The stewardship of our wealth

(The following is an outline of the sermon preached by Michael Larsen on August 12, 2018.)

Everything you have is a gift from God, and God expects you to make the most of whatever He gives you.  The word in the Bible for making the most of what you have is “stewardship.”  Stewardship is simply the old English word for “management.”  It means managing everything God gives you: your time, your talents, your treasure, your resources, your opportunities.

The Bible says that life is a test and life is a trust and God is watching how you handle what He gives you here on earth to see what He can trust you with in heaven for eternity.  The Bible says that both your rewards in heaven and your responsibilities in heaven are going to be based on your stewardship here on earth.  

There are three traps that people fall in to with their money:

1.  Thinking that having more will make me happier.

2.  Thinking that having more will make me more important.

3.  Thinking that having more will make me more secure.  

So how are we to properly manage our money for God?

The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Tell people to use their money to do good.  By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven.  It is the only safe investment for eternity.”

1.  Use your money to express worship.

Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income.”

Matthew 6:21says, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”  

2.  Use it to encourage fellowship.

3.  Use it to enhance your spiritual life.

4.  Use it to extend your ministry.

God wants you to use money to help other people that are in need.  

5.  Use your money to extend your mission.

God wants you to use your money to help bring people to Him.