THE MANY PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP 1 CORINTHIANS 4: 1-5 D R. R A L P H G O D F R E Y S R.

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1 THE MANY PHASES OF STEWARDSHIP 1 CORINTHIANS 4: 1-5

2 The Phases of Stewardship will heighten your awareness about how simple processes in God s word can improve your life! When you are persuaded to believe God s word it will affect your heart, mind and soul!

3 If you fall in love with the Lord Jesus, you will understand that everything you have belongs to Him, and you will be more than willing to do whatever He ask of you.

4 Dr. Larry Burkett states in his book Giving & Tithing, that when tithing is done for the right reason, it is the confirmation of God s controlling ownership, which means we simply manage what He has entrusted to us. *Dr. Larry Burkett, Giving & Tithes, pg 32.

5 What is stewardship? The managing of another person s property, finances, or household affairs. relationship (social) identity (education) gifting (spiritual) finances (economically) The earth is the Lord s and the fullness thereof the world and they that dwell there in (Ps 24:1).

6 Stewardship involves the responsibility of managing God s work through His Church. God has appointed all Christians to be stewards on earth. This is not and option. Being a steward is a necessary part of believing the Gospel even when it involves sharing personal rewards.

7 The Responsibility of Stewardship The parable of the talent (Matt. 25:14-30). Extending the church ministry throughout the world by preaching the gospel (Col. 1:24-29). Supporting the church financially (Acts 4:32-37). Ministering to the least of people (Matt. 25:31-46).

8 Stewards are Managers Good stewards manages others money as if it were there own. Example: Potiphar, (Gen. 39:4 NLT). For if we have not been faithful in that which is another man s who shall give you that which is your own, no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate one, and love the other; or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Luke 16: 12-13).

9 Stewards are Managers Everything we have belong to God and we are responsible to be good managers of it.

10 What are the phases of stewardship? 1. We are Stewards of Relationship. The early church: Loved one another. Was a family not a business. Relationships were more important than production. When we open our hearts to care for others witnessing becomes easier ( Acts 11:26 NLT).

11 2. We are Stewards of Special Identity But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God s mercy ( I Peter 2: 9-10 NLT).

12 Gifts are what the Spirit uses. 3. We are Stewards of Our Gifts 1 Peter 4:10-11 Gifts enhance our talents so that they can be used for the Lord. Stewardship of gifts is not a trivial matter, we must take them seriously. The word talent was used in a different way until the Middle Ages.

13 We are Stewards of Our Gifts The word talent in the Greek was used for money, or weight of silver, gold etc. But later on during the Middle Ages it was changed to mean ability, capacity, faculty, talent, skill, competence and aptitude. These qualities are in a person that permit or facilitate achievement or accomplishment. 1 Cor. 12:1-11 we are shown how the Holy Spirit imparted gifts to us of various kinds to be used in various ways and they are given to minister to one another (Also see: Rom. 12:1-11). And under the direction of the Holy Spirit the whole body is fitted together perfectly, as each part does its own special work, it help the other part grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (Eph. 4:16).

14 4. We Are Stewards of Finance Matt. 25:15-30 NLT Stewardship is about being honest as we manage God s household. Some people will give to God legalistically. They enjoy God blessing them, but they have no joy in giving back to Him. So they give the least they can. The scripture says in Prov. 11:25 NLT, the generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. ECC. 11:6 NLT plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don t know if your profit will come from one activity or another-or both. Those who give out of love and enjoy what they are doing are blessed in the process.

15 4. We Are Stewards of Finance Giving is the only drain plug I know for greed. Giving is a way for us to drain greed out of your system. God is not interested in your money but your maturity, of how well you manage what he gives to you. Whatever He calls for, you should be able to give because you are able to manage what he put into your hands. There should be no complaining because it belongs to Him.

16 Sometimes people try to substitute service for giving, while others give rather than serve. Neither one works because both are required for Christian maturity. The body needs your gifting and your talent, your money and your service in order to fulfill God s calling in the earth. However, to become good stewards we must understand the phases of stewardship: because stewards are what we are and stewardship is what we do. Relationship-Social Identity-Education Gifts- Spiritual Finance - Economically

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