BUILT TO LAST: Stewardship

We are INVESTING in our students by:
Equipping Faith that is Built to Last in a Decaying Culture

We avoid wasting opportunities with BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP:

1. Biblical Stewardship begins with our God-given ASSIGNMENT.

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” Matthew 25:14-15 ESV

1. Do I see God as the owner of my life and all that I possess?
2. Do I see God has entrusted me with responsibility?
3. Do I see God working through my life to bless others?

2. Biblical Stewardship depends upon our GODLY RESPONSE.

He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Matthew 25:16-18 ESV

TIME: Does my calendar reflect the priority of disciple making? 

TALENT: Are my God-given abilities prioritized for disciple making? 

TREASURE: Do my finances show a priority to support disciple making? 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

3. Biblical Stewardship will be held ACCOUNTABLE by God.

“Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.” Matthew 25:19-27 ESV

3.1 Everything we have is on LOAN from the Lord

Job 1:20; Psalm 24:1; Luke 12:13-21

3.2 The FIRST PART belongs to the Lord

Genesis 4:3,4; Exodus 13:1-2; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:8-12

3.3 The REST is ours to MANAGE

Proverbs 6:6-11; 27:23-27

3.4 In all things we are to SEEK His kingdom FIRST

Matthew 6:25-34; 1 John 2:15-17

3.5 The Lord asks us to TEST Him

2 Kings 17; Malachi 3:10

4. Biblical Stewardship will be REWARDED by God.

“‘So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:28-30 ESV

Two current OPPORTUNITIES for Biblical Stewardship:

1. Gospel Ministry Budget
2. Built to Last