FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP, the path of responsible living

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP

The path of responsible living

INTRODUCTION:

Stewardship is everything in the Christian race. Created to inherit the earth, a property that is not of any man to keep, but to make the best use of in the fulfillment of God’s purpose for man and at the expiration leave behind for the next generation.

We are called to understand that the Lord’s is the earth and the fullness thereof, the worlds and all its people. Psa. 24:1. And that the heaven of heavens belong to our God, but the earth has he given to the children of men to tame and exercise dominion and control.      Psa. 115:16, Gen. 2:15, Gen. 1:28.

It is God’s desire that man should occupy the material universe with the body of flesh, and make wise and responsible use of all that He shall entrust into his hands spiritually, physically and material to the uttermost fulfillment of God’s purpose on the earth. A man has nothing to gain from fulfilling his own desires, but in fulfilling God’s purpose is much assurance of great gain and eternal life as a reward for our faithfulness with the temporal things of this present life.

Knowing then that we do not have anything, it is important to find out why the owner of all things entrusted these things into our care and how we can make the best use of them and please the one who entrusted us with them and stand a chance of receiving more.      1Cor. 4:1-2.

DEFINITION:

Faithful stewardship is the wise and selfless use of the gifts and resources that God has entrusted unto us.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

The aim of the study include:

1.       To learn the principles upon which faithfulness in our stewardship is based.

2.       To understand the lifestyle that will aid a Christian to be faithful in his entrusted responsibilities.

3.       How to discover and make faithful use of our spiritual and material gifts from God. Eph. 4:8, Rom. 12:3-8.

4.       To assess the areas of our stewardship in the body of Christ. 1Cor. 12:12-27.

5.       To take a more diligent look of our stewardship of our salvation as a gift from God. Eph. 6:17.

6.       The faithful stewardship of our time and opportunities. Eph. 5:15-16.

7.       To understand the ways to deal faithfully with the treasures that God has committed into our care. Prov. 3:9

8.       To understand how to be faithful with our body, (the temple of the Holy Spirit), the gift of God for us to dwell in the universe. 1Cor. 6:19-20.

9.       The faithful stewardship of the earth and all created things which God has committed into our care. Gen. 2:15.

10.    Finally the blessing (benefits) that are reserved for those who are found faithful in the handling of the things that God has committed into their hands for His purpose on earth. Matt. 25:21.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES:

Luke 12:34-48, luke 19: 13, Rom. 12: 6-8, 1Cor. 4:1-2, Rom.14:12.

MEMORY VERSE:

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  1 Cor 4:2

LESSON 1

PRINCIPLES OF FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP

1.       God is the owner of everything in the world including us. Gen. 1:1, Psalm 24:1

2.       Believers are God’s management company over His resources.     Gen. 2:15,  1Cor. 6:19-20, 1Cor. 4:1-2.

3.       Stewardship is a responsibility with accountability. Isa. 43:6, Lk. 16:2, Rom. 14:12

4.       Stewardship demands commitment to others (Masters). Using God’s resources to do something that benefits others on God’s behalf. 1Cor. 10:24,33, Phil. 2:4-7.

5.       Stewardship has eternal consequences. The way we manage temporal things qualifies us for eternal things. Phil. 4:17, Lk. 16:11.

6.       Stewardship involves a wise and selfless use of life as a gift from God intended to accomplish God’s mission on the earth. Heb. 13:17, Matt. 28:19-20.

7.       Faithful stewardship involves the ever readiness to serve. 1Kgs. 18:46, 2Kgs. 4:29, Eph. 6:14, 1Pet.1:13, Matt. 25:1-13.

LESSON 2

BIBLICAL PRECONDITIONS FOR FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP

