What is stewardship?

It's the careful & responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. 

Stewardship isn’t just about handling our money and possessions well but in all aspects of our lives. He’s entrusted with resources to use for the expansion of His kingdom: time, talents, treasures (finances), and the testimony of our transformation in Christ.

Faithful stewardship requires us to understand that everything belongs to God and He’s simply allowing us to steward what He’s given us. 

God created the heavens and the earth, called everything good and then He made man and woman. He then gave Adam and Eve the assignment to tend to the garden that He had made. 

God blessed them and called them to be fruitful and multiply. 

Sometimes an answered prayer looks like work: God doesn’t always bless us with the result; He gives us the seed and we get to do our part and He does the increase in due season at the appointed time.

Faithful stewardship requires partnership with the Holy Spirit who teaches us in the ways of righteousness. It is only through dependence on the Lord that we're able to cultivate an excellent spirit in all that He blesses us to steward. 

You can be faithful in your stewardship even if you have imperfections. 
God can still use you.

David was a fornicator and murderer but God still used him. 
Apostle Paul murdered Christians before encountering the Lord and he was still used mightily for the kingdom of God. 
You may have a past that was displeasing to God but the blood of Jesus washes you clean white as snow. 

God can do immeasurably more but that requires you to get to the end of you and walk out your obedience. 

Keys to faithful stewardship:

1. Love the Lord

This is a principle of priority. When Jesus was asked what’s the greatest commandment, He responded “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-39). We first serve God above all then serve others. 

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 

When we seek Him 1st, He provides everything we need to proceed according to His plans and purposes.

2. Live according to the word of God

As believers, followers & disciples of Jesus Christ, we must be willing to live set apart lives.

Jesus calls us the salt and light of the world commanding us to let our light shine before men so they may see and glorify our Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Paul says in Romans 12:1-2

Daily we get to make the decision to conform to godly patterns & wisdom not worldly ones.

When we aim to live as faithful stewards of all that God has given to us, we’ll also do regular inventory: First, evaluate, reflect & take accountability for every area of your life. Then surrender and let go of old patterns and ways of thinking (living an active lifestyle of repentance).

Repentance simply put is to make a decision to change our mind about what we were once doing that’s displeasing to the Lord.

It is the Holy Spirit who reveals when there is something we are missing the mark on or something that’s diverting our attention from trusting in God

Do your part to the best of your ability & surrender the rest to God. 

3. Labor in love & nurture your relationships

How we treat others is a reflection of the encounter and depth of how we’ve experienced the love of God

John 15:9-13

1 John 4:7-8 

Not only is partnership with the Holy Spirit crucial to faithful stewardship, kingdom partnerships are crucial as well.

When you see a healthy church flock, it's led by a healthy shepherd. When you see a healthy business, it's a