Stewardship: Managing God's Resources with Faith and Intentionality
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound concept of stewardship, emphasizing that everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His resources. We began by acknowledging God's presence and the peace, healing, and restoration that come with it. We declared healing over various aspects of life, from physical ailments to emotional burdens, and reminded ourselves that God is continuously at work in our lives.
Reflecting on Jeremiah 29, we discussed the importance of waiting on God's appointed time for His plans to come to fruition. The Israelites' 70 years in Babylon were a period of growth and preparation, teaching us not to despise our current circumstances, as God is working through them. We are encouraged to wait upon the Lord, trusting that His plans and purposes will come to pass.
We explored the vision of our church, which is to help people acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. This requires intentionality in our spiritual walk, relationships, and daily lives. We discussed the importance of keeping our spiritual "tank" full through regular devotion, prayer, and worship, and the necessity of observing the Sabbath to refresh and renew ourselves.
The sermon introduced stewardship as a core value, highlighting that it involves managing God's resources with integrity and responsibility. We examined the qualities of a good steward, such as fearing God, being truthful, and hating covetousness. We are called to steward everything in our lives, including our finances, health, family, mind, time, and gifts. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and prepare to give an account of our stewardship.
In conclusion, we are reminded that stewardship is not about ownership but about managing what God has entrusted to us. As we strive to be good stewards, we are encouraged to use our resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Presence Brings Healing and Restoration: In God's presence, there is peace, healing, and restoration. We are encouraged to declare healing over our lives and trust in God's power to move mountains and bring about change in our circumstances. This requires faith and a willingness to wait on God's timing. [31:19]
2. Waiting on God's Timing: The story of the Israelites in Babylon teaches us the importance of waiting on God's appointed time. Even in difficult circumstances, God is working for our good. We must trust in His plans and purposes, knowing that they will come to pass in His perfect timing. [35:35]
3. Intentional Living and Spiritual Growth: Our church's vision is to help people acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. This requires intentionality in our spiritual practices, relationships, and daily lives. By keeping our spiritual "tank" full, we can navigate life's challenges with strength and resilience. [38:47]
4. The Qualities of a Good Steward: Stewardship involves managing God's resources with integrity and responsibility. A good steward fears God, is truthful, and hates covetousness. By embodying these qualities, we can effectively manage what God has entrusted to us and prepare to give an account of our stewardship. [53:04]
5. Stewarding All Aspects of Life: We are called to steward everything in our lives, including our finances, health, family, mind, time, and gifts. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and prepare to give an account of our stewardship. This involves using our resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom. [01:08:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [31:19] - Declaring Healing and Restoration
- [32:44] - God's Work in Our Lives
- [33:36] - Trusting God's Timing
- [34:32] - Lessons from Jeremiah
- [35:35] - Stories of Faith in Captivity
- [36:16] - God's Purpose and Plan
- [37:04] - Renewing Strength in Waiting
- [38:47] - Church Vision and Intentional Living
- [41:21] - Core Values and Intentionality
- [42:51] - Keeping Your Tank Full
- [43:25] - Observing the Sabbath
- [44:53] - Celebrating and Honoring Moments
- [46:07] - Generosity and Authenticity
- [47:34] - Introduction to Stewardship
- [48:39] - Lessons from Exodus 18
- [52:16] - Hearing God and Stewardship
- [53:04] - Qualities of a Good Steward
- [56:05] - Ownership vs. Stewardship
- [58:33] - Everything Belongs to God
- [01:00:11] - Parable of the Talents
- [01:02:39] - Faithful Stewardship
- [01:03:42] - Managing What We Have
- [01:04:18] - Fear and Stewardship
- [01:05:49] - Accountability in Stewardship
- [01:07:16] - Expectation of Increase
- [01:08:01] - Unprofitable Servant
- [01:08:49] - Stewarding Everything
- [01:09:43] - Growing in Ability
- [01:10:41] - Areas of Stewardship
- [01:12:00] - Stewarding Finances
- [01:15:43] - Teaching on Giving
- [01:17:08] - Obedience in Tithing
- [01:18:21] - Financial Stewardship
- [01:19:14] - Stewarding Our Bodies
- [01:20:11] - Health and Well-being
- [01:21:11] - Stewarding Family and Relationships
- [01:22:15] - Balancing Family and Ministry
- [01:24:08] - Prioritizing Family Time
- [01:25:28] - Stewarding the Mind
- [01:26:49] - Mental Health and Stewardship
- [01:27:42] - Stewarding Time Wisely
- [01:28:37] - Teaching Kids Stewardship
- [01:30:12] - Stewarding Gifts and Talents
- [01:31:18] - Using Resources for God's Kingdom
