Stewardship-A Question Of Ultimate Trust Series

- I want to begin this week with the ULTIMATE QUESTION OF TRUST

- I believe how we manage or steward our lives is really a matter of Trust: Learning to trust God.

- Stewardship isn’t about how God raises money; it’s about raising children.

- God has brought home to me again and again how TRUST is the key issue to walking successfully in his purposes.

As I watched the fires sweep through the many areas of Southern California this week, it stirred a number of sad feelings, as I’m sure it did for you

- I felt sad at the amount of loss

- I wondered about friends who might be in those areas

- I was inspired about some of the human efforts to help

But also, as I stared at the ruins of so much investment, and it stood as a sobering reminder that, ALL THAT WE BUILD IN THIS LIFE WILL COME TO AN END.

Raises the question:

- What is really secure?

- What do we ultimately trust in?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

1. CONSIDER YOUR LIFE’S INVESTMENT

- Came across this modern version of the bedtime prayer…

YUPPIES’ PRAYER (From the Washington Post)

“Now I lay me down to sleep,/ I pray my Cuisinart to keep,/ I pray my stocks are on the rise,/ And that my analyst is wise,/ That all the wine I sip is white,/ And that my hot tub’s watertight./ That racquetball won’t get too tough,/ That all my sushi’s fresh enough./ I pray my cordless phone still works,/ That my career won’t lose is perks./ My microwave won’t radiate,/ My condo won’t depreciate./ I pray my health club doesn’t close,/ And that my money market grows./ If I go broke before I wake,/ I pray my Volvo they won’t take.”

- IN TRUTH, WE ALL HAVE INVESTMENTS ON EARTH THAT WE CAN WORRY ABOUT.

- What Jesus is saying is that he agrees with the old line ‘What you see is what you get.’

- So, he says, BE CLEAR ON WHAT YOU SEE.

- Jesus is saying, in particular, look at the permanence of your life investments, as he notes how vulnerable they are

o Moths—In the east, part of one’s wealth consisted in fine and elaborate clothes

o Rust—better translated ‘eating away’ and likely referred to the mice and rats and rot that got into the corn and grain stored away.

o Thieves—who can break in and steal

- The things of this world are not great as primary investments

- Not to say they are bad; they’re fine to serve a function, but their value always diminishes.

- Not only true of things, but pursuits (i.e. Sports, Positions)

- Fine as interests, but not your life’s investment

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? (II Peter 3:8-10)

- No luggage racks on a hearse.

- Jesus goes on to say “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

2. CHOOSE THAT WHICH WILL REMAIN

- Dr. Anthony Campolo tells about a sociological study in which fifty people over the age of ninety-five were asked one question: "If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?" It was an open-ended question, and a multiplicity of answers came from these eldest of senior citizens. However, three answers constantly reemerged and dominated the results of the study. These three answers were:

o If I had it to do over again, I would reflect more.

o . If I had it to do over again, I would risk more.

o . If I had it to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.

- Actually a most basic principle of consumerism

o Get things that will last, whether clothes, appliances, or carpeting