Intro: Was stewardship made up by the early ministers of the church? Did they merely preach it to fill the coffers or offering plates? Is stewardship simply the way that pastors and other “ministers” multiply their earnings? Many of you know that is not the case. However there may be as much misunderstanding about stewardship as these questions portray. I have heard it said that some people don’t come to church because “they” the church or pastor are always asking for money.
Stewardship goes far beyond money. Money can be a very good indicator of stewardship but if all we worry about is our wallets then we have missed the main teaching of stewardship. Jesus did speak more about money than anything other than hell. Possibly Jesus’ greatest statement on stewardship is this “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12.34
Paul here in Colossians is refuting a false teaching in his time. He is dealing with those that say Jesus is not divine. In Paul’s teaching we find the spiritual seed of stewardship. It is from this seed that all the other growth of stewardship takes place.
Where did stewardship begin? Genesis 1.27-38 “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
From the beginning of creation man was placed under God’s authority and given responsibility. That responsibility was to be a caretaker of the resources God had provided.
For us today where does the spiritual seed of stewardship begin?
I. The Perfect Picture
Colossians 1.15a (read)
A) The exact representation of God
Paul is very directly and abruptly saying Jesus is God. Jesus is the clear and complete picture of the invisible God. We as human beings are made in the image of God. However, we are not the exact image of God. We have intellect, emotion, and will. We have rational personalities, well some of us do.
Jesus did not become the image of God when He was born of a virgin. Before Abraham was I am. He has always been the exact representation of the invisible God. When Jesus walked down the streets of Jerusalem he perfectly portrayed God’s justice, judgment, love, forgiveness, compassion, anger and hatred of sin.
The seed of stewardship is planted when we recognize Jesus for who He really is the preexistent God.
B) The exalted rank of Jesus
Colossians 1.15b (read)
Paul is deflating and defeating a false teaching that is taking place at the Colossian church. Arians of the 4th century and Jehovah’s Witnesses today use this verse to support the false teaching that Jesus is just another created being. The word in the Greek does not merely stand for first born in time. The term translated first born here means rank or position. Esau was born first physically but Jacob received the rights and rank of firstborn. David was eighth in order of time as a son of Jesse but God made him firstborn according to Psalm 89.87.
God talks about making David the firstborn the highest of all the kings of the earth. This is speaking of the rank of Jesus. Jesus is ranked above all creation. He is supreme. He is of first importance and priority.
Jesus is not one among many priorities that can be shuffled when needed He is the supreme priority of life! Where does Jesus rank in your life?
If all the people you know where to rank Jesus on a scale of 1 to 10 as the priority of your life where would they rank Him for you?
The seed of stewardship is planted when Christ has supreme first place in our lives.
II. The Primary Principle
A) Jesus is creator of all things
Colossians 1.16a (read)
He cannot be a created being because the very power of creation was in Him. Disease departed in His presence, death fled at His word, the waves bowed at His command.
The size and complexity of our universe shows the wisdom, knowledge and power of our creator?
Someone once said, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?
I want to say “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God about you?
1) He knows you
Jeremiah 1.5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you?”
Wow! He knows you every thought, dream, desire, decision. Yes even the ones now! Jesus is not surprised by anything we do. He does not sit in heaven wringing His hands desperate for a way to get you to do what He wants. He not only knows you Jesus knows what is best for you.
2) He knows what is best for you
Sin can be defined as missing God’s mark. It is my opinion it can also be defined this way, sin is thinking you know better than God. Adam and Eve didn’t obey God they knew better than God. Saul did it His way instead of God’s because he knew better than God. You and I have both done it. Don’t touch that stove it’s hot. But we knew better than mom or dad didn’t we? What was the result we get burned. Don’t jump off that you’ll break a bone, but we knew better and broke a bone.
God knows what’s best for us. All throughout the Holy word of God he says don’t do that.
Adrian Rogers said it brilliantly this way,
“God is not some cosmic kill-joy. Every time he says “Thou shalt not.” He’s simply saying, “don’t hurt yourself.” And every time He says, “Thou shalt,” He’s saying “help yourself to happiness.”
What does your daily life say about you? Do you choices, thoughts, decisions, money, and time say, “I know better than God?”
B) Jesus is owner of all things
Colossians 1.16b “all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Have you ever thought of the possessions you have as “yours, ours, theirs.” We are taught as Americans we have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness originally property. But life comes from God and belongs to God. Happiness is found in God. Property is created by God. All that we have and all that we are belongs to God. Doesn’t it amaze you that as owner God could discard us at anytime? Yet he doesn’t even though we act as though we are the masters of our own destiny, Jesus is the true master of all.
C) Jesus is the sustainer of all things
Jesus sustains things visible and invisible. He holds the smallest atomic particle together. He holds the stars and planets in space. Stars that hang on nothing hang at His command.
He makes it to rain on sinners; he allows oxygen to flood the lungs of those who live in unbelief. He grants food to the faithless.
He holds together all things.
III. The practical principle
What should be our response to all that we see Jesus is? We bow to His authority as God. We accept our responsibility as His caretaker of all that He has in love, and grace blessed us with. We cannot merely offer him part of our time, money, abilities, attitudes, we offer all that we are as a living sacrifice to Him Holy and acceptable to Him.
Stewardship is not about percentages it is about principles.
We recognize that Jesus is creator, owner, and sustainer of us and all we have.
How can I know that I have done this?
Jesus is first in your thoughts
Jesus is first in your conversation
Jesus is first in your decisions
Jesus is first in your planning
Jesus is first in your life
1 Corinthians 10.31The principle of all for God’s Glory
Conclusion: Corrie Ten Boom: I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.
Acknowledge Jesus’ Ownership and Lordship of your life
Admit your responsibility as a steward/manager/caretaker to God
Accept your responsibility of managing for the Glory of God
Sharing the Gospel
Giving generously
Using material things
Developing spiritual gifts/ abilities
Building relationships
