Understanding Biblical Stewardship Series

DATE: May 6, 2001

TEXT: Matthew 25:14-30

THEME: "Understanding Biblical Stewardship"

INTRODUCTION

BODY

I. STEWARDSHIP IS A RECOGNITION

A. That we are servants of God – doulouv, slaves, idiouv we belong to Him.

B. That everything belongs to God “entrusted his property” (v. 14) Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 104:24 “the earth is full of your creatures,” I Chron. 29:11 “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.” Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the LORD Almighty.”

C. Everything that we possess is a gift from God “he gave” (v. 15); “received” (v. 16, 18) Deut. 8:18 ”But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth….”

D. That God has given us a sacred trust – entrusted, paredwken i.e. “to give over into (one’s) power to use, to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage”

II. STEWARDSHIP IS RECEPTION – What have we received in trust from God

A. Our Souls (Rom. 14:9-12)

B. Our Bodies Rom. 14:7-8 “For none of us lives to himself alone and none us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the LORD; and if we die, we die to the LORD; So whether we live or die, we belong to the LORD. I Cor. 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

II Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of

Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things

done while in the body, whether good or bad.

C. Our World Gen. 1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."; 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. I.e. “ a loving, caring sustaining keeping”

D. Our Material Substance “property” – possessions, goods wealth; “talent” (1 talent = $1000.00 us). I Chron. 29:14 ”But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

E. Our Gifts and Abilities (Rom. 12:3-8)

F. Our Potential “according to his ability” dunamis ”power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature”

III. STEWARDSHIP IS A RESPONSIBILITY

A. "his money” (vv. 16,17), "his master’s money" (v. 18), “your talent, what belongs to you" (v. 25)

B. “entrusted” (v. 14)

C. Faithful, put you in charge, etc.

IV. STEWARDSHIP REQUIRES ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

A. He returned and settled accounts (vv. 19ff). Luke 16:2 “Give an account of your management….” Rom. 14:12

B. You should have (vv. 24-27) Failure to act was not acceptable

CONCLUSION

I. Summary & Conclusion