It all Belongs to God

Follow Along with the Message

Luke 12:35–37 (NIV)- “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

Luke 12:42–44 (NIV)- The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Luke 12:45 (NIV)- But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.

Luke 12:46 (NIV)- The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:48 (NIV)- But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

"The fundamental truth in the matter of stewardship is that everything we touch belongs to God."- John Blanchard

There are three basic components to the biblical theology of stewardship.

1. God  it all.
2. We are  by God with resources to do good.
3. Those who steward the master’s resources well are given  resources to steward.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)- Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:8–11 (NIV)- And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that
you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase
your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be
generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Six basic guidelines from Paul in his letters to the Corinthians.

1.
2.
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6. Motivated by  to Jesus

If you were to answer a survey question with three options, which would best describe you today?

• I do not listen to God.
• I listen to God, but not about money and generosity. “I don’t ask him about that!”
• I listen to God about money and generosity. “Is this for me? Or for me to give away?”

So the invitation this week is to radically rethink your relationship to your money and resources, not as owner or non-owner, but as caretaker. And to begin a lifelong journey of learning to listen to the voice of your loving, generous, joyful Father and provider.