STEWARDSHIP OF LIFE
STEWARDSHIP OF LIFE
Virgil Warren, PhD
INTRODUCTION
The stewardship of life sees the whole of life as having a primarily vertical direction. It envisions, not a consumer mentality, but a producer mentality. A person must start at the right place in order to think, feel, and act properly in this stewardship.
I. SELF
Our possessions are not ours; they belong to the creator: Psalm 24:1.
Our privileges: 1 Corinthians 4:7
Our selves: we do not belong to ourselves: Psalm 24:1.
God’s by creation
People’s responsibility for the earth by God’s appointment: Psalm 8:3-6.
God’s by redemption: 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a
A person plus his accouterments equals the total self.
“First They Gave of Themselves to the Lord”: 2 Corinthians 8:5
II. TIME
Adult capacity for deriving satisfaction from work (vs. entertainment or play)
III. ABILITIES
A. Natural capacities talents A) THE INDIVIDUAL
Talents and skills
athletic ability become gifts of the
intelligence Spirit we become
Christians.
B. Developed abilities skills B) THE BODY
2 Corinthians 8:14
1. something for everyone
Romans 12:4-8 to do
2. interdependency
3. Often the less
prestigious activities
C. Supernatural endowments miracles involve the hardest
work and require the
1 Corinthians 12 most attention.
prophecy
speaking in languages
Practically any skill or capacity we have can be applied to the work of the kingdom.
Giving of our abilities, and the like, may be more valuable and give greater satisfaction
than giving resources (money, goods), but we can look at giving money too.
IV. RESOURCES
A. Motivations
1. Example
Jerusalem Christians
Philippian church (Philippians 4:14-19; 2 Corinthians 8)
Widow’s mite (Mark 12:42)
Christ himself (2 Corinthians 8:9)
2. Gratitude
1 Corinthians 15:55-58 + 16:1a: Redemption is connected with collection.
Why didn’t God give the Law after the exodus?
Ephesians 1:6: “To the praise of the glory of his grace”
Matthew 10:6: “You received freely; give freely.”
3. Love: 2 Corinthians 8:7-8
4. Results
We help change ourselves (Ephesians 4:28).
Our affections are tied to the matter to which we contributed (Matthew
6:21).
Sense of satisfaction
Blessing that returns to us (Acts 20:35)
Makes people happy (ministers’ support) and God too (Philippians 4:18)
Good that is accomplished
God is praised by our actions.
by the gratitude to him from those dependent on our
liberality (2 Corinthians 9:12-13).
As to amount, the more we put into something, the more we get out of it and the more our hearts are tied to it (Matthew 6:21; 2 Corinthians 9:6).
B. Amount
Not all people are alike in circumstances of life,
resources,
level of faith.
1. According to the level of faith (Romans 12:3-8); we need to be careful pushing people to give beyond the level of their commitment.
2. According to need (Acts 4:35; 2:45)
3. According to ability (Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 8:3, 11-12; 1 Corinthians
16:1)
4. According to what creates equality (2 Corinthians 8:13-15; cp. John the Baptist in Luke 3:11)
C. Manner
Intentionally: Ephesians 4:28
Voluntarily: 2 Corinthians 8:3 (newborn baby—life in itself)
Cheerfully: 2 Corinthians 9:7 (from the best) (give of self)
(purposed/planned)
Regularly: 2 Corinthians 16:1 Do not get caught by surprise when not
able to do much.
CONCLUSION
The interpersonal context removes weaknesses that come from depersonalizing stewardship like . . .
giving in order to get
quantified approach to giving
Giving of ourselves (2 Corinthians 8:5)
to meet the needs of real people (Philippians 4:10-20)
because Christ has done so much for us
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