March Teaching Series

STEWARDSHIP: AN IMPORTANT KEY TO SUCCESS
Rev. Alexander Garcia
Director for National Operations
March 7, 2008

Part 1

 1Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Cor. 4:1-5 NKJV)

OBJECTIVE: To establish God’s people in the area of stewardship faithfulness to obtain success in life.

INTRODUCTION:

We shall look at what the Bible says about stewardship and success. Is there a connection between   stewardship and success? Absolutely! Another important question is, “Does God wants me to succeed?” The Bible’s answer is a resounding “absolutely!” Why would the Lord Jesus come all the way from heaven to die on the cross for you to save you if God doesn’t want to save you? Why would Jesus take your sickness if He doesn’t want you to be healed?   Why would the Bible say, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.(2 Cor. 8:9), ”  if He doesn’t want you to prosper? Why would Jesus take and suffer our curse so that we could receive blessings, He doesn’t want us to be blessed? (Gal 3:13-14). The plain truth is that, in this life, God is not against us, He is for us.

God endowed each of us with abilities and creative potentials to succeed.  But you have the responsibility to believe and obey God. The real problem in life is not a sickness problem, or a poverty problem but a faith problem.

Then comes the practical part. Success won’t happen automatically, of course. We can’t be like the famed Filipino story of Juan Tamad who is just waiting for the guava fruit to fall down straight to his mouth without doing anything, and only to be outsmarted by a bird who took initiative to get the guava fruit instead! There’s no shortcut for success. No quick fixes. There are keys and laws that govern success in life. An important key and tool to achieve success is the key of stewardship.

Some people ask, “What had gone wrong with my life? Why can’t I succeed? It seems that success is so elusive to me? ” Upon studying the Scriptures and in observing life in general, I am fully persuaded that the area of stewardship is a good place to begin with to a person’s quest to a successful and fulfilled life.

Again, I would like to remind you that the idea that binds so many to defeat and oubt, “Maybe I’m not one of the lucky ones, that is why I don’t succeed. Maybe this is how my life will be the rest of my life.” is a big lie of the devil.

We know that God is not a liar.  “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19 NKJV).

So, what is keeping so many from achieving success and abundant life?  I believe it is lack of good stewardship. But once we apply these principles, you are literally setting into motion the positive forces attached to it. We need to faithfully apply this principle and God will surely release His breakthrough blessings.

              
I. STEWARDSHIP IS  A LAW OF LIFE  v1
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God”

The apostle Pal knew this so well. Knowing and understanding that stewardship is a law of life is the first principle in stewardship. Whether a person recognizes this or not, he is automatically subjected to the effects of stewardship. If you are a good steward, you will surely reap positive benefits. If you ignore it and become a bad steward, you will then reap a negative consequence. It is a law of life. Nobody can be exempted from it. That’s the characteristic of a law, we are subjected to it.

1. An important word we should notice here in verse 1 is the word “consider”. Consider means regard as, bear in mind, think about, take into account, be concerned about. The opposite meaning of consider is disregard. This means that the apostle Paul, in reminding the Corinthian believers, recognizes this truth himself -that he is a steward, a steward of the mysteries of God, a steward of sacred entrustments. As such, he has nothing to boast. That’s how the apostle Paul sees himself- a steward, not an owner. This is a healthy view and a correct understanding of your life. “I am a steward of everything God entrusted to me” This way you wont fall into the pitfall of pride and maintain humility instead.

That’s how we should look at the importance of stewardship. We are to consider it, regard it ( or respect it), bear it in mind, think about it, take it into account, be concerned about it , cooperate with it , and never to disregard it but apply it.  Don’t work against it , but rather take advantage of it.

2. See yourself as God’s steward

Likewise, it is absolutely important that you and I see ourselves as God’s stewards. God is saying here through this verse, “I created you. I caused your existence. I endowed you with all that you need to succeed. Be a good steward of all that I entrusted to you and you will succeed.”

We are to bear in mind or always remind ourselves about this law of life, “I am a steward.” Many people forget and violate this law. Instead of being mindful, they disregard it and so they suffer consequences.

