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PERSONAL STEWARDSHIP

INTRODUCTION: We must not neglect to teach the doctrine of stewardship to its fullness. The lack of understanding of this teaching can cause us to become stunted and dwarfed in our spiritual growth.

I.      Every member of a New Testament Church is a steward of God and is responsible and

accountable for his service to God.

A.   Ministers and pastors are stewards, Titus 1:7, I Corinthians 4:1. (As stewards of the
        mysteries of God, they are to teach the whole council of God, I Corinthians 4:2.)

B.   Deacons are stewards, Acts 6:3, I Timothy 3:8-10. (Deacons are to be examples in faith-
        fulness, spirituality, and good works.)

C.   Every member of a New Testament Church is a steward, I Peter 4:10,11.

II.     There are requirements for stewards as members of a New Testament Church.

A.   The most basic requirement of every member in a New Testament Church is unwaver-

ing faithfulness to the house of God.

1.     Keep in mind that this is only part of our reasonable service to God, Romans 12:1.

2.     Also bear in mind that unfaithfulness is a willful sin, Hebrews 10:25,26.

B.   There are additional requirements of stewardship, I Peter 4:7-9.

1.     Be sober minded.

2.     Watch unto prayer.

3.     Have fervent love for one another.

4.     Use hospitality.

5.     Use all that God has given us for His glory.

C.   A steward is responsible for his works and is accountable to God.

1.     Notice the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:15,20-27.

2.     We will all stand in judgment, II Corinthians 5:10.

D.   A steward must strive lawfully in the Lord’s Church to receive the reward of brideship,
        II Timothy 2:5; Philippians 3:14.

III. We are commanded to be good stewards of the time that God has given us.

A.   Before we were saved, our time was wasted in sin, Ephesians 2:1-3.

B.   We need to use our time for Christ because we do not know how long we have left to
        serve Him, James 4:13-15.

C.   We need to use our time for Christ, for we shall give an account to Him for how we lived
        and served Him, Romans 14:10-12.

IV.    The Bible speaks of a stewardship of our bodies.

A.   Our bodies, as well as our souls, belong to God, I Corinthians 6:19,20.

1.     The Holy Spirit lives in us, and we are to use our bodies to glorify God.

2.     Therefore, we are not to let our bodies be used for sinful things, I Corinthians

6:13,15,18.

3.     Since our bodies belong to God, we should not take them places God would not

have them go.

4.     We are also admonished to control our tongue in obedience to the Lord, James 1:26.

B.   We should avoid any habit that would harm, weaken or shorten the life of the body, for

the body is to be used for Christ, I Corinthians 10:31.

C.   Periodically we should give the body an honorable rest and relaxation to preserve our
        strength for Christ, Matthew 14:22,23.

V.      The Bible teaches a stewardship of our means.

A.    The Scriptures reveal to us the doctrines concerning giving.

B.    We are commanded to give according to our income as the Lord has blessed us, I Corin-

thians 16:2; Deuteronomy 16:17.

C.    The Bible teaches proportionate giving, II Corinthians 8:12-14.

1.     The only proportion spoken of in the Bible with reference to giving is the tithe (ten

percent).

2.     Tithing is taught by commandment and example.

D.    God commanded Israel to tithe, Leviticus 27:30.

1.     Under Mosaic law a tenth of all produce, flocks and cattle are declared to be sac-

red to Jehovah. It was given as tribute money or rent, acknowledging that the earth

belongs to Him.

2.     God charged Israel for being disobedient, having robbed Him in tithes and offer-

ings, Malachi 3:8,9.

3.     We should not be disobedient and rob God of our tithes and offerings, nor should

we rob God of time, obedience and faithfulness.

E.    Tithes were given before the law, Hebrews 7:2,6; Genesis 28:22.

1.     We see from this that tithes were not restricted to those under the law.

2.     Tithes were given hundreds of years before the law.

F.    Jesus approved of the giving of tithes, Matthew 23:23.

G.   God promised manifold blessings for giving according to His Word, Malachi 3:10,11;

II Corinthians 9:6,7.

1.     If we give bountifully, we will reap bountifully.

2.     If we give sparingly, we will reap sparingly.

VI.    In addition to our tithe, the Bible speaks of the giving of alms. Luke 11:41.

A.   The antiquity of almsgiving is seen in the oldest book of the Bible, Job 29:12,13.

B.   Moses imposed a command concerning the needs of the poor, Deuteronomy 15:11. (This
        is an admonition, in principal, for all generations.)

C.   God honors almsgiving, Proverbs 19:17; Acts 10:4.

D.   God blesses almsgiving, Isaiah 58:7-11; II Corinthians 9:9.

E.   Paul was diligent in remembering the poor, Galatians 2:10.

F.    If we give, we are promised that it will be returned in good measure, Luke 6:38.

G.  Jesus did not encourage soliciting for alms (begging), nor are God’s people today to
        encourage indolence (laziness) and consequent poverty, II Thessalonians 3:10.

H.   The Bible does insist upon ministering to those in distress, Luke 3:11.

I.     Jesus warned against giving in order to be seen of men, Matthew 6:1-4.

J.     There is a solemn declaration against those who have this world’s goods and ignore

the needs of others, James 2:15,16; I John 3:17,18. (All we have is due to God’s good ness.)