Living Generously Part II
Series: The Ultimate Lifestyle
April 27, 2008 Pastor Bill Bump
Stewardship is the responsibility of managing some assets or property of someone else’s.
I. Principles of stewardship:
A. The first principle is this: God owns everything.
Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 24:1 (NLT)
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NLT)
“Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to become rich…”
B. The second principle of stewardship is this: God created man and woman to be the managers of His creation.
Genesis 1:28 (NCV)
God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing on the earth.”
C. The third principle of stewardship is this: God holds every person accountable.
I Corinthians 4:2 (NLT)
Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful…
D. The fourth principle of stewardship is this: God desires equal commitment not equal contribution.
Mark 12:42-44 (NLT)
Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. Jesus called his disciples to Him and said, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
E. The fifth principle of stewardship is this: God blesses the giver in proportionate measure.
Luke 6:38 (NLT)
“If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
II. Stewardship, when we get down to it, is simply partnership with God.
I Corinthians 3:9 (GN)
For we are partners working together for God…
III. The benefits of stewardship:
A. Immediate benefit: Our fulfillment will be in proportion to our faithfulness in the stewardship to which God has appointed us.
B. Future benefit: Our rewards in eternity.
Romans 14:12 (GN)
Every one of us, then, will have to give an account of ourselves to God.
IV. Our response to the job God has given us as stewards:
Deuteronomy 8:17,18 (GN)
“So then, you must never think that you have made yourself wealthy by your own power and strength. Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to become rich.”
Deuteronomy 14:22,23 (NCV)
“Be sure to save one-tenth of all your crops...Do this so that you will learn to respect the Lord your God always.”
