Home: The Priority of the Local Church

Sunday, August 13 th 2023

1 Corinthians 6:19,20
Introduction

As God’s Servants, We are to Steward His Resources Well

I. God’s Servants
One of the realities of Christian existence is that we now belong to Another. All that we
are and all that we have now belong to God. Everything that we are and have—our
personality, intellect, gifts, abilities, opportunities, possessions—has been given to us by
God.
Christian service is God-centered.
Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are
serving the Lord Christ.”
Christian service is others focused.
Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your
freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Christian service is characterized by humility.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also
to the interests of others.”
Christian service is empowered by the Spirit of God.
1 Peter 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good
stewards of God's varied grace: 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.”

II. Steward His Resources Well
Stewardship involves the faithful use of resources that belong to another. Scripture is
clear that an authentic relationship with Christ will find expression in the faithful use of
our resources for His purposes.
“Christian stewardship is the management of life and all its resources for the glory of
God.” Murray J. Harris

The heart of stewardship. What we do with our money reveals where our heart truly is
(Matt. 6:21). But in addition to the command to give, Scripture also addresses our
motives and attitudes towards giving.
Giving is to be generous, not stingy.
2 Corinthians 9:6: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Giving is to be enthusiastic, not grudging.
2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Giving is to be deliberate, not haphazard.
2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Giving is to be discreet, not showy.
Matthew 6:1-4: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Giving is to be with faith, not anxiety.
Malachi 3:10: “Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my
house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the
windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more
need.”
III. Conclusion
The giving of ourselves through servanthood and stewardship is not merely a duty—as
if we somehow could “repay” God through our giving or service. On the contrary, before we can give, we must possess, and before we can possess, we must receive. Therefore, all our serving and giving is simply offering back to God what we have been so graciously given. Our time, talents, and resources are all gifts from God, and it is a consummate privilege to offer these gifts in service of God’s glory and purposes. What a gracious invitation God has given us to “participate in the journey” of the Christian life!

Who could imagine a more noble, meaningful, and fulfilling existence?