- [01:32:39] - Reflecting on Stewardship
- [01:35:26] - Prayer for Stewardship
- [01:36:12] - Announcements and Generosity
- [01:37:01] - Operation Christmas Child
- [01:38:49] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Stewardship
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 29:10-14
- Exodus 18:19-21
- Matthew 25:14-30
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Observation Questions:
1. In Jeremiah 29, what was the significance of the 70 years in Babylon for the Israelites, and how does this relate to the concept of waiting on God's timing? [34:32]
2. According to Exodus 18, what advice did Jethro give to Moses about managing the people, and what qualities did he suggest were important for leaders? [49:54]
3. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, what were the different responses of the servants to the resources entrusted to them, and what was the outcome for each? [01:00:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between ownership and stewardship, and what biblical evidence supports this view? [56:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the Israelites in Babylon illustrate the importance of trusting in God's timing, even when circumstances seem unfavorable? [35:35]
2. What does the advice from Jethro to Moses in Exodus 18 teach us about the importance of delegation and empowering others in leadership roles? [49:54]
3. In the parable of the talents, what does the master's response to each servant reveal about God's expectations for how we manage what He has entrusted to us? [01:02:39]
4. How does the sermon challenge the common perception of ownership, and what implications does this have for how we view our possessions and responsibilities? [56:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God's timing. How did you handle the waiting period, and what did you learn from it? [35:35]
2. Consider the areas of your life where you are in a leadership position. How can you apply Jethro's advice to Moses to better delegate and empower others? [49:54]
3. Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not being a good steward. What steps can you take this week to improve your stewardship in that area? [01:08:49]
4. How can you shift your mindset from ownership to stewardship in your daily life? What practical changes can you make to reflect this shift? [56:05]
5. Think about your current financial habits. Are there any changes you need to make to align with the biblical principle of stewardship? How can you start implementing those changes? [01:12:00]
6. In what ways can you use your gifts and talents to serve others and advance God's kingdom? Identify one specific action you can take this week to do so. [01:28:37]
7. How can you ensure that your spiritual "tank" remains full? What specific practices can you incorporate into your routine to maintain spiritual health and resilience? [42:51]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence as a Source of Healing and Peace
In the presence of God, there is a profound sense of peace, healing, and restoration. This truth invites us to declare healing over our lives, trusting in God's power to transform our circumstances. Whether we face physical ailments or emotional burdens, God's presence offers a refuge and a promise of renewal. It requires faith and patience, as we wait on God's timing to bring about the change we seek. By embracing this truth, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives, allowing His peace to permeate every aspect of our being. [31:19]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you need healing or peace. How can you invite God's presence into this situation today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
The story of the Israelites in Babylon serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of waiting on God's appointed time. Despite their challenging circumstances, God was at work, preparing them for a future filled with hope and purpose. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's plans, even when they seem delayed or unclear. By embracing patience and faith, we align ourselves with God's perfect timing, knowing that His purposes will ultimately prevail. In moments of uncertainty, we are called to lean on God's promises, confident that He is working for our good. [35:35]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you are waiting for God's timing. How can you cultivate patience and trust in His plan today?
Day 3: Intentional Living and Spiritual Growth
Living intentionally requires a commitment to acknowledging, trusting, and leaning on God daily. This involves cultivating spiritual practices that keep our "tank" full, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with resilience. By prioritizing regular devotion, prayer, and worship, we strengthen our relationship with God and align our lives with His purposes. Observing the Sabbath and taking time to refresh and renew ourselves are essential components of this intentional living. As we grow spiritually, we become better equipped to face the demands of daily life, drawing strength from our connection with God. [38:47]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What specific spiritual practice can you commit to this week to keep your spiritual "tank" full?