1.       Live a righteous life. Prov. 22:4, Matt. 6:33, Psa. 37:3-4.

2.       Prayerful life. Jas. 5:16, Matt. 7:7-8.

3.       A diligent life. Prov. 10:16, 12:11,13:4. Psa. 1:3.

4.       A giving life. Lk. 6:38, Mal.3:10, Exod.35:20-29, 1Chron. 29:2, Phil. 4:10, Acts 4:32-37.

5.       A disciplined life. Prov. 15:16, Phil. 4:11-12, 1Tim6:6.

6.       A discerning life. 2Kgs 4:9-10

LESSON 3

AREAS OF REQUIRED FAITHFULNESS

1.       In the stewardship of our gifts and talents. Rom. 12:3-8.

2.       In the stewardship of our body. Rom. 12:1-2, 2Cor. 5:10.

3.       In the stewardship of our time and opportunities. Eph. 5:15-16.

4.       In the stewardship of our treasures. 1Chron, 29:14.

5.       In the stewardship of our faith and testimonies. 1Pet. 3:15.

6.       In the stewardship of the earth and creation. Gen. 1:28, Psalm 115:16.

7.       In the stewardship of our families and people under our care. 1Tim. 5:8.

8.       In our calling and walk with God. Num.12:7.

LESSON 4

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS .  Eph. 4:8

It is very important for the individual to understand the free gifts of God, his given talents as well as his learned abilities. One must note that one person can occupy a combination of many gift, as God desires for him for use in fulfilling purpose.

1.       Prayerfully seek to discover your spiritual gifts for use in your calling. Lk. 11:10,13.

2.       Find your gifts within these gifts of the Holy Spirit:

a)      Apostle

b)      Discernment of spirit

c)       Exhortation

d)      Evangelism

e)      Healing

f)       Giving

g)      Tongues

h)      Interpretation of tongues

i)        Administration

j)        Prophecy

k)      Miracles

l)        Faith

m)    Pastors

n)      Teaching

o)      Showing mercy

p)      Helps

q)      Prayer.

Rom. 12:6-8, 1Cor. 12:8-10, Eph. 4:11.

3.       Exercise your gifts and put them to use in order to know your strength. 1Pet. 4:11.

4.       Employ your gifts in serving one another. 1Pet. 4:10. Acts 5:12.

LESSON 5

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF OUR SALVATION AND FAITH. Eph. 6:17, 1Cor. 4:1-2.

1.       We must daily examine our lives individually in line with the word of God. 2Cor. 13:5.

2.       We must earnestly contend for the faith. Jud.3, 1Tim. 1:19, 2Tim.4:7.

3.       We must share our faith through positive evangelism. Rom. 1:14-17, Rom. 10:17.

4.       Reconcile others to Christ. 2Cor. 5:20, John 17:17.

5.       Know what you believe (through study of the Word and renewal of your mind). 1Pet. 3:15, Col. 4:5-6, 1John 5:11-13.

6.       Share positive testimonies to encourage men to come into the faith. 1John 1:3.

7.       Use your experience to bring others to Christ. Mark 5:1-20.

8.       We must defend the Bible and the truth of God’s Word at all cost. 2Tim. 3:15-16, Psalm 119:105, Josh. 1:8, Jer. 15:16.

LESSON 6

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

We are members of the body of Christ responsible for her care and sustenance.              1Cor. 12:12-27.

1.       We must love, care, and bear one another’s burden. Acts 2:42-45, Gal.:5:13,6:2.

2.       We must initiate relationships, reaching out to the unreached and striving for the conversion of the unconverted. Matt. 5:43-48.

3.       Pray for the leaders in the Church. Col. 4:2-4, Eph. 6:19-20.

4.       Submit to one another out of reference to Christ. Eph. 5:21.

5.       Forgive each other. Col. 3:12-13, Eph. 4:1-3, 1Cor. 13:6.

6.       Spend time with one another to encourage them. Heb. 10:24-25.

7.       Encourage the fellowship of the brethren. Psa. 133:1-3.

LESSON 7

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES

Time is the pattern into which we fit God’s purpose. Eph. 5:15-16.

1.       Our time is a gift from God and is more valuable than money. Eccl. 3:13, Psalm 90:12, John 12:23, 13:1.

2.       Our time is the framework within which opportunities reside. Eccl. 3:1-8, 11. Prov. 27:23-27, John 2:4, 7:6, 8:20. There is a time for character formation, a time for education and training, a time for apprenticeship, a time for productivity and a time for counsel.

3.       Our time and opportunities can be robbed by time killers. E.g.

a)      Unnecessary/ unfruitful activities e.g. TV, phone, idleness, etc. 2Thes. 3:10-11.

b)      Procrastination = work habit of the lazy. Prov. 6:6-11, 10:5, 19:15, 10:4, 12:24, 20:4

4.       Our time can be redeemed and opportunities seized by faithful steward acts of prioritizing after the example of Jesus Christ.

a)      Time with God. Psa. 25:14-15, Mark 1:31-35.

b)      Time with spouse. Eph. 5:22-23, Mark 6:46, Lk. 4:16, 6:12.

c)       Time with family and children.  Deut.6:7, Eph. 6:4.

d)      Church. Heb. 10:25.

e)      Work. 2Thes. 3:10-12, John 9:4-5.

f)       Time for those under your care and ministry. Gal. 5:13.

g)      Personal growth. 2Cor. 13:5, Mark 6:31-32.

h)      Rest and recreation. Gen. 49:15, 1Cor. 6:19-20.

