“He’s given us everything, these gifts find their source in Jesus, so if they are not ours to own, then how are we to steward them… How are we practically to steward the life He’s given us?
Our best example of the stewardship of a life is Jesus: 1 Peter 2:21-25
“follow in His steps” – one author understand that phrase like this: “That we should follow him, as if we trod exactly along behind him, and should place our feet precisely where his were. The meaning is, that there should be the closest imitation or resemblance.”
• We need to lead lives that run from sin, that are honest, that turned the other cheek, that loves when hated, that trust in God’s justice… I would also submit that His example and our following is to touch every portion of our lives… 1 Corinthians 11:1
So what does His word tell us about our Talents and Money?
We’re to steward our talents in the light of God’s desires and for His glory… 1 Peter 4:10-11
Our gifts need to be employed for the Lord that God would be glorified through our serving, gifts and ministering… Jesus lived for the glory of the Father…
Don’t let your gifts noticed, or not, go untouched and undeveloped… In the Lord’s timing lean into those natural gifts, developing that gift…
We need to have a word of caution with our gifts…
• When the gift becomes our god and not the giver of the gift we need to watch out…
• When we eagerly receive the praise that is due our Creator we need to watch out…
• When the gift becomes priority and not Christ we need to watch out…
Sometimes we look at talents as our thing, but they’re truly the Lords, and we need to give them back to Him and steward the gifts well…
We’re to steward our money in the light of God’s desires…
Are we generous? Are we givers?
Malachi 3:10
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Galatians 6:6, 10
God clearly calls us to generosity but 10% is only the start. God’s desire for how we steward our money goes beyond tithe and offering…
Proverbs 6:10-11
Proverbs 11:15
Proverbs 13:11
Proverbs 15:16-17
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 30:7-9
“Just enough is as good as a feast”… guard your heart against allowing your financial situation to define God within your heart…
Our money matters to God, but we must watch out that money, and the love of it doesn’t take over our lives…
Matthew 6:22-24
Money must not be our god…
Where our treasure is there is our heart… Money is a test of our character…
If we’re trusting in our money to save us, we’re leaning on a weak rod…
Proverbs 11:4, 26
God is calling us, as stewards of His gifts, to follow the example of Christ… That our talents and abilities would be expressed to the glory of the Lord…
That in our finances, we would be faithful in tithe and offering, generous to others, wise in our stewardship of our monies, and that it would not become our god…”