3. Usage of the word steward.

• The word steward is from the Greek word “oikonomos” denoting “a manager of a house  or estate.” ( Katiwala; pinagtitiwalaan)
• It means being entrusted with something. We are to be stewards with everything God entrusted to us. Relationships, time, talents, finances, possessions. We know that we can trust God. An important question is, “Can God trust me?”
• Whatever is entrusted to us means, we need to protect it. It should not be improperly used, wasted, or neglected. It means we should be responsible with whatever is entrusted to us.

I’ve seen people who ignore this principle. They literally waste their lives. If you’re not a good steward, it just means that you are a waster. Many people don’t develop their lives and potentials. They don’t develop the different facets of their lives, when in fact they should. They neglect their spiritual, social, mental, emotional, physical development. The Lord Jesus is our number one model of stewardship. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”(Luke 2:52 NKJV)

4. Start with what you have

God can bless even the little that you have. Remember the 5 loaves and 2 fishes? Remember the poor widow who had nothing but a small bottle of oil and wheat? Stop reasoning out, “I’m too old, or I’m too young, or I have nothing.” You always have something in you, no matter how little it is, to start with. Remember David? It was just a small stone and a simple sling shot that he used to defeat Goliath. Start wit what you have, be a good steward of it, and you will see how God can multiply it!

 5. Nobody can violate the law of stewardship and still expect to succeed.

The truth is, nobody can violate the law of stewardship and still expect to succeed.

• If you’re not a good steward to your spouse and family, your family will not succeed.
• If you’re not a good steward to relationships, you’ll lose friends
• If you’re not a good steward to your finances, you’ll go broke and bankrupt
• If you’re not a good steward to your work, you can’t expect promotion.
• If you will not be a good steward to your God –given blessings and possessions, you will easily squander them like the prodigal son
• If you will not be a good steward to your time, you’ll be unproductive and lose many opportunities
• If you’re not a good steward to your body, don’t exercise and watch proper diet, you become sickly.
• If you’re not a good steward to your calling as a Christian, meaning, you don’t care enough whether you grow spiritually or not, you’ll suffer spiritual stagnancy, boredom and you will live unproductive Christian life.
• If you’re not a good steward of your relationship with God – you don’t really seek God, you neglect prayer and a sustained intake of His word, you are inconsistent in your church life- you will become spiritually complacent, suffer spiritual deterioration and even be in danger of eternal damnation and separation from God’s presence, if you don’t repent from that state.  David, God’s servant knew this so well.  That is why he cried a repentant cry, ”Cast me not away from thy presence O Lord” (Psalm 51). 

BUT:  If you are a good steward…

• You will grow spiritually and will be tremendously blessed by God
• Your spouse and children and entire family will be united and blessed. Remember that you may not be a Pastor in the church but, as Christian parent, God has set you to be the pastor of your family
• In your talents and honor and serve God with them. God will give you increase
• In your finances, spending wisely, saving intelligently, sowing generously and honoring God with your tithing faithfulness (Proverbs 3:9-10: Mal 3:8-10), you will prosper.

Stewardship is a principle you can’t afford to neglect. It is a law of life divinely set by God. It takes positive effect when you consider and recognize, like the apostle Paul, “I am a steward.”

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Part 2

II. STEWARDSHIP REQUIRES FAITHFULNESS v. 2

     “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”

It takes time to reap the fruits of stewardship. That is why faithfulness should be consistently applied. When you sow a seed of guava today, it takes time for it to become a tree and bear fruit. Many times we are impatient.

Notice the words “required” and “faithful”.  Faithfulness is not requested.  It is required in stewardship.  There’s no doubt that we want to be blessed, to succeed. We claim it. We pray for it.  But we need to be reminded that we can just claim breakthroughs in your relationships, business and any undertakings if we neglect faithfulness.  Why do we need to be faithful?

1. God expects us to be faithful.

 To be faithful means to be loyal, trustworthy, dependable, and reliable.  As those who received God’s grace, we ought to be faithful.  Faithfulness is a hallmark of the genuine people of God. “…and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”(Rev 17:14)

You need to consciously develop this virtue of faithfulness.  Don’t be impatient. Don’t quit easily. Be faithful.

