CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP

                                            A Lesson for all Christians

Intro. When we become children of God, we are giving our self to God, to follow Christ and obey him. We also yield all we have to God for his the glory. God has given us many things that we appreciate: life, abilities, time, homes, money. God has given us all things to enjoy. But when we give our whole self to God, we realize that all we have belongs to God also, and we are to use it in a way that pleases him. We are stewards, or caretakers of all we have. Here we want to see what the Scriptures teach us about this subject.

1. God is the owner of all things.

Scripture: The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all who live in it; for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2

Question: Why does the Psalmist say that everything belongs to God?

2. When God made Adam and Eve, he made them to rule over everything on earth, and placed them in the Garden to take care of things.

Scripture: The God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all creatures that move along the ground.” The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to take care of it. Genesis 1:26; 2:15

Question: Who then owns the wildlife and the garden? What was Adam’s relationship to God when God put him in charge of all things? Was he owner?

3. A steward is one who is given charge over possessions.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30.

A. The man who went on a journey gave money to some servants for them to make use of it so that it would make more money until he returns. He expected a profit.

B. When he returned, he asked them to give account for it.

C. He rewarded the men who had prospered, whether they were given a lot, or less.

D. He was not happy with the man who had least, and did NOTHING with it.

E. Whether we have received a lot from God, or a little, we are fully responsible to God for how we use it. It BELONGS to him, he ENTRUSTED us with it. He EXPECTED us to do something with it.

4. We are stewards of God over all we have.
   1. Stewards of our wealth Compare Luke 12:16-21 with Luke 12:33-34

How does Jesus teach that we should use our wealth?

2. Stewards of our Talents and abilities

Scripture: Each one should use what ever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks he should do it as speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things, God may be praised. I Peter 4:10-11.

What other gifts and talents do we have that we can use as God desires?

3. Stewards of our time.

Scripture: Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (or making the most of your time) Ephesians 5:16

Question: What are some good uses of our time and what are some poor uses of our time?

4. Stewards of the Gospel

Scripture: So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who are given a trust must prove faithful. I Corinthians 4:1-2

God wants the good news of Jesus shared, not kept to ourselves.

5. Stewards of our bodies

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you have been bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

Question: What are some wrong uses of our body, and how should we use it rightly?

Review Questions:

What is a steward?

Why are we just stewards and not fully owners of every thing we have?