During the message last Sunday, I shared four gospel-centered attitudes about wealth and money that need to be nurtured if we, as followers of Jesus, are going to live the gospel with this area of life. Those areas were stewardship, simplicity, generosity, and contentment. When Christ graces a person, the outcome is life change, transformation, and surrender. Metaphorically, God enters our lives, brings mercy and grace through forgiveness, but also brings mercy and grace by cleaning the messes we have made in our lives, one room at a time. Yet, at any room, if we shut the door and take ownership, it is at this point in life that the experience of grace in life ceases. I don’t at all intend to imply that God leaves life, but, keeping with the metaphor, He takes a seat and waits until we open the door, grant Him access, and give Him control. God desires that we acknowledge His ownership and Lordship in all areas of life.
One of the most difficult areas for us to relinquish control and trust the goodness of Christ is in the area of our money and possessions. Throught the Bible, the four attitudes listed above are encouraged, nurtured, and even commanded, because they are the avenues God works through to help us relinquish control and submit this area of life to the grace and goodness of Christ.
I will write four posts this week on these attitudes. Today I will focus on the Biblical concept of stewardship, and will do two primary things. First, I will write a little bit to explain the idea, and how it is a Gospel attitude as it relates to our stuff. Second, I will list an abundance of Scriptures, hoping to demonstrate that the Bible is clear and thorough on the subject. This list of Scriptures will not be comprehensive – there is no way to include all the passages on each topic – but will represent passages from various parts of Scripture, using different literary types and various sections of the Bible. My challenge to you as you read the posts is to look up the Scriptures, and ask God to nurture the attitude in your life as a way to submit yourself to Him.
Stewardship is the attitude that everything in all of creation is owned by God, including my money, possessions, family, home, cars…. The Gospel attitude of stewardship requires a heart shift from seeing myself as an owner to one of a caretaker and servant. It requires the nurturing of the attitude that everything I have and everything I am is owned by God, that He has given these things to me for His purposes and my enjoyment. It means that I learn to ask daily of my wealth, “God, what would you have me do with your money and possessions?” The Gospel attitude of stewardship realizes that God is creator of all things, and as creator, He gives purpose and value to everything that exists. It also understands that the blood of Christ purchased us from the slavery of sin and selfishness and for Himself. Paul said, “You were bought with a price (the blood of Jesus), therefore glorify God with your body.” {I Corinthians 6:20}
Scriptures
- Luke 19:11-27
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
- Deuteronomy 38:10-18
- 1 Samuel 2:7
- Proverbs 10:22
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- Psalm 50:10
- Ecclesiastes 3:10-13
- Matthew 6:21-24
- Genesis 1:26-28 – the word “dominion” indicates God as owner but Adam as caretaker of creation
- Psalm 24:1
- Psalm 50:10-12
- Colossians 3:22-25
- Proverbs 3:9
