Being a Faithful and Wise Steward of God’s Resources

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Sermon Notes:

Understanding Stewardship

Summary

This video delves into the concept of biblical stewardship, framing it not merely as a responsibility but as a significant opportunity bestowed upon every believer in Jesus Christ. It posits that God, as the ultimate owner of all things, appoints individuals as managers or stewards over the resources and opportunities He provides. This management role is not something to aspire to, but rather a divine promotion inherent in accepting Christ. The core message emphasizes that every aspect of our lives, from our homes and possessions to our time and talents, falls under this stewardship. The speaker encourages a shift in perspective, urging listeners to recognize that what they perceive as their own is, in reality, part of God’s estate entrusted to their care. This understanding should shape how individuals interact with their resources, recognizing that they are accountable to God for their management. The narrative draws a parallel with Joseph in the Old Testament, who, despite his circumstances as a slave, was appointed to manage Potiphar’s household and eventually a significant portion of Egypt, illustrating how God entrusts responsibilities and opportunities to those He deems capable. This foundational principle underscores the idea that our earthly possessions and the time we have are not ours to hoard or misuse, but rather tools to be employed faithfully and wisely in service to God’s purposes.

The discourse further elaborates on the essential qualities of a biblical steward, identifying them as faithfulness and wisdom. Faithfulness, in this context, is presented as a tangible expression of our love for God, demonstrated through consistent dedication and care in managing what He has entrusted to us. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, the message highlights that stewards are expected to be found faithful, implying an active and ongoing commitment rather than a passive acceptance of belief. This faithfulness extends to various aspects of Christian life, including consistent church attendance, Bible reading, prayer, and worship. The analogy of keeping lamps burning from Luke 12:35 is used to illustrate the need for an active and alert faith, constantly seeking the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and remaining ready for the Master’s return. The speaker cautions against a stagnant or complacent Christian life, emphasizing that the spiritual journey is dynamic and requires continuous engagement. The enemy, it is suggested, seeks to lull believers into a false sense of inactivity, but the reality is that every moment presents an opportunity to live out our faith and manage God’s resources with diligence. This consistent faithfulness, the message implies, is a prerequisite for greater effectiveness in our stewardship.

Building upon the foundation of faithfulness, the video introduces effectiveness as the second key attribute of a biblical steward. Effectiveness goes beyond mere consistency; it involves actively utilizing the gifts and talents God has bestowed upon each individual to serve others and bring glory to Him. Drawing from 1 Peter 4:10, the message underscores that every believer has received a unique gifting that should be employed for mutual service as good managers of God’s varied grace. Stewardship, therefore, is not just about being responsible but about seizing the opportunity to grow, build, create, and be an effective witness to God’s goodness. The passage from Luke 12:43, where a faithful servant is set over all his master’s possessions, suggests a principle of increasing responsibility based on demonstrated faithfulness. The speaker posits that a lack of effectiveness in one’s life might stem from an incomplete commitment to faithfulness. God, it is argued, does not entrust greater opportunities to those who have not proven themselves faithful with what they have already been given, as He seeks stewards who will not squander their resources but use them wisely.

The final aspect of biblical stewardship discussed is readiness. This concept ties back to the initial verses in Luke 12, where Jesus instructs His disciples to stay dressed for action and keep their lamps burning, like servants awaiting their master’s return. Readiness implies a state of constant preparedness for the opportunities to serve and manage God’s resources effectively, as well as for the eventual return of Christ. The entire discourse culminates in the understanding that believers are called to live in the tension between Christ’s first coming and His second coming, using the time and resources available to them to be faithful and effective stewards of God’s estate. This involves recognizing God’s ownership of everything, embracing the role of a manager, cultivating faithfulness in all aspects of life, actively using one’s gifts for service, and maintaining a state of readiness for future opportunities and the Lord’s return. The series titled “Manager” aims to unpack these principles further, guiding believers in understanding and living out their calling as faithful and wise stewards in God’s kingdom.

Quote: “Who then is the faithful and wise manager whom his master will set over his household to give them their portion of food at the proper time.”¹

Key Scriptures

Luke 12:42: This verse defines the ideal servant as a faithful and wise manager, entrusted with the responsibility of providing for the master’s household at the appropriate time, highlighting the importance of both loyalty and prudence in stewardship. View NIV
Psalm 24:1: This scripture declares that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord, establishing God as the ultimate owner and humanity as stewards of His creation. View NIV
Genesis 1:1: This foundational verse states that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, reinforcing His role as the origin and owner of all existence. View NIV
John 1:1: This verse introduces Jesus as the Word who was in the beginning with God and was God, emphasizing His divine nature and involvement in creation, thus solidifying God’s ultimate authority over all things. View NIV
1 Corinthians 10:26: Quoting Psalm 24:1, Paul reiterates that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, providing a theological basis for the concept of God’s ownership and our role as stewards. View NIV
Psalm 50:10: This verse illustrates God’s comprehensive ownership by stating that every beast of the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him, emphasizing the vastness of His dominion. View NIV
Job 41:11: Here, God rhetorically asks who has given to Him that He should repay, asserting His self-sufficiency and ultimate ownership of everything under heaven. View NIV
1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Paul instructs believers to regard them as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries, emphasizing that faithfulness is a fundamental requirement of a steward. View NIV
1 Peter 4:10: This verse encourages believers to use their God-given gifts to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace, highlighting the active and communal aspect of stewardship. View NIV
Luke 12:35: Jesus exhorts His followers to be ready for action and keep their lamps burning, likening them to servants awaiting their master’s return, emphasizing the need for constant preparedness and vigilance in their faith. View NIV

Key Takeaways

Every believer is called to be a manager or steward of God’s resources and opportunities.
God owns everything, and we are entrusted with managing a portion of His estate.
Biblical stewardship involves both faithfulness and effectiveness in handling what God has given us.
Faithfulness is demonstrated through consistent dedication in various aspects of Christian life.
Effectiveness involves actively using our gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God.
Stewardship is not just a responsibility but also a significant opportunity for growth and impact.
God often gives more responsibility to those who have proven faithful with what they have.
Maintaining a state of readiness is crucial for fulfilling our role as stewards.
Our time and resources are valuable tools to be used wisely in service to God.
Consistency in our spiritual disciplines is vital for effective stewardship.

