STEWARDSHIP


A. "AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED THE GIFT, EVEN SO MINISTER THE SAME TO ANOTHER, AS GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD." - 1 Pet. 4:10
  1. A prayerful study of the Word of God reveals to us:
    1. That all things, including ourselves, belong to God - Ps. 50:7-12
    2. Said David to the Lord, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory . . . Both riches and honor come of thee . . . for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee" - 1 Chron. 29:11-14
  2. That being true, it follows:
    1. That we are but stewards of the manifold blessings we think we possess.
    2. This makes this subject worthy of prayerful consideration by all who have in trust the Master's goods.
B. CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
  1. Let us note, briefly, some of the implications of our subject on the Christian stewardship:
    1. Our Lord gave strong emphasis to man's stewardship -
      1. The parable of the talents - Matt. 25:14-30
      2. The story of the unjust steward - Luke 16:1-8
      3. The keepers of their Master's vineyard - Matt. 21:33- 46
    2. The apostles, too, emphasized faithfulness in that which has been committed to us as stewards of the manifold grace of God - Tit. 1:2; 1 Cor. 4:1, 2
  2. Stewardship and its meaning:
    1. One entrusted with the care and supervision of his master's goods is a steward - EXAMPLES -
      1. Joseph was Potiphar's steward - Gen. 41:40
      2. David told the Lord of our stewardship - 1 Chron. 29:11-14
    2. The distribution of the pounds by the master to his servants - Luke 19:13-25
    3. The spiritual gifts, divided to the believers by the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor. 12:1-28
    4. The Bible instructions on tithes and offerings all show that, at best, we are stewards of the manifold grace of God.
  3. Emphasis of the purpose of our stewardship:
    1. Negatively - not to be lavished upon ourselves as did Nabal - 1 Sam. 25:3-39, and as did the rich young ruler - Matt. 19:16-22
    2. The divine intent is that we minister the gifts unto others - 1 Pet. 4:10 as did Cornelius - Acts 10:2, and as the Lord spoke of Abraham - Gen. 12:1-3
C. TITHES AND OFFERINGS ARE THE BIBLICAL KEYS TO TRUE AND FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
  1. Our tithe - "all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's; it is holy unto the Lord": Num. 27:30
    1. It was so recognized by the Patriarchs - Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-7; Gen. 28:22
    2. Our Lord gave strong emphasis to faithfulness in and with our tithe - Matt. 23:23; Luke 16:1-12
    3. Paul, too, shows the divine design of our tithe - 1 Cor. 9:1-14
  2. Our offering differs from our tithes:
    1. Our tithes belong to the Lord by right - Mal. 3:8-11
    2. Our offering is a gift of special gratitude toward the Lord who has enabled us to gain material and spiritual blessings.
    3. We present them to the Lord as a love gift in humble gratitude.
  3. Blessings of faithfulness in our stewardship:
    1. It will save us from the sin of covetousness. Compare Isa. 14:12-14 with 1 Ki. 21:1-15; Josh. 6:17; 7:1; 2 Sam. 11:1-21
    2. It will save us from dishonesty - Acts 5:1-11
    3. It will make us Godlike in unselfishness; that is the aim of the grace of God.
    4. It will bring blessings to us, materially and spiritually - Mal. 3:8-11
    5. Faithfulness in our stewardship will be rewarded, not only in this world but also in the world to come - Matt. 25:31-34
    6. Let us pray that we may have wisdom and grace to know how to use the gifts of God to bring blessings to the cause of God and glory to the giver of all good gifts - Jas. 1:17


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