A. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN STEWARDSHIP?
1. Everything. Stewardship is our management of God-given resources (time, talent and treasure) for God-given goals.
2. All people. “Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear . . . learn . . . fear . . . and observe” (Deut. 31:12).
3. All resources. Invest our physical strength, money, things, possessions, talents, intellect, and emotions.
4. All time. We are responsible to use all our time for God’s glory.
5. Stewardship education is an everywhere and all-time experience.
B. PARTNERSHIP LIVING/PARTNERSHIP GIVING
1. The meaning of life is found in relationships. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart . . . soul . . . mind . . . and thy neighbor as thy self” (Matt. 22:37, 39).
2. Husband and wife partnership with each other. “They shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).
3. Children partnership with the family. “Surely thou art my bone and flesh” (Gen. 29:14).
Father is the leader.
Mother is the manager.
Children are the learners.
4. What holds secular families together?
a. Selfish pursuits.
b. Enjoyment.
c. Money.
d. Perpetuity.
e. Family traditions.
f. Things.
C. THE GLUE OF CHRISTIAN FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
1. God is the owner of everything we have (Matthew 25:14-15). A businessman gave different assets to 3 different employees, i.e., five, two and one. Each was to use the assets and give them back to the owner.
2. God gives us resources according to His choice and our ability. “To every man according to his several ability” (25:15).
3. God expects us to manage well what He gives us. The resources are given for our use, enjoyment, advancement, protection, etc.
4. We must trust God’s rules and live by them. “Went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents” (25:16). “Went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money” (25:18).
5. God has the right to check up on everything. “The lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them” (25:19).
God has rights.
We have responsibilities.
6. Every spending decision is a spiritual decision.
a. All your money belongs to God; He allows you to use it.
b. All money you spend is for His purpose/glory.
c. The Lord should control every spending decision.
7. God uses possessions/money to teach us about His kingdom.
a. How you handle opportunities determines your relationship to the Kingdom. “Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things” (25:21).
b. You suffer when you don’t handle money well. “You wicked and lazy servant! . . . take the money from this servant . . .” (25:26, 28).
8. Use money to learn how to follow God.
a. When Mom and Dad give in obedience to God, they grow in faith.
b. When children learn Christian principles of handling money, they grow in character.
Character is habitually doing the right thing in the right way.
D. CREATING FAMILY PARTNERS WITH GOD
1. You partner with God through the new birth. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become the children of God” (James 1:12).
2. You partner with those who love you and God. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
3. You partner with those who do the right thing. “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them” (John 13:17).
4. You partner with those who do God’s work. “We are laborers together with God” (I Cor. 3:9).
5. You partner with God when you meet His conditions. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
