
[51:35] - Old Testament Tithing Explained
[53:36] - Tithing in the New Testament
[54:43] - Church as Gospel Propagation
[56:09] - Supporting the Church
[57:45] - Paul's Teaching on Giving
[01:01:20] - Supporting Ministry and Missions
[01:03:02] - Supporting the Needy
[01:06:41] - Financial Accountability
[01:09:46] - Principles of Giving
[01:14:57] - Cheerful and Generous Giving
[01:18:46] - Legacy of Faithfulness
[01:20:15] - Closing Prayer and Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:19-21
2. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
3. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the concept of "Ordo Amoris" and how does it relate to our responsibilities and priorities? [44:15]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between Old Testament tithing and New Testament giving? [49:56]
3. According to the sermon, what are some areas of life that fall under our stewardship? [48:03]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the church in the propagation of the gospel? [54:43]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of "Ordo Amoris" help someone prioritize their life according to God's will? [44:15]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that giving is an act of worship rather than an obligation? [49:56]
3. How does the idea of stewardship extend beyond financial resources to include other aspects of life? [48:03]
4. What implications does the sermon suggest about the church being the primary organization for spreading the gospel? [54:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. How might the concept of "Ordo Amoris" help you realign them to better reflect God's will? [44:15]
2. Consider your current approach to giving. How can you shift your mindset to view it as an act of worship rather than a duty? [49:56]
3. Identify one area of your life where you feel you could improve your stewardship. What practical steps can you take to manage it more intentionally? [48:03]
4. How can you contribute to your church's mission of spreading the gospel, either through financial support or other means? [54:43]
5. Think about a recent decision you made. How did you consider God's guidance in that decision, and how might you improve this process in the future? [46:06]
6. What legacy of faithfulness do you hope to leave for future generations, and what steps can you take now to work towards that goal? [01:18:46]
7. How can you ensure that your daily decisions reflect a life committed to glorifying God? [46:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing God's Order of Loves
In our lives, we are often faced with competing priorities and responsibilities. The concept of "Ordo Amoris," or the order of loves, teaches us to align our priorities according to God's will. This means placing God first, followed by our families, jobs, and communities. By doing so, we maintain a balanced life that honors Him and prevents the chaos that comes from misaligned priorities. This ordered love is not just a theoretical concept but a practical guide for daily living, helping us to focus on what truly matters and to live in harmony with God's design. [44:15]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where your priorities might be misaligned? How can you reorder your loves to reflect God's will today?
Day 2: Stewardship as a Form of Worship
Stewardship is more than just managing our finances; it is a holistic approach to life that recognizes God's ownership of all we have. Every decision we make is an opportunity to worship God, whether it involves our time, talents, or relationships. By acknowledging that everything we possess is entrusted to us by God, we can make choices that reflect His love and grace. This perspective transforms our daily actions into acts of worship, allowing us to live intentionally and purposefully. [46:06]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent decision you made. How could you have approached it differently if you viewed it as an act of worship to God?
Day 3: Embracing Generosity in Giving
The New Testament encourages us to give offerings as an act of worship, not out of obligation. Our giving should be generous and cheerful, reflecting God's grace in our lives. This generosity supports the church, missions, and those in need, furthering the gospel's reach. By giving with a joyful heart, we participate in God's work and demonstrate our trust in His provision. This approach to giving is not about a specific percentage but about the spirit in which we give, allowing us to experience the joy of partnering with God in His mission. [01:14:57]
"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: Reflect on your current approach to giving. How can you cultivate a more generous and cheerful heart in your offerings?
Day 4: The Call to Discipleship and Denial
True discipleship involves denying ourselves and following Christ wholeheartedly. This means prioritizing God's will over our desires and making decisions that align with His purpose for our lives. Our stewardship is a reflection of our commitment to Him, requiring us to live with intentionality and purpose. By embracing this call to discipleship, we learn to let go of our own ambitions and trust in God's plan, allowing Him to guide our steps and shape our lives according to His will. [47:14]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one desire or ambition you need to surrender to God today? How can you take a step towards denying yourself and following Christ more closely?
Day 5: Building a Legacy of Faithfulness
Our goal is to live a life that honors God, leaving a legacy of faithfulness for future generations. By stewarding our resources wisely and serving God with all we have, we aim to hear "well done" from our Heavenly Father. This involves intentional living and a commitment to glorifying God in all we do. As we navigate our stewardships, we are called to handle everything within our realm of impact with care and intentionality, always seeking God's guidance in how we use our resources. [01:18:46]
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your life leaves a legacy of faithfulness for future generations? How can you intentionally live in a way that glorifies God?
Quotes
"We have a stewardship before God. We have things that are expected of us or things that we have volunteered for, given ourselves to. We have a stewardship over them. So it was a couple of weeks ago that Jeremy and Steve started texting me. And they said, hey, J.D. Vance has been listening to your sermons. And he used a term talking about..." [00:43:35] (30 seconds)
"And that stewardship requires us to consider everything that God has placed into our care and how we handle it. Which brings us to this point, and that is that we need to make decisions every single day. And those decisions are opportunities for us to worship God, every single decision. There is no area where we're exempt from making a decision, even if you want to talk about salvation, because God commands of us that we repent." [00:45:43] (32 seconds)
"Discipleship was never, hey, just say a prayer and you're home free. Let's quick say a prayer. It was, if you want to be my disciple, deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow me. It was the following of Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Christians, I believe this, that everything I have, everything I am, everything I will be, and everything I will have belongs to God, right?" [00:46:36] (30 seconds)
"And we're stewards of it. We take care of it. Like, we're not supposed to just give it all away. That would be a poor stewardship. But we should give it away when we feel compelled by God that it's the right thing. It's the right thing to do. And so we have all this stewardship, things that we're to take care of. And so I kind of took a step back." [00:47:02] (21 seconds)
"Today, we're more in the context of the church, because stewardship goes way beyond church. Church is just one of them, right? So you have your home when you leave here, and you have your jobs, and you've got your money, and you've got your car, and you've got your dog, and your lawn, and everything around you. They're all stewardships. But what about the church?" [00:47:55] (21 seconds)
"Here's the deal with the church. I believe, that the church is the primary organization for the propagation of the gospel. I don't think it's a primary institution. That would be the family. But the primary organization, where households come together with a commonly accepted doctrine and practice, with a care for one another, with prayers, and with remembering communion, and breaking of bread, all of those things that the church does, we come together in a common sense, households coming together." [00:48:16] (35 seconds)
"Offerings are a better way to describe the New Testament teaching on giving. So, I'm going to ask you to turn to a few verses. Don't worry about the babies. We don't worry about babies here, all right? Don't even worry about it. I didn't even hear her or him. I don't know. That's Amon, by the way. And sorry, Stan, I had to pick on you a little bit." [00:54:14] (24 seconds)
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency and all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor, His righteousness endures forever." [01:14:14] (28 seconds)
"I'm convinced God doesn't give me tons of money because I'd give it all away. I'd be a terrible steward of it. But I do want, with everything I am, everything I have, everything I will be, for God to be glorified, and I want to be able to at least head towards that goal, that statement, well done. I want to do it right, and I want to do it well, and I want God to be pleased. Let's pray." [01:19:22] (27 seconds)
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