Approaching Stewardship Series

Approaching Stewardship

Pastor Eric J. Hanson

August 31st, 2014

What is Stewardship Which Honors God?

Let’s define some terms and frame an understanding now.

Steward: one who manages property belonging to another

Stewardship: the office (the function) of performing management

“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” –I Corinthians 4:1-2

The overriding requirement and qualification for correct stewardship is trustworthiness.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to out likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the Earth.” And God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. –Genesis 1:26-27.

Read the parable of the talents using dollar amounts.

(Note: One talent of silver is worth about $12,000 in 2014.)

Romans 14:10b-13: We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, “As I live says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each shall give account of himself to God.

The whole concept of stewardship goes all the way back to the plan God laid out for mankind in Genesis Chapter one. We human beings are called under God, to govern this planet. Because of sin, we have usually done so very poorly across the Millennia, relying mostly on our own motives and opinions to guide us, as nations, as families, and as individuals.

This limited message today, can not deal with the largest issues of caring for the entire planet and everyone and everything on it. Instead, it will focus in on how proper stewardship, which honors God, relates to the local church congregation, and to the families and homes which make up any congregation.