Trusting God: The Key to Financial Stewardship
Summary
In today's sermon, we embarked on a transformative journey, exploring the profound relationship between our trust in God and our financial stewardship. We delved into the biblical principles that guide us to live a life of abundance and godliness, as God has intended for us. We are reminded that God is the orchestrator of all things, including our finances, and when we align our lives with His will, we experience His favor and provision.
We began by acknowledging that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, including our finances. It is not God's desire for us to merely scrape by until we reach heaven; rather, He wants us to thrive and be effective here on Earth. This includes having our finances in order, which is a reflection of our trust in God and our obedience to His word.
We discussed the importance of tithing, not as a burdensome obligation, but as a joyful act of worship and trust in God's provision. Tithing is part of God's plan for our lives and a walk of obedience that unlocks His blessings. We are called to honor the Lord with our wealth and the first fruits of all our produce, trusting that He will fill our barns with plenty.
The sermon also highlighted the significance of stewardship affirmations, recognizing that God is trustworthy, has entrusted us with possessions, opportunities, talents, and time, and that we are trustees of everything He has given us. We are stewards, not owners, and this perspective shifts how we manage the resources God has placed in our care.
Furthermore, we addressed the practical aspects of financial management, including the elimination of credit card debt and the wise use of resources. We were encouraged to take actionable steps to become financially free, understanding that this freedom aligns with the freedom we have in Christ.
Now, let us reflect on the key takeaways from today's message:
1. Trust in God is foundational to every aspect of our lives, including our finances. When we trust Him completely, we unlock the promises of His word, which lead to a life of abundance and peace. Trusting God with our finances is an act of worship and a declaration of our dependence on Him as our ultimate provider. [49:33]
2. Stewardship is not merely about managing resources; it is about recognizing God as the source of all we have. As stewards, we are called to manage God's resources with wisdom and faithfulness, knowing that He has entrusted us with these gifts to further His kingdom and bless others. [52:03]
3. God's care for us is constant and His gifts are generous. We can confidently rely on His provision, for He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. This assurance allows us to live with contentment and generosity, sharing the bountiful blessings He bestows upon us. [54:11]
4. Developing trust in God occurs both in times of adversity and in times of plenty. It is easy to turn to God when we have no other options, but true trust is also demonstrated when we acknowledge Him as our source even when we are experiencing success and abundance. [58:31]
5. Financial freedom is not only possible but is a reflection of our trust in God. By following practical steps to manage our finances wisely, we honor God and position ourselves to be used mightily by Him. Financial discipline is a spiritual discipline that reflects our commitment to God's lordship over every area of our lives. [01:13:06]
In conclusion, let us embrace the truth that our financial well-being is deeply connected to our spiritual well-being. As we trust God and manage our resources according to His principles, we will experience the fullness of life He has designed for us. Let us walk in obedience, stewardship, and trust, knowing that God is faithful to His promises.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 3:1-10 (ESV)
- "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 3:1-2 say will be added to you if you keep God's commandments?
2. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what are we instructed to do with all our heart, and what is the promised result?
3. In Proverbs 3:9-10, what are we told to honor the Lord with, and what is the outcome of doing so?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between trusting God and financial stewardship? [49:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "trust in the Lord with all your heart" in the context of financial stewardship? How might this look in everyday life? [49:33]
2. How does the concept of stewardship in the sermon align with the biblical principle of honoring the Lord with the firstfruits of all your produce? [36:14]
3. The sermon mentions that God's promises are conditional. How does this understanding affect the way we approach God's promises in Proverbs 3:1-10? [50:01]
4. How can the assurance of God's constant care and generous gifts, as mentioned in Hebrews 13:5-6 and Psalm 13:6, influence our financial decisions and trust in God? [53:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust God with your finances. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him in this area? [49:33]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of tithing as an act of worship and trust. How can you incorporate joyful giving into your financial practices? [36:14]
3. Consider the practical steps mentioned in the sermon for managing finances, such as eliminating credit card debt. What is one specific action you can take this week to improve your financial health? [37:07]
4. How can you shift your perspective from being an owner to a steward of the resources God has entrusted to you? What changes might this require in your daily life? [46:28]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of financial freedom as a reflection of our trust in God. What practical steps can you take to achieve financial freedom, and how can this align with your spiritual growth? [01:13:06]
6. How can you cultivate contentment and generosity in your life, knowing that God's care is constant and His gifts are generous? [54:11]
7. Reflect on the idea that trust in God should be developed both in times of adversity and in times of plenty. How can you practice trusting God in your current financial situation, whether it is one of abundance or need? [58:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God with Our Finances
Trust in God is the cornerstone of financial peace and abundance. When individuals place their complete trust in God, they acknowledge Him as the ultimate provider of all their needs. This trust is not passive; it is an active step of faith that involves making God the priority in financial decisions. It is an act of worship that demonstrates reliance on God's promises and His word. Trusting God with finances means seeking His guidance in how to earn, save, spend, and give money. It is about making choices that reflect faith in God's provision and His plans for prosperity and not harm. This trust also involves a willingness to wait on God's timing, recognizing that His ways are higher than human ways and that He knows what is best. Trusting God with finances is a declaration of dependence on Him, acknowledging that everything owned is actually His and is to be used for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
Proverbs 3:5-6, 9-10 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's provision in your current financial decision-making process? [07:40]
Day 2: Stewardship as Godly Management
Stewardship is the faithful management of all that God has entrusted to individuals. It is a profound recognition that everything one has is a gift from God and should be used in a way that honors Him. This includes not only money but also time, talents, and opportunities. Stewardship is about making wise decisions that reflect God's values and purposes. It is about investing in things that have eternal significance and using resources to bless others and further God's kingdom. Being a good steward means being accountable to God for every decision and action, knowing that one day each person will give an account of how they managed what was entrusted to them. Stewardship is a lifestyle that seeks to glorify God in every aspect, including financial matters, and it is a journey of growing in faithfulness and wisdom.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (ESV)
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."
