INTRODUCTION:

  1. A.Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 25:14-30:
    1. 1.Jesus’s story of 3 servants.
    2. 2.Story of “Stewardship”
    3. 3.2 of 3 faithful…prospered.
    4. 4.The 3rd was “cast out.” (Afraid).
  2. B.What, biblically, is a “Steward”?
    1. 1.Steward
    2. 2.Numerous application related to managing:
      1. a.A teacher manages students.
      2. b.A boss manages employees.
      3. c.A politician manages our resources.
      4. d.A banker manages our finances, etc.
      5. e.A physician manages our health care.
      6. f.A parent manages children, etc.
      7. g.A judge manages equity of the law.
  3. C.Biblically, every person, especially Christians, is a steward:
    1. 1.Everything belongs to God by right of creation (Gen. 1-3).
      1. a.
      2. b.
      3. c.
      4. d.
      5. e.
      6. f.Job 40:11, “Everything under heaven belongs to God.”
      7. g.1 Tim. 6:7, 8 “We brought nothing and will leave with nothing.”
  4. 2.We are ALL Stewards:
    1. a.1 Cor. 4:1, 2: “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
    2. b.HOW are we managing that which God has given us?
  5. D.The Apostle Paul’s teaching to the Corinthian Christians:
    1. 1.2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (Read):
    2. 2.2 Corinthians 9:1-15 (Read):
  6. E.Some Traits, expediently speaking, of a good servant-steward:
    1. 1.Committed to honest and accountable service—selfless.
    2. 2.Committed to sustainability—not wasteful.
    3. 3.Committed to making wise decisions and choices.
    4. 4.Committed to biblical innovation and change for growth.
    5. 5.Committed to being a “member and team player.”
    6. 6.Committed to being open and above-board.
    7. 7.Committed first and foremost to Christ and Word.

CONCLUSION:

  1. A.We are living in troublesome times:
    1. 1.Pandemic Corona Virus.
    2. 2.Loss of lives, etc.
    3. 3.Financial losses.
  2. B.The church—members—are facing tough times:
    1. 1.Besides the 3 we’ve just mentioned facing everyone.
    2. 2.The church is facing stewardship issues.
    3. 3.The solution is given by God: “God loves a cheerful giver.”
  3. C.Let’s read and study 1 & 2 Corinthian’s stewardship messages this week.

 

  1. D.Remember Malachi’s question: “Will a man ROB God?” (Mal. 3:8).