Ask the following questions:

• Am I faithful to God?
• Am I faithful to what God entrusted to me?
• In what areas do I need to grow and improve the most in my life?
• How can I grow in faithfulness and stewardship?

All victorious Bible Characters are faithful. For a long as they as they remain faithful they become victorious and blessed in all that they do. 

• Moses- . “Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My    house.” (Numbers 12:7)
• Daniel- “So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” (Daniel 6:4 NKJV)
• Paul-  “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,”( I Tim 1:12 NKJV)

2. God rewards faithfulness (Matt 25: 14-30)

 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ V21, 23

The problem is not a lack of gift or talent and opportunities, but a lack of, or even the absence of faithfulness to what we already have. Example, the parable of the talents. The Master gave all the servants talents, each according to his ability. They have different results. The first two were productive and made proper use of the talents they received. The last one did not use

God rewards faithfulness not unfaithfulness. What lessons can we learn from the parable of the Lord Jesus?

• Each one received entrustments according to his ability  v15
• God wants us to make proper use of whatever is entrusted to us  v19
• God rewards us according to our faithfulness  v 21
• Not to use is to lose v28-29
• God will judge us for unfaithfulness  v.26,27,30 Listen to what the Lord said to the unfaithful servant

  But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest’.   (V.26-27)

‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (v. 30)

May we not take this lightly.

3. God Himself is faithful (2Tim 2:13)

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

When we are faithful to something small, God multiplies it.
How can we say we are faithful:
      When we honor our vows to God
     
III.STEWARDSHIP’S ULTIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY IS UNTO GOD v3-5

3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”

How to develop stewardship
       Practice it
       Persist on it
       Progress to it

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GOOD AND FAITHFUL STEWARDS
Rev. Alexander Garcia
Director for National Operations
March 21, 2008

“His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness.” (Matt. 25:21 also v.23)

TEXT: Matthew 24:14-30

INTRODUCTION:
Many people fail to see that life is matter of stewardship. They live as they please end up in despair and frustrations.

Christian are good stewards. We are stewards of the many graces of God. The Lord wants us to live life to the fullest (Jn. 10:10) and he gave us important principles that will help us achieve success and victories. The parable of the talents sheds light to this fact. .
We need to find out how to “make life work”. In God’s term.

I. STEWARDSHIP BEGINS BY ACKNOWLEDGING YOU HAVE A MASTER TO GIVE ACCOUNT (V. 14-15) The Law of Accountability.
1. As Christians we are stewards, not owners. We have a master (v.14).
• You didn’t just exist. Someone created you. God owns everything including you. “The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein, (Ps. 24:1) KJV
“For every animal of the forest is mine and the cattle a thousand hills.. for the world is mine and that is in it.” Ps. 50:10-12
• Misled life concepts:
1.“This is my life. I will do whatever I wish”. Yes gave you that life but you need to balance freedom and accountability if you want life to work with you.
2.“This is my money and possessions. I worked hard for this”. But who gave you the strength?
3. As God’s creation we are recipient and God is the giver. Everything comes from God (Matt. 25:15) God is not just the Creator; He is also the GIVER of everything. In the parable, the master entrusted his servants talents.Job said, “Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job. 1:21)
3. Why do you need accountability and stewardship?
• What you do in life will have consequences either good or bad.
• Without accountability and proper stewardship you will develop a wrong value system and harmful habits.
Philosophies will determine lifestyle. Once you live in the framework of proper accountability and stewardship, you will naturally develop a right value system. Those who break the law of accountability usually end up in a mess. Accountability and Stewardship develops when we know God’s place in our lives as our Master. Everything also revolves around this. God is our Master, we are his servants.

II. STEWARDSHIP ENTAILS FAITHFULNESS
(v. 16-23) The Law of Faithfulness.

1.Stewardship involves developing your life potentials to the maximum. This requires faithfulness.
• The first two servants maximized what was entrusted to him while the 3rd servant did nothing. The two were
faithful and other fearful.

