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We are God's stewards Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Various Texts January 15th, 2012
Matthew 25:14-30 ESV "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. (15) To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. (16) He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. (17) So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. (18) But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. (19) Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (20) And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' (21) His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' (22) And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' (23) His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' (24) He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, (25) so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' (26) But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? (27) Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. (28) So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. (29) For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (30) And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
INTRO How do we handle our money is a great indicator of other things going on in the heart. The Bible has much to say about it. A common thought is this – “I wish I had money so I could give.” This principle invalidates all of our “if onlys,” such as “If only I made more money, I’d help the poor,” or “If only I had a million dollars, then I’d give it to my church or missions.” If I’m dishonest or selfish in my use of a few dollars, I would be dishonest or selfish in my use of a million dollars. The issue is not what I would do with a million dollars if I had it, but what I am doing with the hundred thousand, ten thousand, or ten dollars I do have. If we are not faithful with what God has already entrusted to us, why should he trust us with any more? Alcorn, Randy (2011-02-21). Managing God's Money (pp. 3-4). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Five Truths Concerning God, Money and Possessions 1. God is the owner and master of all things. Psalms 24:1-2 ESV A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, (2) for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Deuteronomy 10:14 ESV Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. 1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV (19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. John Wesley – “your house has burned to the ground.” “No, the Lord’s house has burned to the ground. One less responsibility.” GOD owns my money. God owns my money. Foundational. 2. God has made each of us a steward of His resources. Genesis 2:15 ESV The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 1:28-29 ESV And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (29) And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Deuteronomy 8:17-18 ESV (17) Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' (18) You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. “Steward” – someone an owner entrusts with the management of his assets. Ownership is key – who owns and who doesn’t. We are given a stewardship. To some He has given much and to some less. But we are responsible to be stewards with the hand that has been dealt to us. 3. As stewards we are called to be faithful to the owner. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 ESV (1) This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (2) Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. Luke 16:10-13 ESV "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (11) If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (12) And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? (13) No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Stewards are to constantly live in light of God’s ownership. A good steward acts in the owner’s best interests. He seeks to know and understand those interests. God reveals them to us in His Word. Mat. 6: 19-21 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 17-19 We should ask – “God, what do you want me to do with your money and possessions?” Wesley’s questions: • In spending this money, am I acting as if I owned it, or am I acting as the Lord’s trustee? • What Scripture passage requires me to spend this money in this way? • Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord? • Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?
Alcorn, Randy (2011-02-21). Managing God's Money (p. 18). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 4. The owner that we are to be faithful to is generous and gracious. 1 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (4) For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 ESV (1) We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, (2) for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. (3) For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, (4) begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-- (5) and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. He does give us good things to enjoy. He delights in us – the OT tithe feasts. 5. The owner will hold us accountable and will richly reward the faithful. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV (6) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (7) Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Matthew 25:21 ESV His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (18) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
CONCLUSION Tithes Free Will offerings Giving to poor and the cause of Christ Note from years ago: - Do not give so we can maintain a building - Do not give just because you like the pastors and you want them to have an income GIVE – because you love the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. When you are getting ready to give the offering – think – “God I love your Gospel” By His grace we (the pastors and elders) are committed to leading you and serving with you in the Gospel. We are committed to preaching it to you and to our community. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Gospel is the message that declares the glory of God in Jesus on the Christ. The Gospel is the good news of salvation. The Gospel is why we are here today and why we have a bright future. The Gospel is our only hope. Without the Gospel we are wasting our time. We need to be committed to the Gospel.
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