Reflection: In what ways can you improve your stewardship of the resources God has given you? [52:03]
Day 3: Contentment and Generosity
God's care and provision are constants in the lives of believers. His generosity knows no bounds, and He invites His children to live in contentment and share generously with others. Contentment comes from trusting that God will provide for all needs according to His riches in glory. It is an inner peace that does not depend on external circumstances but on the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. Generosity is a natural overflow of contentment and the recognition of God's abundant blessings. It is the joyous act of giving, not out of compulsion or grudging obligation, but out of a heart full of gratitude. Generosity reflects God's own heart and serves as a testimony of His goodness and provision to the world.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: How does recognizing God's constant care in your life inspire you to live more generously? [54:11]
Day 4: Trust in Abundance and Adversity
Developing trust in God is a process that occurs throughout various seasons of life, including both times of abundance and adversity. Trusting God in abundance is acknowledging Him as the source of all success and provision, rather than attributing it to personal effort or merit. It is a humble acceptance that everything good comes from God. In adversity, trust is leaning on God's understanding and strength, knowing that He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Trust in God is not situational but foundational, a steadfast faith that God is good and His love endures forever, regardless of the circumstances.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV)
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where you need to deepen your trust in God, whether in abundance or in adversity? [58:31]
Day 5: Financial Freedom as Spiritual Discipline
Financial freedom is not just a practical goal but also a spiritual one. It reflects a life that is fully entrusted to God, including the area of finances. Achieving financial freedom requires discipline, wisdom, and a commitment to living within one's means. It involves setting goals, creating a budget, eliminating debt, and saving for the future. But beyond the practical steps, financial freedom is about aligning one's financial practices with biblical principles. It is a spiritual discipline that honors God and demonstrates a commitment to His lordship over every area of life. Financial freedom allows individuals to be more available for God's use and to be a blessing to others without the hindrance of financial stress.
Luke 16:10-11 (ESV)
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?"
Reflection: What are the practical steps you can take starting today to work towards financial freedom as an act of spiritual discipline? [01:13:06]
Quotes
1) "We don't have a money problem as much as we have a trust problem. Our money problem isn't as bad as we think, but our trust problem is worse than we thought." [45:38] (Download)
2) "It's amazing that we live in a nation that has the words 'In God we trust' on its currency but very seldom puts their trust in God." [46:28] (Download)
3) "God's care is constant. 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'... That's the reason why when you were laid off from your job that you were still able to make it." [53:24] (Download)
4) "God's gifts are generous... He has an ample supply of whatever you need and will deal it out to you bountifully." [54:51] (Download)
5) "It's hard to live out your purpose, tackle new projects, and align your priorities if your bottom line is not profitable." [38:36] (Download)
6) "I want you to be financially well, so I want to give you five steps to getting rid of credit card debt. Five easy steps you ready for them?" [01:09:35] (Download)
7) "Trust is the most important factor in knowing God and His will for my life and growing His kingdom and myself as a steward." [45:38] (Download)
8) "I believe that when I put the priorities in place, when I put first things first, life will just work for you." [01:17:38] (Download)
9) "I want to help you build some trustworthy thoughts about God... let me tell you something, I want to help you build some trustworthy thoughts about God." [52:41] (Download)
10) "I plan on being alive two and a half years from now, so I started taking care of that debt... I could either do it now or look up two and a half years from now and still be in the same situation." [01:15:13] (Download)
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