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Stewardship: Embracing God's Ownership in Our Lives

by Fleming Island United Methodist Church
on Feb 01, 2024

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Stewardship: Embracing God's Ownership in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Ownership

God is the rightful owner of everything we possess, and as stewards, we are entrusted with the care and management of His gifts. This understanding shifts our perspective from one of personal entitlement to one of divine responsibility. Recognizing God's ownership challenges us to evaluate how we use our resources—be it money, time, or talents. It's not merely about being good with what we have; it's about being godly, ensuring that our actions reflect the values and purposes of the One who has given us all. This acknowledgment of God's ownership brings a profound sense of purpose and meaning to our lives, as we realize that every decision we make with what we have been given has eternal significance [49:33].

"‘The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.’ - Psalm 24:1-2"

Reflection: How does acknowledging God as the owner of everything you have change the way you manage your resources today?

Day 2: Holistic Faithful Stewardship

Faithfulness in stewardship extends beyond financial management to every aspect of our lives. It encompasses our time, abilities, relationships, and even our very lives. To live a life that is fully integrated with our faith, we must use all that we are and all that we have for God's glory. This holistic approach to stewardship is not about compartmentalizing our spiritual life from our daily activities but about weaving our faith into the very fabric of our existence. When we do this, our lives become a living testimony to the grace and goodness of God [49:33].

"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

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have not fully surrendered to God's stewardship, and what steps can you take to change that?

Day 3: Generosity as a Reflection of God's Heart

Generosity is a fundamental aspect of faithful stewardship. It is a tangible expression of the heart of God, who gave His Son for us. When we give freely of our resources, we not only break the chains of materialism but also step into the abundance of God's provision. Generosity is not limited to financial giving; it also includes offering our time, talents, and presence to others. This act of giving is a powerful antidote to the self-centeredness that often pervades our culture. It invites us into a richer, more fulfilling experience of community and shared blessings [49:33].

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Reflection: What is one specific way you can practice generosity this week, and how might this act reflect God's generosity to others?

Day 4: Integrity in Stewardship as a Witness

The manner in which we handle our resources is a powerful witness to those around us. Our stewardship can either attract people to Christ or repel them. Therefore, it is crucial that we manage God's gifts with integrity, excellence, and love. These qualities demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. When we live out our faith with authenticity, we offer the world a glimpse of the kingdom of God, where righteousness, peace, and joy prevail [49:33].

"In the same way, 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

Reflection: How can your stewardship of God's resources serve as a witness to someone who does not yet know Christ?

Day 5: Stewardship as Worship and Gratitude

Our stewardship is ultimately a response to the grace we have received from God. Recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him, our management of these resources should be an act of worship. This perspective transforms our daily tasks and decisions into opportunities to express our gratitude and love for our Creator. When we view stewardship as worship, even the most mundane activities can become sacred, imbued with divine purpose and significance [49:33].

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:10-11

Reflection: In what ways can you turn your daily management of resources into an act of worship and gratitude towards God?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truth that God is the ultimate owner of all that we have. We began with a humorous anecdote about a man named Ron, who discovers that the bank has misused his money for personal pleasures. This story served as a parable to illustrate a deeper spiritual lesson about stewardship and trust.

We are often like Ron, feeling entitled to the resources we have accumulated. We see ourselves as the owners, the ones in control of our possessions. However, this perspective is fundamentally flawed. In reality, we are not the owners; we are merely stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Everything we have, from our finances to our talents, is a gift from God. He is the rightful owner, and we are tasked with managing these resources according to His will and purpose.

The parable of Ron and the bank is a stark reminder of the responsibility we carry as stewards. Just as Ron was outraged by the bank's misuse of his money, we must consider how God feels when we misuse what He has entrusted to us. Are we investing our time, talents, and treasures in ways that honor God and further His kingdom? Or are we squandering these gifts on selfish pursuits?

As stewards, we are called to be faithful. Faithfulness in stewardship means recognizing God's ownership and responding with obedience and generosity. It means using our resources to bless others, to spread the gospel, and to make a tangible difference in the world. When we live as faithful stewards, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience the joy of participating in His work.

