A Transformed Life - A Stewardship Message

Jesus shares an important truth with us in the Gospel of Luke: BIBLE "Who of you by being worried ....can add a single hour ....to their life?" END

Aren't most of the struggles of this life, ......especially when viewed in hindsight, ......nothing more ....than an inconvenience? (Pause)

Throughout our marriage ......when Lee and I as a couple or as a family would face struggles;

Lee would always bring them back into perspective ....and say ......"They are only an Inconvenience."

And in truth .....they are!

Beloved, .....We live through the struggles of life; .....we grow through the struggles ....of life.

And hopefully .....we learn through the struggles of life .....that they are no more than ...... an inconvenience.

Once we experience them, ......Once we go through them ......we become .....empowered.

We realize ....that we will live through those situations .....if we are called to face them .... Once again. (Pause)

A student squeezes in line in front of you at a high school football game, ......that's not a problem .....that's only ......an inconvenience.

Someone takes a parking space that you are about to pull into, ......that's not a problem .....that's only ...... an inconvenience? .....Now help me here!

You have a flat tire while driving to the airport .....and you are going to miss your flight; ....that's only ...... an inconvenience.

While on vacation celebrating 30 years of marriage ......you end up in a hospital in Mexico ......with a bill for $1,700.00 U.S. Dollars.

That's not a problem that's only ......an inconvenience.

The Dow falls, .....you lose over 50% of the value of your stock holdings, ......the company you work for is going bankrupt...... and you will probably lose your house and your job, ...... that's only .......

Yes Beloved, that too ...... is only an inconvenience (Long Pause).

I remember very clearly a conversation with my grandfather ......when he was in the hospital ......dying of cancer.

He said ......"Jeffy, ....all the other problems I faced in life ......were nothing..... compared to this;

I would give up all my money; .......I would give up all the things that I own ......to only .......have my health back. (Pause)

I had the opportunity to pray with my grandfather in the hospital .....a few days before he died. (Pause)

Yes, .....even death itself .....is only an inconvenience .....to those who know Christ ......as their Savior ....and their Lord." (Pause)

If we are honest, ......most of the situations ......that we become most anxious about, ......are also the ones...... that we have little or no control over; much like these uncertain times .....that the world is facing ....today.

And we are all facing individually, ..... as families, ....as a nation ...... and as a Church.

Yet these too Beloved ... are only an inconvenience. (Pause)

We are called to be good stewards ....of all that God gives us ......and to bring to Him .....our lives, ....our tithes .....and our offerings.

In fact in Malachi God says: BIBLE "Test me now on this," .....bring me your titles and offerings ....and see "if I will not open the windows of heaven ....and pour out for you a blessing .....until it overflows." END

This truth .... This promise.....is filled with so much spiritual power .... So much so.....that God says .....Test me on this (Pause).

We are called to be ......good stewards.

Yet so often ....we do not seem to trust him.

Yet so often .....we do not take him ....at his word.

So what do we do..... Well....we hold back.. (Long Pause)

Being a good steward .....reminds me of the Stewardship campaigns ....that our church in Ohio would have annually.

Yes, Once a year ....we would have a door to door campaign .....and discuss tithing ...and finances.

Is tithing an important part of our Christian walk?

Of course it is.

But....Quite honestly.... the tithe is just a mile stone...... not a destination.

For we are told in the Scriptures ....to bring our tithes.... And our offerings.... Before the Lord.

So what motivates us.... What leads us ....to move in Faith .....to be willing ....to trust God .... To be good stewards of our time our talents and our biblical giving?

Is it a once a year ......door to door .....Stewardship campaign?

Maybe that engages some..... but .....I do not believe .....that would work for me.

When I think of stewardship .......it brings to mind a story about a small Anglican Church ......located in a farming community.

The Priest would call on every member of the congregation .......as a part of .....the annual stewardship campaign.

The next home that he was going to visit ......was that of farmer Brown.

Now,... Mr. Brown .....was known in the community .....to be very frugal with his finances, .....if you know what I mean.

The Priest asked farmer Brown, ....."If you inherited two million dollars would you give $200,000 to the church"?