Abraham's School of Finance: Stewardship

We are learning about managing finances in this month's preaching series at VCF entitled Abraham's School of Finance.  Week 2 is all about Stewardship.

Week 1: Covenant
Week 2: Stewardship
Week 3: Tithing
Week 4: Generosity

OIKONOMIA - from Greek; the management of household or household affairs; management, oversight, administration of others' properties.  ECONOMICS is derived from this word, and we know it is the production, distribution and consumption of limited resources.  Key word here is limited, which is why people hoard and focus on just getting.

To understand stewardship, the following questions need to be asked.

  • Who is the provider?
  • What is the purpose?
  • What is our part?
PROVIDER

--- The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)
--- For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:7)

God is the ultimate provider and God's resources are unlimited.  We are merely stewards and not owners.

PURPOSE

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;  I will make your name great,  and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;  and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

God wants to partner with us.  God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.  Use worldly wealth to bless others.  We have more than we need.

PART

--- Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
--- Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)
--- A faithful man will be richly blessed, 
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:20)

--- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

--- Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)


Be faithful in the little things.  Do not live beyond your means. Be faithful with the use of other people's possessions.

Pastor Jeff Eliscupidez 
VCF Fort, November 12, 2011

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