Day 4: Embracing the Qualities of a Good Steward
Stewardship is about managing God's resources with integrity and responsibility. A good steward is characterized by a fear of God, truthfulness, and a disdain for covetousness. By embodying these qualities, we effectively manage what God has entrusted to us, preparing to give an account of our stewardship. This involves a conscious effort to align our actions with God's will, using our resources to bless others and advance His kingdom. As we embrace these qualities, we become faithful stewards, honoring God with our lives and resources. [53:04]
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can improve your stewardship. What steps can you take to manage this area with greater integrity and responsibility?
Day 5: Stewarding All Aspects of Life
We are called to steward every aspect of our lives, including our finances, health, family, mind, time, and gifts. This holistic approach to stewardship aligns us with God's will and prepares us to give an account of our stewardship. By using our resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom, we fulfill our role as faithful stewards. This requires intentionality and a commitment to managing all that God has entrusted to us with care and diligence. As we steward our lives well, we reflect God's love and generosity to the world around us. [01:08:49]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Consider how you are stewarding your time, talents, and resources. What is one practical way you can use these to bless others and further God's kingdom this week?
Quotes
Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:
1. "In this that you're seeing right now, and you do not understand, wait upon the Lord, because he does have a plan. He does have a purpose. And it will come to pass. So don't give up. Don't surrender. Don't quit. Don't cut down the tree. Because it's going to grow. Amen." [36:32] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The vision of 3W Church is to get people to a place where they will acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. We daily need God. We daily need God. to acknowledge him, to trust on him, and to lean on him. I need him daily, and I can see the difference on the days where I get caught up with stuff, or something happens, and you start getting physically, mentally, emotionally exhausted, and you haven't spent the amount of time with God that you needed, and you start feeling the difference." [37:41] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to be intentional, because I can look at the broken clock in my room and be like, oh yeah, you know what? Twice a day, it's right, or I can get a battery out, put it inside, and have it keep time. Intentional. We need to be intentional in our walk with God. We need to be intentional in our relationship with our spouse. We need to be intentional in our relationship with our children. We need to be intentional, and one of the things the Lord really stirred on me, and I would almost use the word rebuked me on, was that I had not, as the pastor of this church, been extra intentional on building what are the values." [40:08] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to steward our body, our health. We need to steward our family. My wife is God's and she is God's. She is God's. She is God's. She is God's. She is God's. She has entrusted her to me. I manage our relationship. I pastor my home. My children are entrusted to me by God." [82:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The brain is an organ, and there is nothing wrong with you seeing a licensed therapist, preferably a Christian one that was going to root you in the Word of God, to discuss and have conversations and talk. Because mental illness is real, and mental health is important. We need to strip the stigma." [85:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Stewardship is what everything will rise or fall on. Are we stewarding our finances and our health? Are we stewarding our finances and our health? Are we stewarding our families and our time? Are we stewarding our mind and our thoughts? Are we stewarding our giftings and our talents? Are we stewarding it well?" [89:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We steward everything because we don't own it. We steward it. I actually want you to say this morning with me, I am a steward. Again, I am a steward. I am a steward. We steward what has been entrusted to us." [68:52] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We are stewards of it. We manage that which actually belongs to God. So I'm going to read you two passages in Psalms. Go to Psalm chapter 24. Psalm chapter 24. Then we're going to go to Psalm chapter 50. Psalm chapter 24, verse number one. Now go with David writes here in Psalm 24, one inspired by the Holy Spirit. Remember different men and wrote the Bible in pen or not pen, but they penned the Bible, but the Holy Spirit inspired it. And David writes this, the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and the nations that dwell." [95:57] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We need to steward the gifts. Stewardship is what everything will rise or fall on. Are we stewarding our finances and our health? Are we stewarding our finances and our health? Are we stewarding our families and our time? Are we stewarding our mind and our thoughts? Are we stewarding our giftings and our talents? Are we stewarding it well? Because if we don't steward it well, we will not be able to increase and have more." [89:30] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And I want you just to take a moment and get right with God. If you have not been stewarding your finances right, if you haven't been stewarding your family right, if you haven't been stewarding your health right, just take a moment and say, God, I understand. I don't own it. It's yours. And I'm sorry for not treating well what belonged to you. And I make covenant with you to steward it better, God." [92:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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