Stewardship Are you ready to give an

accounting?

Ryan K. Morgan – Sunday, April 13th, 2008 – East End Church of Christ

1. Everything belongs to God

He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

2. Nothing Belongs to Us.

3. As stewards, we are to give an accounting for the things God has entrusted us with.

Steward

= “A person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as an agent of another or other’s.”

1. Everything Belongs to God (The Creator)

Genesis 1:1 – “In the Beginning god created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 2:7 – “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Everything Belongs to God

John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Everything Belongs to God

Colossians 1:15-18 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, what in all things He may have the preeminence.”

What are we stewards of?

• God’s word• Family

(husband/wife/children/friends/brothers & sisters in Christ)• Talents and Abilities (public speaking,

1on1 studies Barnabas – encouragement, hospitality, humility)• Monetary stewards• Land – caring for our property and the

earth (God’s creation)• Houses• Animals – “A righteous man careth for his

animals.” • Food – Gluttony is a form of poor

stewardship• Body – Is the Holy Temple of God (I Cor.

3:16, II Cor. 6:16)

2. Nothing Belongs to us.

• We are the Created – Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:7• This makes us stewards and servants of the Most High!

•As Stewards how do we take care of/manage what someone else has entrusted us with? . …….

Are you being a good steward

of God’s: TRUTH

I Corinthians 4:1-5 – Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Are you being a good steward

of God’s: TRUTH

I Cor. 4:2 --- Matthew 3:10 = “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

I Cor. 4:5 --- Matthew 10:26 = “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.”

(God will bring every secret thing into judgment)

Are you being a good steward of God’s:TEACHING

I Corinthians 9:16-17

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

Are you being a good steward of God’s:

BODY

I Corinthians 3:16-17

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

II Corinthians 6:16

Are you being a good steward of God’s:

TALENT/ABILITIES

Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents

(19) – “The Lord ----- settled accounts -----with the servants.”

(26) – The One talent man was “wicked” and “lazy”

(30) – ‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.’

Are you being a good steward of God’s:

MARRIAGE/FAMILY

Proverbs 31:10-31 – Teaches us to be good stewards of our wife. …as her worth is far above rubies.

Ephesians 5:22-26 – “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word. …”

Are you being a good steward of God’s:

FOOD (body)

Proverbs 23:21

“For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.”

Are you being a good steward of God’s:

FRIENSHIPS/RELATIONSHPS

I Corinthians 15:33

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”

3. We Must Give an Accounting for the Things God has Entrusted us With.

Luke 12: 35-48

(36) – As good stewards, we need to be expecting and waiting for the Lord’s return.

(40) – As good stewards, we have to be ready to give an account at any time. (42) – Servants and Stewards represent all Christians.

(46) – Unbelievers & Unfaithful & Bad Stewards will be cut in two, and appointed their portion with the unrighteous.

We Must Give an Accounting for the Things God has Entrusted us With.

II Corinthians 5:10

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

We Must Give an Accounting for the Things God has Entrusted us With.

Jude 15-16

“To execute judgment to all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. “

We Must Give an Accounting for the Things God has Entrusted us With.

Matthew 12:36

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

Examine Yourself

1. Have you been a good steward of the things God has blessed you with?

2. Are you ready to stand before Him and give an accounting for every talent and blessing that you possess?

3. Have you been a good steward of God’s greatest blessing? ….

God’s Plan of Salvation

Hear – Romans 10:17 Believe – Hebrews 11:6

Repent – Acts 2:38 Confess - 1 John 1:9

Be Baptized – Mark 16:16 Continue

Steadfast - I Corinthians 15:58