Lifestyles

Paul talks to the new Christian communities in his epistles and teaches them a radical attitude toward money and possessions as they lived with their families in their homes and operated businesses.

Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won’t have to depend on anyone. - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Christians needed steady employment to provide for their families.

 So, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask and beg these people to settle down and start working for a living. - 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Jesus called His first four disciples to leave their fishing business to follow Him. Abandoning their possessions was part of answering the call, because Christ's ministry was itinerant, requiring almost constant travel, mostly on foot.

  Peter replied, “Remember, we left everything to be your followers!” - Mark 10:28

 As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, “Come with me!” So he got up and went with Jesus - Mark 2:14

In the following verses we see a man not only willing but eager, nearly desperate, to leave all else behind and follow Christ.  Christ called him not to leave everything behind, but instead to settle into his community - with all that implies as to shelter, possessions, and vocation - and to us his home and possessions to further the kingdom.  Was this an inferior calling?

 When Jesus was getting into the boat, the man begged to go with him.  But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how good he has been to you.”
 The man went away into the region near the ten cities known as Decapolis^[a] and began telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard what had happened was amazed. - Mark 5:18-20

The disciples were to stay in houses and be fed by those who were receptive to their message.

 He told them, “You may take along a walking stick. But don’t carry food or a travelling bag or any money.  It’s all right to wear sandals, but don’t take along a change of clothes.  When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town.  If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet^[a] as a warning to them. - Mark 6:8-11

Later on Jesus tells the apostles were to take a purse, bag and even a sword.

Stories about Stewardship

The story of the shrewd manager shows that each of us should carefully invest our financial assets, gifts, and opportunities to have an impact on people for eternity, thereby making preparations for our own eternal future.

The story of the coins shows that we're each entrusted by God with different financial assets, gifts and opportunities and we'll be accountable to God for how we've invested them in this life.

The story of investments shows that those with comparable gifts, assets and opportunities will be judged according to their faithfulness and industriousness in investing them in God's kingdom, and consequently will receive varying positions of authority in heaven.

The master may deal with other servants however they wish.  Each servant must do the job and be prepared to give account to one from whom nothing can be hidden.

The inevitability of consequences for all our actions - the law of the eternal harvest is more certain than the laws of physics --

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. - Galatians 6:7

The meaninglessness of everyone else's evaluation of the steward compared to the judgement of our one and only master --

Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favour]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. - Romans 14:4

 From the beginning to end, Scripture repeatedly emphasised God's ownership of everything --

Behold, the heavens and the highest of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth and all that is in it. - Deuteronomy 10:14

The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; you are [only] foreigners and temporary residents with Me. - Leviticus 25:23

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion and kingdom, O Lord,and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honour come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone. - 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

"Who has first given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine. [Who can have a claim against Me who made the unmastered beast?] - Job 41:11

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, The world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the streams and the rivers. - Psalm 24:1

'The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the Lord of hosts. - Haggai 2:8

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honour and glorify God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Not only does God own everything, but He determines how much of His wealth He will entrust to us --

But you shall remember [with profound respect] the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore (solemnly promised) to your fathers, as it is this day. - Deuteronomy 8:18

The Lord makes poor and makes rich;He brings low and He lifts up. - 1 Samuel 2:7

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone. - 1 Chronicles 29:12

When I grasp that I'm a steward, not an owner, it totally changes my perspective.  Suddenly, I'm not asking, "How much of my money shall I, out of the goodness of my heart, give to God?"  Rather, I'm asking, "Since all of 'my' money is really Yours, Lord, how would you like me to invest Your money today?"





Stewardship Stories

Learning and Teaching Stewardship

Inspirational Christian Stories and Poems

Sermon Illustrations, Humor, and Stories on Finances, Generosity, Giving, Tithing, Offerings
Journey to Generosity True Stories

"Lord, You Can Use My Boat"

STORIES

Changing the Way People Think About Generosity