The Joy of Being a True Steward of God - Bro Vincent Leong

GOSPEL READING : MATTHEW 25:14-30

PAGBASA SA EBANGHELYO NI SAN MATTHEW KABANATA DALAWAMPU'T LIMA TALATA LABING-APAT HANGGANG TATLUMPU

14 "At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there was a man who was about to leave home on a trip; he called his servants and put them in charge of his property. 15 He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip. 16 The servant who had received five thousand coins went at once and invested his money and earned another five thousand. 17 In the same way the servant who had received two thousand coins earned another two thousand. 18 But the servant who had received one thousand coins went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.19 "After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The servant who had received five thousand coins came in and handed over the other five thousand. 'You gave me five thousand coins, sir,' he said. 'Look! Here are another five thousand that I have earned.' 21 'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!' 22 Then the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, 'You gave me two thousand coins, sir. Look! Here are another two thousand that I have earned.' 23 'Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. 'You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!' 24 Then the servant who had received one thousand coins came in and said, 'Sir, I know you are a hard man; you reap harvests where you did not plant, and you gather crops where you did not scatter seed. 25 I was afraid, so I went off and hid your money in the ground. Look! Here is what belongs to you.' 26 'You bad and lazy servant!' his master said. 'You knew, did you, that I reap harvests where I did not plant, and gather crops where I did not scatter seed? 27 Well, then, you should have deposited my money in the bank, and I would have received it all back with interest when I returned. 28 Now, take the money away from him and give it to the one who has ten thousand coins. 29 For to every person who has something, even more will be given, and he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing, even the little that he has will be taken away from him. 30 As for this useless servant-throw him outside in the darkness; there he will cry and gnash his teeth.'

WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP? STEWARDSHIP defines....

 A man's relationship to God.

 It identifies God as owner and man as manager.

 God makes man His co-worker in administering all aspects of our life.

 Is not God taking something from us; it is His method of bestowing His richest gifts upon His people.

 Our practical obedience in the administration of everything under our control, everything entrusted to us.

 It is the consecration of one's self and possessions to God's service.

 Acknowledges in practice that we do not have the right of control over ourselves or our property-God has that control.

1 Corinthians 3:9

9 For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building.

1 Corinthians 9:17

17 If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task.

In the New Testament, "STEWARDSHIP"

The first word ISEPITROPOS which means "manager, foreman, or steward."

The second word ISOIKONOMOS. It also means "Steward, Manager, Or Administrator"

RECAP: TRUE REPENTANCE IS THE KEY TO TOTAL HEALING AND RESTORATION

1-ADMIT YOUR SINS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT - SIRACH 4:26-28/EZEKIEL 18:21

2-BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD - ROMANS 10:9-10

3-COMMIT YOURSELF TO THE LORD AND OBEY HIM - PROVERBS 3:6-8

4-LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND AND SOUL - DEUT.6:4-5/ SIRACH 7:27-29

5-ACCEPT THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS AND PEACE - LUKE 7:48-50

6-TURN AWAY FROM SIN & BE FAITHFUL - REVELATION 2:16-17/SIRACH 17:24-25

7-BE BAPTIZED AND RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT - ACTS 2:38

THE JOY OF BEING A TRUE STEWARD OF GOD

1- GENEROUS GIVING - SIRACH 35:7-10

2- SELF - DISCIPLINE - SIRACH 1:22-24 / SIRACH 5:8-10

3- SUBMISSIVENESS - SIRACH 3:18

4- STRONG VISSION & GODLY DESIRE - 1 PETER 5:2

5- PATIENCE AND EFFORT - SIRACH 3:12-14

6- RIGHTEOUS LIVING - PSALM 15:2 / SIRACH 3:2-6

7- FAITHFULNESS - 1 CORINTHIANS 4:2

1- GENEROUS GIVING - SIRACH 35:7-10

7 The Lord will accept the offerings made by a righteous person and will not forget them. 8 Praise the Lord by making generous offerings to him; don't be stingy with the first of your crops. 9 Be cheerful with every gift you make, and when you pay your tithes, do it gladly. 10 Give to the Most High as he has given to you, just as generously as you can.

2- SELF - DISCIPLINE - SIRACH 1:22-24

22 There is no excuse for unjustified anger; it can bring about your downfall. 23 Wait and be patient, and later you will be glad you did. 24 Keep quiet until the right time to speak, and you will gain a reputation for good sense.

SIRACH 5:8-10

8 Don't rely on dishonest wealth; it will do you no good on that day of disaster.9-10 Be certain about what you believe and consistent in what you say. Don't try to please everyone or agree with everything people say.

3- SUBMISSIVENESS - SIRACH 3:18

18 The greater you become, the more humble you should be; then the Lord will be pleased with you.

4- STRONG VISSION & GODLY DESIRE - PETER 5:2

2 to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve.

5- PATIENCE AND EFFORT - SIRACH 3:12-14

12 My child, take care of your father when he grows old; give him no cause for worry as long as he lives. 13 Be sympathetic even if his mind fails him; don't look down on him just because you are strong and healthy. 14 The Lord will not forget the kindness you show to your father; it will help you make up for your sins.

6- RIGHTEOUS LIVING - PSALM 15:2

2 Those who obey God in everything and always do what is right, whose words are true and sincere,

SIRACH 3:2-6

2 for the Lord has given fathers authority over their children and given children the obligation to obey their mothers. 3 If you respect your father, you can make up for your sins, 4 and if you honor your mother, you are earning great wealth. 5 If you respect your father, one day your own children will make you happy; the Lord will hear your prayers. 6 If you obey the Lord by honoring your father and making your mother happy, you will live a long life.

7- FAITHFULNESS - 1 CORINTHIANS 4:2

2 The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master.

CONCLUSION: 1 PETER 4:10

10 Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.