Stewardship Is Gratitude Series

NUTS AND BOLTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP

STEWARDSHIP IS GRATITUDE

PROPOSITION: That we would all understand that stewardship as a follower of Christ flows from an attitude of gratitude towards God and His work in our lives!

Proverbs 3:1-10 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

INTRODUCTION: Dr. A. L. Barry writes, “When we catch the vision of Christian stewardship that flows from a Christ-centered and Gospel-centered understanding of God’s Word, we are able to put issues of our wealth and possessions in proper perspective. They are not “ends “but “means.”They are the means by which our Lord provides for our needs and the means by which He permits us to join hands with fellow believers in supporting generously the work of the church in reaching out with the message of forgiveness, life and salvation in Christ. … Because of what Christ has done, we are called to lives of Christian stewardship—lives that reflect the glory of God. Christian stewards are privileged by God to live their lives in grateful praise and thanksgiving to God, reflecting this marvelous truth from God’s almighty Spirit-filled Word:”

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich”(2 Cor.8:9).

I. THE BELIEVER’S OBJECT IN GRATITUDE IS TO INCORPORATE GOD’S WORD – PROV. 3:1-4

A. INCORPORATING GOD’S WORD IS HEARING GOD’S WORD

1. THE WORD FORGET MEANS TO IGNORE OR WITHER

2. WHEN WE THINK OF HEARING GOD’S TEACHING, WE NEED TO THINK IN TERMS OF NEGLECT.

3. NOT HEARING IS NOT ONLY LIMITED TO THE ABSENCE OF SOMETHING, BUT ALSO THE NEGLECT OF REFUSING TO DEAL WITH WHAT WE HEAR.

4. IN EFFECT WE ARE IGNORING WHAT WE HAVE HEARD

5. IN EFFECT WE ARE ALLOWING WHAT WE HAVE HEARD TO WITHER OR DIE!

Job 8:11-13 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? 12 While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. 13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.

a. TO FORGET (NOT HEAR, REFUSE TO HEAR) THE WORD OF GOD HAS A PROFOUND EFFECT ON OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION

b. IT HAS THE SAME AFFECT ON US AS THOUGH WE WERE AS THE UNGODLY

c. NOT IN REALITY, BUT IN PERCEPTION

NOW I KNOW THAT NO ONE WHO CALL CHRIST HIS SAVIOR AND LORD WANTS TO ACT AND LOOK LIKE THOSE WHO DO NOT, BUT WHEN WE DO NOT HEAD TO THE WORD OF GOD WE ARE PERCEIVED BY THOSE AROUND US AS NO DIFFERENT THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR.

IS THAT REALLY THE KIND OF BELIEVER YOU WANT TO BE – CARNAL, AND WORLDLY LOOKING.

Romans 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

The context is Paul speaking to believers about the Holy Spirit and warning them as to their activity.

B. INCORPORATING GOD’S WORD IS ACCEPTING GOD’S WORD

1. WE ARE TO BIND THEM ON AROUND OUR NECK FOR THE TEACHING OF GOD IS AN EXPRESSION OF HIS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS TO US.

2. THINGS WE BIND AROUND OUR NECK

a. THINGS THAT ARE PRECIOUS TO US

b. THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US

C. INCORPORATING GOD’S WORD IS ENGRAVING GOD’S WORD

1. ON THE HEART

2. PERMANENCE

3. WHERE THEY WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE A MAN FROM THE INSIDE OUT, NOT JUST RESTRAIN HIS ACTION FROM THE OUTSIDE IN!

II. THE BELIEVER’S TRIAL IN GRATITUDE IS TO TRUST – PROV. 3:5-7

A. TRUST GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART

1. WHERE MY INTELLIGENCE AND DISCERNMENT LIES

2. GOD IS COMPLETELY TRUSTWORTHY – HE CANNOT GO AGAINST HIS NATURE!

B. PROPPING OURSELVES UP WITH OURSELVES

1. THE INTENT OF LEANING ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING

2. WISE IN OUR OWN EYES