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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“The Seven Non-Negotiables of Christian Stewardship” |
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I. Introduction.
A. The task was hardly a simple one, but it had a simple
beginning. Engineers had been given an assignment: to
build a bridge across the Niagara River, near the famous,
and dangerous, falls.1. The first problem to deal with was how to span that
swift-moving river with those high suspension
cables that would hold the bridge in place.2. The way they did this proved to be profoundly
simple – yet very effective. They launched a kite –
and, with the kite, the builders were able to get a thin string
across the river. With the string in place,
they then drew a rope across, which was followed
by a larger rope, then a small cable, and finally, a
larger cable heavy enough to use as a support in
constructing the bridge itself.3. From so simple a start, a string on a kite, came,
ultimately, a large bridge capable of supporting the
heaviest of trains as they crossed that previously
unfordable divide.B. Great projects start small; profound ideas have simple
beginnings; the simpler the solution, the more effective the
conclusion. These are foundational principles for all of
life’s truths.1. Our human urge is to make the simple complex.
We often discount the simple answers just because
they are not what we perceive as profound.2. We unnecessarily complicate matters, both physical
and spiritual. We make things far harder than they
were ever intended to be. We make burdensome
what God intended to be rewarding, fulfilling, even
exhilarating.C. When it comes to our stewardship as a Christian, we need
to understand the basic truths, the underlying principles,
God’s simple – profoundly simple yet effective – “non-
negotiables.” These truths are simple, but not simplistic.
They are eternal, yet relevant to everyone in all
generations.D. Our purpose is to identify seven of these simple, “non-
negotiable” truths, and to understand them in application
to our own lives, physical and spiritual. With such
application, we can become better stewards of what God
has entrusted to us.II. The Seven Truths.
A. Truth number 1: “God owns everything.” (Psalm 24:1:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and
those who dwell therein.”).1. We are fond of speaking of what “we” possess, of
what “we” own. The first, simple, truth, found
throughout the Bible, is that we “own” nothing.2. We are provided with what we need to survive in
the world; we acquire, and accumulate possessions-
sometimes beyond what we need – but everything
is God’s.3. We must, first, see ourselves as stewards, managers
of resources put into our care by the owner, God.
Our stewardship is the management of His
possessions.4. The days we live, the positions we fill, the children
we nurture, the people we influence, the homes we
inhabit, the money we acquire and spend, what we
use on a daily basis – all belong to someone else.5. That truth runs as an unbroken thread throughout
the Scriptures. As Moses told Israel: “. . . you shall
remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives
you power to get wealth, . . . “ (Deuteronomy 8:18).6. Apart from God’s grace and enablement, we are
nothing and we have nothing. He enables us to
obtain material possessions, but for what purpose
other than survival?B. Truth number 2: “God’s work must be supported by God’s
people.” (I Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of the week
let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he
may prosper.”).1. In God’s plan of stewardship, all believers are to
support the work of His church. In this verse we
can identify four conditions for giving of what
we’ve already received:a. It’s to be regular, according to a
consistently-followed pattern. (“On the
first day of the week . . .”).b. It’s to be responsive, according to what
we’ve been given (“. . . as he may prosper”).c. It’s to be reliant, planned and purposed
before the act itself (“. . . lay something
aside”).d. It’s to involve everyone (“. . . each one of
you . . .” ).2. In God’s word, giving is not an action, it’s part of a
lifestyle. It’s reflective of God’s own gifts to us –
especially the gift of His Own Son. (God loved . . .
He gave); (John 3:16).3. Our giving has its origin in the very character of
God.C. Truth number 3: “God holds every person accountable.”
(II Corinthians 5:10: “. . . we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, . . .”).1. Daniel Webster, the American politician and
statesman, was once asked: “Mr. Webster, what is
the most profound thought you ever had?” His
answer: “The most profound thought ever to
occupy my mind is that I am individually
accountable to Almighty God.”2. The truth is that we must account for ourselves and
our life to God. What does that mean for me as a
steward? I Corinthians 4:2: “. . . it is required in
stewards that one be found faithful.” What,
specifically, does that mean?D. Truth number 4: “God desires equal commitment, not
equal contribution.” (Mark 12:41-44). READ.1. What Jesus said about the poor widow’s gift made
the point: to God a valuable gift is not solely
determined by its amount. Motive, attitude,
financial condition – all these are a part of value,
and all these are a reflection of the commitment of
the giver.2. Real commitment means, at times, real sacrifice.
It’s never the size of the gift that matters, but the
generosity of the giver. Real sacrificial steward-
ship means giving up something, not just giving
away something.3. Stewardship results in a personal cost to the giver.
E. Truth number 5: “God holds more responsible those to
whom more is given.” In the parable of the faithful and
unfaithful servants (Luke 12), Jesus draws this conclusion:
“everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be
required; and to whom much has been committed, of him
they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48).1. This truth is especially relevant to the leadership of
the Lord’s body. When one takes upon himself a
position of authority or influence, it becomes
imperative to lead by example (e.g. David, in
I Chronicles 29).2. The principle applies to everyone who knows God’s
word and knows the responsibility of stewardship.3. This truth also has an opposite side, which is Truth
number 6.F. “God blesses the giver in proportionate measure.”
(Luke 6:38; RE-READ).1. God doesn’t need anything; yet, He desires for us
to grow in grace in our giving to Him. As we obey
Him in practicing faithful stewardship, He blesses
us accordingly.2. God blesses those who honor, and obey, His word.
Blessings come in various forms and various ways,
not all material.3. We place a limit upon God and His blessings by not
believing in, and accepting fully, this truth:
“measure for measure.” This verse is a promise as
well as a principle.G. Brings us to Truth number 7: “God’s will is that we give
wisely and generously.” (II Corinthians 9:6-8; READ).1. Here it is again: “measure for measure.”
(RE-READ underlined portions.)2. Here, also, is the principle that God is pleased
when we give out of a willing and joyful attitude.III. Conclusion.
A. These seven truths are all non-negotiable – “God said it;
that settles it.”B. Review these:
1. God owns everything.
2. God’s work must be supported by God’s people.
3. God holds every person accountable.
4. God desires equal commitment not equal
contribution.5. God holds more responsible those to whom more
is given.6. God blesses the giver in proportionate measure.
7. God’s will is that we give wisely and generously.
C. They are simple, yet profound.
D. (Illust.)“Did you ever see a tombstone with a dollar on it? Neither
did I. I have known men who lived as though their only
ambition was to accumulate, but I have never known one
who wanted a final judgment of himself to be based on
what he got. A man wants people to read in his obituary,
not a balance sheet of his wealth, but a story of his service
to humanity.”