Stewardship-Faith by Hearing the Word

By Mike Little

James tells us we can see our faith by our actions only! Romans 10:17 has always struck me as a weird statement, but as I studied in preparation for this book of devotions, I began to see what was being taught. First, we must listen to the word, study it, let it fill us, and only then we can gain faith by applying it. My wife asked me back in June to write a book of devotions on Stewardship. As I thought about the individual ones I would write, each became a devotion about how and where I had failed to progress in faith. Take this journey with me to see what we need to do to be more attuned to God's will for us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mike Little
• Release date: Nov 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310404948

Mike Little

30 years as buyer with IBM.15 years as patient specialist with Duke.Been writing since third grade in school, but I have published my first e-book on Smashwords and I have one documentary available at Amazon(Northgate Park/Park View Church Partnership). I have published 12 additional books on Smashwords and am working on a 14th one now.

Book preview

Stewardship

Michael C. Little

Smashwords Edition

Copyright November, 2013

Table of Contents

Introduction

Money

Time

Gifts

Talents

Genetics

Land

Water

Resources

Church Building - Temple

Church Members

Love

Joy

Peace

Experiences

Feelings

Patience

Potential

Positive Thoughts

Knowledge

Passion

Possessions

Faith

Christ's Salvation

Bible – Word

Jesus' Teachings

Reputation

Past

Manners

Honesty

Goodness

Skills

Introduction

Stewardship (I Peter 4:10)

Luke 6:38

Affirmation: I follow Jesus where He leads me in stewardship. I accept His gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly, and return them with increase to the Lord.

What is this stewardship we will be studying? Protecting material and human resources while using them responsibly are excellent definition of a steward or a manager. A steward must also seek to give generously of time, talent, abilities, and treasures.

What then is Christian stewardship? This demands a higher expectation; if one is a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, he or she is automatically a disciple reaching for maturity. A mature disciple makes a conscious decision to follow Jesus—regardless of the personal cost. This decision causes a conversion or life changing event of mind and heart and a commitment of self to the Lord. This stewardship change shapes and molds our understanding of lives and how the disciple lives.

Christian disciples and stewards recognize God as the creator of life, giver of true freedom and peace, and as the source of all things. The disciple is anxious to use and share the gifts from God. The disciple also looks to the life and teachings of Jesus and His Word for all guidance in life.

Since God is the creator and source of all things, humans have been entrusted with caring for and cultivating the world accordingly:

1. Sincere appreciation for the beauty and wonder of nature.

2. Protection and preservation of this environment.

3. Respect for all human life, and

4. Development of this world through human effort.

Being a disciple one must recognizer that God does not give a group call, but He gives an individual call. Each of us has a unique call or vocation from which we respond to the call. Just like being a follower leads to discipleship and discipleship to conversion, the converted are called to association with a church body. The converted must be active beneficiaries and work with God in their own redemption and that of others. The continuation of redemption is the central mission of the church body.

All church members have their own roles to play:

1. Parents to nurture

2. Administrators to lead

3. Caretakers to deacon

4. Pastors and teachers to shepherd

5. Members to build community of faith and service in local ministries

6. Members to support with time, money, prayer, and service both the local and conference programs.

There are many obstacles to stewardship but the primary one is the secular culture prevalent today that contradicts religion and the true meaning of life. This culture encourages a focus on self and temporary pleasure. The struggle against selfishness and greed forces the disciple to fully understand stewardship.

This understanding comes when the life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. To do so we must daily pray for Christian stewardship in all we say and do.

Money – Financial Stewardship

Luke 19:12-27

Affirmation: I accept what opportunities God entrusts to me and will show profit for God's kingdom on them today.

Let's begin our study of stewardship with the key ingredient of proving ourselves as disciples—what do I do with my money? A steward is one given the task of managing wealth or property that does not belong to him. He should manage it in the best interests and per the stated wishes of the owner. Financial stewardship relates to much more than money so let's look first at a couple of simple exercises.

A builder can not begin a home until he has a print. A trucker can not begin a move without a map. An electrician can not begin wiring without his schematic. A dentist will not start work on teeth without an x-ray. An author can not begin a story until he has a plot. A minister can not begin a sermon without his Word. A disciple can not disciple without a plan of action. Goals of any kind can not be reached unless plans and objectives are put in place. See if you can think of any seat of the pants job that will only achieve more than marginal success.

When I set goals I always think FISHES. Setting goals for any future endeavor demands a re-evaluation and proper prioritization of all my goals. These six areas are Family, Intelligence, Social, Health, Economic, and Spiritual. These six elements are the sum total of all goals anyone can set.

Financial or economic stewardship is simply managing the money that God puts in our trust. Read the scripture for today and notice the insights:

1. God owns everything

2. God gives us what He knows we can handle

3. God expects profit

4. God blesses us based on this profit

5. God punishes a lack of profit

Based on the parable contained in this little story, let's look at the insights I have mentioned:

God designed, created, and owns everything. By the same token God owns all that we have: jobs, businesses, money, investments, houses; down to our bodies, relationships, and minds. We, like the first man Adam, are simply managers and care-takers of the portion of His richness entrusted to us individually.

God has given to us based on what He knows we can manage. We might doubt it, but He knows. Often, we think we could handle even more, but we have to trust He knows the best timing. God has more for each of us after we have proven ourselves over time. Of course, bear in mind that He will expect more from us. Be careful complaining about your present responsibilities.

Notice in the test that the master gave money, in particular, with an expectation of profit from what was given each. Neither the master nor God tells the servants how to increase his money; the details are left to the wise judgment of the servant! Understand that the instruction is to be profitable with the money in our trust.

It is critical to God's plan for us to realize that spending money in consumer goods (cloths, cars, jewelry, entertainment, eating out, and vacations) do not produce profit. Investing in assets produce profit! Limit consumer spending to keep assets up.

God will bless us here bases on our profits. The master blessed the profitable servants based on what they had accomplished with what he gave them. God promises to bless us