172. Stewardship

172. Stewardship

172

STEWARDSHIP Matthew 25:14-30;Luke 16:1-2

INTRODUCTION Steward, one who has the oversight of another’s property: as a house, land, money or work. l. ALL THINGS BELONG TO GOD (1 Corinthians 10:26) 1. Principl e of law and ju stice- at least a part of the increase belongs to owner .

2. Christian stewards-must use God’s property to make increase for him.

3. To use and consume property is not stewardship-must be used and consumed for God. (Matthew 25:14.) 4. God wants man to use enough for food , clothing , shelter and other necessities of life.

5. To accompli sh good.

II. A FALSE CONCEPTION OF STEWARDSHIP 1. To accumulate wealth for self only is not stewardship.

(a) This thwarts God’s purpose. (b) Begets love for money. (1 Timothy 6:10.) (c) This a root of all kinds of evil-violates basic principle of stewardship .

2. Selfish distribution of wealth not stewardship.

3. Warnings against false uses.

(a) Deceitfulness of riches. (Matthew 13:22.) (b) "Riches are a snare." (1 Timothy 6:9.) (c) A wrong use of riches condemned.

4. A steward must acknowledge owner’s rights.

III. WORSHIP IN STEWARDSHIP 1. Worship an obligation to God.

2. True worship acknowledges God’s sovereignty.

(a) Our songs praise his supremacy. (b) Prayers acknowledge his power. (c) Sermons, his greatness.

3. Giving acknowledges God’s claim upon us.

4. Man drifted into paganism because he neglected to worship God in giving-failed to acknowledge God’s supremacy over his working.

5. The worshipper is the steward-not the church.

6. We are stewards in his kingdom. (1 Corinthians 4:2.)