Developing your life potentials involves two things:
a.Time: “The man who had received the five talents went at once..” (v.16a)
b.Effort “… and put his; money to work and gained 5 more.

The two servants wasted no time and made use whatever they have in power to make progress.
The “I have no time” syndrome is no excuse at all. It’s a matter of re-arranging your life priorities. All of us have 24
hrs. The one talented servant did not develop his potentials. He wasted TIME and didn’t exert effort.
2. Test your faithfulness as God’s steward by asking

3.How do I use the following?
o Money
o Talents and abilities
o Tongue
o Time
o Body

Am I a good steward of the many graces of God?
Remember that faithfulness starts in little things. The one talented servant could have thought his one talent isn’t that so significant. Many times we have the same attitude to our prayer time, tithing life and many others.

1.What does the bible say about finances?
Money, although, just one of the aspects of our total giving lifestyle is a visible test of our stewardship.
Money is not just a material issue. It is also a spiritual issue. ‘Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. (Matt. 6:21) Meaning, how will you spend your money show your heart condition. Stewardship deals so little with money and so much about your attitude.
What does the scripture say about our attitude towards money?

We need not make it God (Matt. 6:24)

We should tithe it (Mal . 3:8-10)

We should help others in need (Prov. 19:17)

We should support our families with it. (1 Tim. 5:8)

We should support the Lord’s work (2 Cor. 9:16)

We need to spend it wisely.

You want to have God’s favor and break poverty curse? Practice the principle of giving and tithing. The tithe is holy to the lord (Lev. 27:30). The issue here is not just giving money how we honor God with our finances. (Prov. 3:9-10)

III. STEWARDSHIP IS A REFLECTION WHETHER WE TRUST GOD AND HIS PROMISES. (v. 24-30) The Law of Trust.

1.We violate God’s principles because we don’t trust him enough and his word. So we go on our own ways.
• The one talented servant didn’t trust his master
NOTE: God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isa. 55:8-9)
2. The one talented servant has problems in stewardship
• He didn’t trust his master
We need to work unto God.
• He feared what other people will say.
• He is a man pleaser not a God pleaser.
• He became wicked servant. “…you wicked and lazy servant (v. 26)
3. The consequences he suffered.
• Because he did not use the talent, he lost it. (v. 28)
Because he did not treasure what his master entrusted to him, he suffered eternal rejection (v.30) He lost
everything. Why? He wasn’t a good steward. The first two servants were rewarded. He was judged. Do you
have any areas of your life where you are not practicing the law of stewardship.

CONCLUSION:
• it’s not all too late. Don’t be like the one talented servant. Instead of admitting his faults, he makes excuses, putting blames to others. “I was wrong” are words so hard to say. But we should remember that God exalts the humble.
• “Well done, good and faithful servants.” Aren’t these the words we want to hear from the Lord on that day? We’re going to hear the Lord say these precious and must awaited words if we begin practicing them today until he comes!

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LIVING AS GOD’S FAITHFUL STEWARDS
Rev. Alexander Garcia
Director for National Operations
March 28, 2008

 

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”   
(1 Corinthians 4:2 NIJV)
“More so it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (KJV)

INTRODUCTION:

1. A Math teacher says, “Let us have a quiz and see if you have the right answer.”  It’s not our purpose to understate academic correctness when we ask a similar question but not on Math. Although some, if not many, abhor Math!  “Let’s have a life quiz.” How do you see yourself in life- an OWNER or a STEWARD?”  I believe that the way we view life will affect the way we live.
2. The apostle Paul is telling the Corinthian believers that he and other ministers of the Gospel are stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1).  He further amplified the principles of stewardship in a larger sense of its use – to manage and administer resources of an owner he was entrusted with.

The apostle Paul, in taking the image of stewards in his ministry call, knows the ever important truth that makes LIFE INTACT.  It’s about the principle of stewardship

3. Principles of Stewardship
1. Life is a matter of stewardship (v.2)
2. Faithfulness is required in stewardship (V.2)
3. Accountability is an integral part of stewardship. (v.1)

I.  LIFE IS A MATTER OF STEWARDSHIP

From its Greek word OIKONOMOS, a STEWARD, means a house distributor, a manager (of resources and properties)
 
This points us to an important life perspective.  The accurate way to position yourself in this life is to be a STEWARD, not an owner.  Actually, we don’t own anything.  When you came out into this world, you have nothing.

