Stewards of God’s Blessings Matthew 24:45-51

STEWARD “the manager of a household or estate (oikos, a house, nemo, to arrange)”, Vine “the manager of a household or estate (oikos, a house, nemo, to arrange)”, Vine Entrusted with goods and affairs of another Entrusted with goods and affairs of another Administers the affairs of his Master Administers the affairs of his Master Answers to his Master, Rom 14:4, 12 Answers to his Master, Rom 14:4, 12 2

The Master’s Appointment Matt 25:14-15; Mk 13:34 Every Christian is a steward Every Christian is a steward – Apostles, 1 Cor 4:1 – Elders, Titus 1:7 – Preachers, 1 Cor 9:16-17 – All Christians, 1 Peter 4:10-11 (Rom 12:6-8) 3

The Master’s Appointment Matt 25:14-15; Mk 13:34 Crucial elements of stewardship, Matt 24:45-51 (Mk 13:34) Crucial elements of stewardship, Matt 24:45-51 (Mk 13:34) – Under Christ’s authority, Matt 28:18; Col 3:17 – He has given us work to do, Eph 2:10 – Work to bless the Master, Matt 25:15-17; 1 Pet 4:10-11 (Gal 2:20) 4

The Master’s Appointment Matt 25:14-15; Mk 13:34 Crucial elements of stewardship, Matt 24:45-51 (Mk 13:34) Crucial elements of stewardship, Matt 24:45-51 (Mk 13:34) – Thankful and faithful, 2 Tim 2:19-21; 1 Cor 4:2. Otherwise, we… Take our blessings for granted Take our blessings for granted Fail to use to full extent Fail to use to full extent Begin to forget God, 2 Cor 9:6-11; 1 Tim 1:12; Psa 34:1-3 Begin to forget God, 2 Cor 9:6-11; 1 Tim 1:12; Psa 34:1-3 5

Stewards of our Time Ephesians 5:16 All want more, yet we often waste what we have, Luke 10:38-42 All want more, yet we often waste what we have, Luke 10:38-42 – Time management, Jno 9:4; Matt 24:48 – At the end of life, time is one thing everyone wants more of, Psa 90:10, 12 – Rejoice in the time you have and use it to honor God, Psa 90:13-17 – Use your opportunities now, 2 Cor 6:2 6

Stewards of Possessions 1 Timothy 6:17-19 How we use our possessions shows whether we value our stewardship How we use our possessions shows whether we value our stewardship – Manage our money to live within our means, Rom 13:8 – Pay our taxes and help others, Rom 13:7; Eph 4:28 – Give as we have prospered, 1 Cor 16:2 7

Stewards of Possessions 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Compels us to give, 6:18; Acts 20:35 Compels us to give, 6:18; Acts 20:35 – The measure we use will be used back to us, Luke 6:38 Measure of generosity, 2 Cor 9:6 Measure of generosity, 2 Cor 9:6 Measure of humble giving, Mk 12:41-44 Measure of humble giving, Mk 12:41-44 Measure of dutiful care of our family, 1 Tim 5:4, 8, 16 Measure of dutiful care of our family, 1 Tim 5:4, 8, 16 8

Stewards of our Physical Health, 1 Cor 6:19-20 Health is a blessing from God Health is a blessing from God – Often neglected until we don’t have it – Body is a temple; Use it to glorify God – Do not defile with immorality, 1 Cor 6:18 – Do not defile with destructive behavior (smoking, drug abuse, alcohol, etc.) – Self control, Gal 5:23 9

Stewards of our Physical Health, 1 Cor 6:19-20 Taking care of your health will bring you blessings to serve the Lord Taking care of your health will bring you blessings to serve the Lord – Strength for daily responsibilities, 1 Tim 5:23 – Strength to serve others, 1 Peter 4:11 – Even without good health you are a steward of the health you have, 2 Cor 12:9-10; Phil 1:21 10

STEWARDS OF GOD’S BLESSINGS Our Master will return and we will give an account of our stewardship, Matt 24:46, 50 Our Master will return and we will give an account of our stewardship, Matt 24:46, 50 Be thankful and useful Be thankful and useful Be diligent and faithful Be diligent and faithful 11