Stewards or Owners? Matthew 25:14-30
1. We are ultimately stewards and not owners of God’s gifts, opportunities and resources that we are responsible for cultivating and perfecting
Stewardship = Managing the resources that God has given us. Stewardship is “the management of someone else’s finances, property, or other affairs.”
Deut. 10:14 (NCV)
The Lord owns the world and everything in it—the heavens, even the highest heavens, are his.
Luke 14:33 (NJB)
So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple without giving up all that he owns.
Col. 3:24 (Living)
…remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for.
Haggai 1:6 (NLT)
You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!
1 Peter 4:10 (NJB)
Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these varied graces of God, put it at the service of others.
2. Stewards develop their potential gifts and talents by using their own initiative, wisdom and creativity with the attitude of pleasing the Master
Eccles. 10:10 (TEV)
If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Reject the all-or-nothing thought that if I cannot be perfect, then there is no point in trying to be better
3. Be 100% faithful to steward what is directly in front of us, however small, because God is ultimately looking for trustworthiness and character
1 Cor. 4:1-2 (NJB)
People should think of us as Christ's servants, stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God. In such a matter, what is expected of stewards is that each one should be found trustworthy.
Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
The secret to promotion in the kingdom of God is to be faithful in all the small things because God evaluates and promotes us based on them
Luke 16:10-11 (Msg)
Jesus went on to make these comments: "If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store?
It is ultimately not about how few gifts or talents I have but how faithful I am to what I already have
Philip. 4:13 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.