Message #2: Principles Of Stewardship Series

Matthew 25:14-30- “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

INTRODUCTION: This MESSAGE SERIES is focusing on the topic of stewardship. Today in Message #2, we are going to look at 3 foundational PRINCIPLES OF STEWARDSHIP that are found in the parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30.

Principal #1 God is the owner and we are the manager (stewards)

Matthew 25:14-19-“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”

What does it mean that God is the owner, and we are the manger?

1. God is the owner of everything

Matthew 25:14-“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.”

Psalm 24:1- The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Haggai 2:8-“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ says the Lord Almighty”

John 1:3- All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

James 1:17- “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.”

Colossians 1:16- “All things were created by him and for him.”

Since God is the owner of everything and He has created all things, this shows us that….

2. Everything we have - has been entrusted to us by God

Matthew 25:14“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.”

a. The words “his goods” or His property

The Greek word used for “property” here in Matthew 25:14 is the same Greek word used to describe “Christ” in Philippians 2:6.