In conclusion, the story of Ron and the bank is not just a tale of financial mismanagement; it is a metaphor for our spiritual stewardship. We must shift our mindset from one of ownership to one of stewardship, acknowledging that God owns it all. By doing so, we honor God and become vessels through which His blessings flow to others.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable of Ron and the bank, what was Ron's reaction when he found out his money was misused? How does this relate to our stewardship of God's resources? [01:59]
According to the sermon, what is the fundamental flaw in our perspective when we see ourselves as owners rather than stewards? [01:59]
What are some examples given in the sermon of how we might misuse the resources God has entrusted to us? [01:13]
How does the sermon define faithfulness in stewardship? [49:33]

Interpretation Questions

How does Psalm 24:1 challenge our view of ownership and stewardship? What implications does this have for our daily lives?
In 1 Corinthians 4:2, Paul emphasizes the need for faithfulness in those who have been given a trust. How does this align with the sermon's message about stewardship? [49:33]
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 speaks about using what we have been given wisely. How does this parable reinforce the sermon's points about stewardship and faithfulness?
The sermon mentions that generosity is a key component of faithful stewardship. How does this concept of generosity reflect the heart of God, as mentioned in the sermon? [49:33]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current use of time, talents, and treasures. Are there areas where you might be misusing what God has entrusted to you? How can you realign these areas to honor God? [01:59]
Think about a specific resource (time, money, talent) that you have been treating as your own. How can you shift your mindset to see it as something entrusted to you by God? What practical steps can you take to manage it better? [49:33]
Generosity breaks the hold of materialism. Identify one way you can practice generosity this week. How can this act of giving help you live in God's abundance? [49:33]
Consider how your stewardship of resources can serve as a witness to others. What changes can you make to ensure that your actions draw people toward Christ rather than push them away? [49:33]
Reflect on a time when you felt entitled to something you had. How did this sense of ownership affect your actions and attitudes? How can you cultivate a heart of stewardship instead? [01:59]
The sermon suggests that our stewardship is a response to God's grace. How can you use your resources as an act of worship this week? Identify one specific way to express your gratitude and love for God through your stewardship. [49:33]
Faithfulness in stewardship encompasses every aspect of our lives. Choose one area (time, abilities, relationships) where you want to grow in faithfulness. What specific actions will you take to align this area with God's purposes? [49:33]

Sermon Clips

1) "How would you feel if you trusted your money to someone to manage it for you and they mishandled it? That's how I would feel." [01:59] (Download)

2) "We took some of your money and we went on a cruise. Do what? You took my money and you went on a cruise?" [01:13] (Download)

3) "My name is Dave and I like stuff. Hi Dave. Y'all are my support group." [01:13] (Download)

4) "How many of y'all ever needed some stuff? I needed a new car, I needed some new clothes, I needed to go on a cruise." [01:13] (Download)

5) "This position doesn't actually represent you and I, I tricked you. This position represents God, this position doesn't represent a banker, this position represents you and I." [01:59] (Download)

6) "God owns it all." [01:59] (Download)

7) "I want my money now! You mean you stole my money, you needed a cruise? Well, I'm going to choke you." [01:59] (Download)

Please note that the transcript provided was limited, and the quotes selected are based on the content available within the given text.

And so Ron's wife says, "Honey, we need a china cabinet for the china. Go down to the bank and get our money out."

So Ron goes down to the bank, and he goes up to the teller and fills out the deposit slip.

"I want my money out of here," he says.

The teller gets this deer-in-the-headlights look and says, "Oh no, you're that Ron. Did I do something wrong? No, Dustin wants to see you in his office now."

Dustin would never really do this; he's on the front row in church. He's a good guy.

Okay, so this is an example. Please don't pick on him later, because he didn't know I was going to do this to him.

So Ron goes into Dustin's office, and Dustin says, "Oh no, you're here."

"Yeah, I'm here. What's up?"

He said, "Well, I got to tell you, my wife and I needed some stuff. How many of y'all ever needed some stuff? I needed a new car, I needed some new clothes, I needed to go on a cruise. My SEO needed a sister. How many of y'all needed stuff? My name is Dave, and I like stuff. Hi, Dave. Y'all are my support group."

So we took some of your money, and we went on a cruise.

"Do what? You took my money, and you went on a cruise? Do what?"

Now, I don't know about y'all, but it would take me about two seconds to figure out that this char stole my money. As hard as it is to get $1,000, I mean, I'd lose my religion right there.

In Tennessee, we call that having a duck fit.

"I want my money! I want my money now! You mean you stole my money? You needed a cruise? Well, I'm going to choke you!"

How would you feel if you trusted your money to someone to manage it for you, and they mishandled it? How would you feel? That's how I would feel.

Now, let's change their names for a minute. You're going to get a promotion. You ready?

This position doesn't actually represent you, and I tricked you. This position represents God. This position doesn't represent a banker; this position represents you and I. God owns it all.