DEVOTION 2013
LIVING BEYOND EXCUSES
DEVOTION TO FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
MATTHEW 25:14-30
14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by
the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants
and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.
15 “He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and
$1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left
on his trip. 16 The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy
and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000.
17 The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and
earned another $2,000.
18 “But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in
the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.
19 “After a long time their master returned from his
trip and called them to him to account for his money. 20 The man to whom
he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.
21 “His master praised him for good work. ‘You have
been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give
you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’
22 “Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with
the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’
23 “‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and
faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will
give you much more.’
24-25 “Then the man with the $1,000 came and said,
‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I
earned,[d]
so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’
26 “But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave!
Since you knew I would demand your profit, 27 you should at least have put
my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money
from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. 29 For the man who
uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance.
But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little
responsibility he has shall be taken from him. 30 And throw the useless
servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
LB
INTRODUCTION
v We
are created in God’s Image
v God
has given/deposited His resources-Time, Talents, treasures, Intelligences,
finance etc in us.
v God
expects us to use all these resources for his glory and purpose
v We
are expected to be stewards of these resources
STEWARDSHIP: refers to the
management of resources.
STEWARD: : Someone who
manages property or other affairs for someone else or Is a person entrusted
with the management of estates or affairs not his own (Webster dictionary).
1. GOD OWNS ALL THINGS (V.14-15)
- God owns us
- God owns the money
- God owns the time
2. GOD GIVES ACCORDING TO OUR ABILITY (V.15b)
A. God knows how much we are capable of handling
B. We are expected to use the money for His glory and
purpose
3. GOD DEMANDS PROFITABILITY (V19-26.)
- God gives instruction to make profit. Luke 19:6
- Money Grows. Money only grows/increase when invested.
- Money is not meant to be hidden.
4. GOD REWARDS PROFITABILITY (v.21-30)
A. The profitable servant – Were commended,
B. The unprofitable servant. John 15:2
CONCLUSION:
The implication of these principles to us are:
- We are not owners but stewards/managers of God’s resource. Time, Money treasures and talents belongs to God. He demands faithfulness in the use of them. I Corinthians 4:2
- God is not interested in how much you earn but what you do with His money. Pay your tithe correctly, give your offerings and give for missions and sow your seeds. All these are avenues through which God’s abundance is released into our lives.
- Invest in the ministry: God expects us to invest our money into what he is doing in TVCBC, Developmental projects etc. Galatians 6:7
- It is a sin to use/spend God’s money on things that are not important /profitable.
- Live on less than you make so that you can invest in profitable assets
- Don’t ever feel that you are contributing too much to Church or to God’s work. “To whom much is given much is required”. Luke 12:48
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