What do you think of when you hear "Stewardship?" No matter your background, something comes to mind - and if you've been involved in church in any capacity, you definitely have a thought rise up. In this Episode of Everyday Disciples, we dive into what it looks like to steward our time, our talent, and our treasure with a mindset focused on glorifying God.
EVERYDAY DISCIPLES S1:E8 | Stewardship
Welcome to the Everyday Disciples podcast, where we discuss what it means to follow the way of Jesus in everything, everywhere, every day. This month, we are talking about what it means to be good stewards of our time, talent, and treasures. Andrew West sits down with Ruth Farinha and Joel Winger for today's discussion.
SHOW NOTES
WE ARE EVERYDAY DISCIPLES
As a reminder of what these conversations are about, at Crossroads, one of our values is that we are everyday disciples. That means our relationship with God is intended to shape every part of our lives. There is no separation between the mundane and the spiritual. Our life with God isn't confined to a moment on Sunday morning; it is to be lived every moment and in every setting. So over the course of this season, we are walking through 8 practices. Today, we are talking about the practice of stewardship. How do we steward our time, talent, and treasure?
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP
According to Ben Patterson, "A steward is someone entrusted with another’s wealth or property and charged with the responsibility of managing it in the owner’s best interest."
The parable of the talents: Matthew 25:14-30
STEWARDING TIME
Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
James 4:14 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
STEWARDING TALENTS
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
STEWARDING TREASURE
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Romans 14:7-8 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.
PRACTICE
BOOK & LISTENING RECOMMENDATIONS:
TIME:
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley
Do More Better by Tim Challies
TALENT:
The Holy Spirit: An Introduction (Short Studies in Systematic Theology) by Fred Sanders Practicing the Power: Welcoming the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Your Life by Sam Storms
Understanding Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms
Walking in step with the Holy Spirit | Everyday Disciples - S1:E2
TREASURE:
Money, Possesions, Eternity by Randy Alcorn