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sunday

What Does It Mean To Practice “Stewardship”?

Stewardship is the management of and accountability for something that belongs to someone else, especially the human management of God's resources. When Jesus left Earth, he entrusted us all with his mission and the resources to fulfill it. Your choices of what to do here and now must be done in light of Jesus' return and your accountability to God.

Luke 12:35-48

• What characterizes a good and faithful manager of God's resources (12:42-45)? What will be the good manager's reward?

• List those things you believe God has entrusted you personally to manage on God's behalf. How seriously are you taking these responsibilities?

monday

What Is The Connection Between The Ability To Handle Financial Responsibilities And The Ability To Handle Spiritual Responsibilities?

Integrity is a cornerstone of stewardship. One who is trustworthy and competent is promoted in the business world; those who have proved to be trustworthy in the spiritual arena are also given greater responsibility.

Luke 16:1-15

• In Matthew 16:13 Jesus named the tension between loving God and loving money. From verse 15, what is the outcome of loving money? Of loving God?

• Honoring God with your money and possessions demonstrates that you value true spiritual wealth. In what use of your money could you give God greater honor?

tuesday

What Am I Supposed To Do With God's Resources?

Jesus recognized that God's resources would be entrusted to a variety of people, representing different levels of commitment and willingness to follow through with their God-honoring use. Using your gifts, talents, financial resources, and time appropriately may be costly, but in the end it costs much more to choose not to obey.

Luke 19:1-27

• The third servant (verses 20-21) operated under a faulty perception of the master. How did that influence his actions and reward?

• In what way do you think your perception of God is influencing your investment of the talents and resources Jesus has given you? Which servant are you most like?

wednesday

How Can I Best Manage The Servant Responsibilities God Has Entrusted To Me?

Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 9 shows an approach to serving that was joyful and purposeful. He was not motivated by monetary rewards but rather was willing to do whatever it took "to win as many as possible" to Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:7-27

• What rights did Paul have as an apostle (spiritual leader)? Why did he give them up?

• What would you be willing to give up financially, relationally, or professionally in order that you "might win some"?

thursday

What Does Good Stewardship Of My Christian Lifestyle Look Like?

You are to grow in maturity in Christ and are provided the resources personally and through the church to become a mature follower of Jesus. It's up to you to manage those resources by making the hard choices that will accomplish the goal.

Ephesians 4:11–5:20

• You are to "be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise." From today's Scripture, what are some behaviors that characterize wise living?

• As you grow in maturity in Christ, what are some old patterns that are fading away? What new patterns are replacing them?

friday

What Does Time Management Have To Do With Stewardship Of God's Resources?

Psalm 90 recalls a prayer of Moses as he prepared God's people to enter the Promised Land. An example of a life well lived, Moses knew the importance of maximizing the time granted us to accomplish God's purpose and fully serve God.

Psalm 90

• List the references to time in this psalm. What insight do you have as to what it means to rightly number your days?

• How are you doing in managing your time in a way that honors and serves God? What could be improved?

saturday

What Key Practice Do I Need To Develop To Become A Good Overall Steward Of God's Resources?

Your ability to manage God's resources well lies in your ability to embrace simplicity as a life discipline. Living with just one focus simplifies you on the inside and results in freedom from attachment to things, schedules, and the need for status, position, and success. Your focus is redirected to Christ alone.

Matthew 6:19-34 and 11:25-30

• Simplicity is an active pursuit, not a passive lifestyle. What one thing are you to pursue that will clarify your focus and simplify your life (Matthew 6:33)?

• One of the fruits of a simple lifestyle is greater freedom from worry and anxiety. What causes you the most worry? How could simplifying your life reduce the worry?