Questions To Consider

How does the understanding that God owns everything change the way I view and use my possessions, time, and talents?
In what specific areas of my life can I demonstrate greater faithfulness as a steward of what God has entrusted to me?
How can I identify and more effectively utilize my God-given gifts and talents to serve others and bring glory to God?
What does it practically mean for me to “stay dressed for action and keep my lamp burning” in my daily life as a believer?
Are there opportunities for greater stewardship in my life that I have overlooked or not yet embraced, and what steps can I take to pursue them?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before you acknowledging that everything I have and everything I am comes from you. Help me to truly grasp that I am a steward of your abundant resources, not an owner. I ask for your guidance to be faithful in managing the time, the talents, and the possessions you have entrusted to me. Strengthen my resolve to be consistent in my walk with you, to diligently study your Word, to fervently pray, and to actively participate in worship. Lord, ignite within me a burning desire to use my gifts effectively, to serve others with love and excellence, and to be a witness to your goodness in all that I do. May I always be ready to seize opportunities to honor you and advance your kingdom. Help me to live in a state of constant preparedness for your return, knowing that one day I will give an account of my stewardship. Transform me, Lord, to be more like Christ, reflecting your heart and your ways in how I manage every aspect of my life, so that through me, others may see your glory. Amen.

Action Steps

1: Reflect on God’s Ownership

Task 1: Acknowledge Divine Ownership

Step 1: Find a quiet place where you can focus without distractions.
Step 2: Spend 10-15 minutes meditating on the verses that declare God’s ownership (Psalm 24:1, Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 10:26, Psalm 50:10, Job 41:11).
Step 3: Write down three things you consider “yours” and then reframe them as things God has entrusted to your care.

Task 2: Evaluate Your Perspective

Step 1: Consider how your current perspective on your possessions and time aligns with the idea of stewardship.
Step 2: Identify one area where your thinking might need to shift from ownership to management.
Step 3: Pray for a change in perspective and a deeper understanding of your role as a steward.

2: Cultivate Faithfulness

Task 1: Assess Your Consistency

Step 1: Reflect on your consistency in key spiritual disciplines: Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, and service.
Step 2: Identify one area where you can commit to greater consistency in the coming week.
Step 3: Create a simple plan to implement this commitment (e.g., set a specific time for Bible reading, schedule regular prayer times).

Task 2: Seek the Holy Spirit’s Fire

Step 1: Consciously ask the Holy Spirit each day to ignite your faith and provide inspiration.
Step 2: Be open to noticing God’s presence in the Word, in creation, or through other people.
Step 3: Journal any insights or moments of inspiration to encourage your faith.

3: Pursue Effectiveness

Task 1: Identify Your Gifts

Step 1: Reflect on your talents, skills, and passions. What do you enjoy doing and what are you good at?
Step 2: Consider how these gifts might be used to serve others and bring glory to God (refer to 1 Peter 4:10).
Step 3: If you are unsure, ask trusted friends or mentors to help you identify your strengths.

Task 2: Seek Opportunities to Serve

Step 1: Explore opportunities to use your gifts within your church or community.
Step 2: Commit to one specific way you can serve in the near future.
Step 3: Take the initiative to get involved and use your abilities to make a positive impact.

4: Practice Readiness

Task 1: Maintain an Alert Posture

Step 1: Be mindful of the opportunities that arise each day to live out your faith and manage God’s resources.
Step 2: Pray for discernment to recognize these opportunities and the courage to act on them.
Step 3: Regularly reflect on whether you are living with a sense of anticipation for Christ’s return.

Task 2: Review and Adjust

Step 1: At the end of each week, review how well you have acted as a faithful and effective steward.
Step 2: Identify any areas where you need to make adjustments or improvements.
Step 3: Continue to seek God’s guidance and strength in fulfilling your role as a manager of His estate.

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Conclusion

The journey of biblical stewardship, as illuminated by this message, calls every believer to a profound understanding of their role in God’s kingdom. We are not owners but managers, entrusted with the care of God’s vast resources and the opportunities He provides. The twin pillars of this stewardship are faithfulness and effectiveness. Faithfulness demands consistency in our devotion and diligent care in managing what we have been given, while effectiveness requires the active and purposeful use of our gifts to serve others and glorify God. This understanding shifts our perspective from one of personal entitlement to one of divine responsibility and privilege. By embracing our role as stewards, we align ourselves with God’s purposes, becoming active participants in His work in the world. The call to readiness further underscores the urgency and importance of living intentionally, always prepared to serve and to give an account of our stewardship. As we cultivate faithfulness, pursue effectiveness, and maintain a posture of readiness, we step into the fullness of our calling, impacting the world around us and reflecting the heart of the ultimate Owner of all.

Test Your Understanding

According to the video, every believer in Jesus is called to be a ________ or steward.
Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the ________ thereof.”
A biblical steward is described as both ________ and wise.
Effectiveness in stewardship involves using our ________ and talents to serve others.
Jesus tells his disciples to “Stay dressed for ________ and keep your lamps burning.”

Solution

manager
fullness
faithful
gifts
action

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