Life should be viewed this way:

• The book of Genesis tells us how it all began.  It tells us how everything started including life.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…”
V.27-28, Key words are “subdue, rule.”  After creating everything, God created  man subdue/rule in other words “manage”.
You didn’t create yourself.  God is the creator, maker, owner and sustainer of all things.  Man is the recipient and STEWARD of God’s blessings (Gen. 1:1-27).  When God created man, He made him ruler/manager of His creation.

It tells us here that God is the Creator.

• The Psalmist recognizes this truth when he said, (Psalms 24:1)

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”  (NIV)

David goes back to the core of stewardship – God’s creation.  It’s always in this order.  It shows us very clearly the two opposing views:  God’s view and man’s view.

• God’s view emphasizes STEWARDSHIP
• Man’s view emphasizes OWNERSHIP

To see yourself as a steward is not only a healthy view of life, it is the BIBILICAL view of life as a Christian.

• Job recognized this truth in the midst of trial when he declared:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised.”  (Job. 1:21)

Job overcame because of this.  He acknowledged that :

• He is naked when he came into being – a sign of humility
• God has the power to give and take away.

All of God’s blessings are just like robes that could be placed or removed upon one’s life.

 II.  FAITHFULNESS IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDSHIP
     “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”
  

• “FAITHFUL” – in Greek is “PISTOS” which means trustworthy.

An employee in a  company or in any institution knows that it matters that he or she won’t lose the trust of his superiors.  He is aware that he is expected to manage or do well with whatever is entrusted to him.

• Having established the fact that we are “managers” of God’s resources, we

      should  not mismanage our lives.There is something more terrible than a     
mismanaged company – it is a mismanaged life.  The losses are greater.
  
QUESTION:  How do you manage your life?  How do you manage God-given giftings  
                      and talents?

• Giftings /Talents:  used for our flesh
• Resources/Possessions/business:  shady dealings
• Physical Body:  Abuse
• Spiritual Growth/Christian duties: Neglect
• God’s sacred call in your life:  neglect of duties
• Family:  neglect of duties
• Finances:  Lack of Financial Integrity
• Mind/emotions/Desires:  Allowing junk; Envy
• Relationships
• Tongue (James 3)
• Time

 

Practice faithfulness in all areas.  It should be applied in all aspects of life.  IF YOU’RE FAITHFUL WITH LITTLE, GOD WILL ENTRUST YOU WITH MUCH.

   

III.  ACCOUNTABILITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF STEWARDSHP
V.1,  “So then men ought to regard us as servants of Christ as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

We go back to verse 1 to get Paul’s admonition regarding their call as SERVANTS and STEWARDS.  These are two appropriate words for every servant and child of God.

1. To whom are we accountable?  It’s quite clear here that we are accountable to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Strong and mature Christians have a deep sense of ACCOUNTABILITY.  It means that Paul recognizes he is ANSWERABLE to somebody for those DIVINE ENTRUSTMENTS.  Stewardship fails when there’s no accountability.

Listen to Paul’s strong reminders:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may RECEIVE what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)

2. The underlying truth of stewardship if MAKING JESUS LORD of every aspect of your life – be it in the area of relationships, career, finances, ministry, God-given talents, etc. It will always do you good to remind yourself “I don’t own my life, I don’t own anything. I am a steward.  God owns me and all I have.  Jesus is my Lord.” 

CONCLUSION:
Good stewards will be rewarded.  If there are areas in your life that you’re not a faithful steward you’re reminded of, CHANGE THE WAY YOU LIVE.

Let’s go back to this life quiz:  “How do you see your life – an owner or a steward?”  It’s not condemnable if you fail in math but please don’t fail on this quiz.  You’ll be blessed.

If what you’re experiencing now isn’t what you expect, you’re not experiencing abundant life (John 10:10).  You mismanaged your life.  There’s hope, God can “repair” your life.  God can restore you.

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