With Gratitude: Understanding Stewardship
Pastor Phil Moser
June 11th, 2023
Pastor Phil Moser
June 11th, 2023
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
(3) What is meant by STEWARDSHIP in the Bible?
I am a steward of God’s resources that were given for me to invest. One day, I will give an account.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
I am a steward of God’s resources that were given for me to invest. One day, I will give an account.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
God Gave Gifts That All Might Participate
(1)Different by Design: God gave unique gifts that the church might be built up (12:6)
- Romans 12:6-8
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. - Ephesians 4:15-16
15 …we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
(2) Intended to be Used: God gave practical gifts that all might participate (12:6)
Romans 12:6-8
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Prophecy—You know the Scripture and can proclaim the right verse at the right time.
- Serving—You seek to lighten others’ burdens by helping them.
- Teaching—You make the truth easy to understand and clear in application.
- Encouragement—You come along side with encouraging words.
- Giving—You easily sacrifice your potential wants for others’ pressing needs.
- Leading—You lead others by means of your example not authoritarian rule.
- Mercy—You feel the pain and loss of others and actively show them care and kindness.
(3) Motivated by Love: God gave his Son that we might be properly motivated (5:8; 12:9)
- Romans 12:9-10
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. - Romans 5:8
…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.