5.       A faithful steward must have a sense of urgency about his work and ministry. John 4:30-36, John 9:4-5.

6.       Our lives is numbered by our days not our years. Psa. 90:12, Eph. 5:15-16.

7.       Our time can be lengthened or reduced by the way we make use of it. Prov. 9:11, 10:27, 11:19, 13:3

LESSON 8

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TREASURES . Prov. 3:9

We must know that everything we have is as a result of God’s goodness and not the result of our effort. John 3:27, Jas.1:17, Deut. 8:18, Prov. 23:4-5, Prov. 28:19-20, Eccl. 5:10-12.

You cannot hold unto God’s money and resources and watch God’s business suffer lack and want. Lev. 27:30-32, Num. 8:24-28, Deut. 12:6-17.

1.       We must give our tithes to God. Gen. 14:20, Gen. 28:22, Lev.27:30, Mal. 3:7-12.

2.       We must be willing to offer to support the work of God according to the blessings that God has left in our custody. Lev. 1:2-3, 1Chron. 28:9,14,  2Cor. 9:7.

3.       Make wise and effective use of the remaining 90%.

a)      Taking care of our families. 1Tim. 5:8

b)      Give to charity and those in need. Prov. 19:17, Matt. 25:34-40.

c)       Invest wisely and prepare for retirement. Matt. 25:14-30, Prov. 21:20,13:11, 30:24-24.

d)      Do not waste God’s resources. Prov. 18:9, 21:20.

e)      Give generously. Prov. 3:9-10, 11:24-25, Mal.3:10.

4.       We must be faithful in the stewardship of our houses, cars, landed properties, clothes, jewelleries, etc.

5.       Be contented. Phil. 4:11-13, Heb. 13:5-6, 1Tim. 6:9-10.

LESSON 9

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF OUR BODY   . 2Cor.5:10.

1.       Our bodies are to be instruments of righteousness to God. Rom. 6:12-14, Rom.12:1-2.

2.       Our bodies are the members of Christ. 1Cor. 6:12-18.

3.       Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor. 6:19-20.

4.       Our bodies are to be vessels unto honor. 1Thes. 4:3-8, 2Tim. 2:19-22.

5.       We must always consult with and consider the Holy Spirit, the second person in our body in everything we do, say, and everywhere we go. Eph. 4:29, Isa. 63:9-10.

LESSON 10

FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION (OUR ENVIRONMENT). Psa. 115:16.

1.       The earth is entrusted to man to live for a while and then handover to the next generation. Psa. 115:16, Gen. 2:15.

2.       The earth is our Father’s property to protect. Psa. 24:1, Exod. 9:29, Job. 41:11.

3.       The state of the earth is a reflection of the value we place on it. Rom. 1:20, Psa. 19:1.

4.       We have a responsibility to protect the earth because our existence as men depends on it.  Rev. 11:18.

5.       We owe a responsibility to protect the earth from abuse and misuse as a result of human greed. (avoid indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources). Matt.6:19-21, 1Tim6:6-10, Heb. 13:5.

6.       We have a responsibility to protect the endangered species. Exod. 23:10-12.

LESSON 11

THE BLESSINGS OF (REWARDS FOR) FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP

1.       A life that is pleasing to God; that receives positive commendation from God. Heb. 11:6, Matt. 17:5, 1Cor. 10:31, Col.3:17.

2.       Having result to show for your labour. Prov. 10:22

3.       Enjoyment of remarkable abundance. Mal. 3:10-11, Lk. 6:38.

4.       Passing on a legacy of faith. Prov. 13:22, 22:1.

5.       Promotion to higher responsibility.  Luke 16:11, Matt. 25:21.

6.       Spiritual growth and victory over greed and covetousness. Luke 12:15

7.       A faithful steward grows the habit of prudence and efficiency. Gal. 5:24.

8.       A faithful steward is a blessing to those who come in contact with and depend upon him, and a candidate of eternal life.  1Tim. 6:18-19.

9.       Eternal life is the ultimate reward for faithful stewardship. Matt. 25:21.