Study #16

When Adam sinned, he sold the whole human race to Satan. As a result, Scripture tells us that, apart from the redemption we have through Jesus Christ, the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. That is why Jesus referred to Satan as the “prince of this world” on more than one occasion (see John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
When we, by faith, accept Christ as our personal Saviour, we not only pass from death to life, or from condemnation to justification, but we also change our spiritual citizenship from this doomed world under Satan and we become citizens of heaven, the kingdom of God (1 John 5:19).
Therefore, as Christians we are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We acknowledge God’s ownership of all that we are and have by faithful service to Him and our fellowman. We also acknowledge His ownership by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church, the body of Christ.
True Christian stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. As ambassadors of Christ we represent Him here on earth by our faithful stewardship to the gospel commission. This is what this study on Christian stewardship is all about.

1. To whom does this earth and all it contains belong?

Psalm 24:1 __________________________________________________

2. To whom did God give dominion over this earth and all that it contains?

Psalms 8:4-8 __________________________________________________

3. Who claimed this dominion when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness?

Luke 4:5,6 __________________________________________________

Note: At creation God placed man in charge of all that He had created (see Genesis 1:26). When Adam and Eve sinned, Satan usurped this dominion and became the prince of this world. Therefore, apart from the redeeming grace of Christ, humanity is a slave to Satan. This is mankind’s predicament.

4. What price did Christ pay in order to redeem the human race?

1 Peter 1:18-19 __________________________________________________

Note: The word “blood” in the Bible represents life, and shed blood means life laid down in death. This was the infinite price Christ paid for our redemption.

5. When was this infinite price paid?

John 12:31-33 __________________________________________________

Note: When Christ laid down His life in death at the cross, He was paying the infinite price for our sins by accepting its wages on man’s behalf. Therefore, when we by faith accept Christ as our Saviour we also recognize Him as our Lord and Master.

6. As a result of what happened at the cross, to whom do Christians belong?

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 __________________________________________________

Note: At the cross Christ reclaimed as His own that which man had surrendered to Satan at the Fall. Because Christians have accepted this salvation in Christ, God now appoints His people to serve as stewards of His possessions.

7. How are Christians to acknowledge God’s ownership?

1 Corinthians 10:31 __________________________________________________

Note: Life can be divided into four basic areas, each a gift from God. He gave us a body, abilities, time, and material possessions. As God’s stewards we must take care of all four as faithful stewards.

8. What does God require of believers as His stewards?

1 Corinthians 4:2 __________________________________________________

Note: A steward is a person entrusted with management of the estate of another. To the Christian, stewardship means being responsible for, and the use of, everything entrusted to the believer by God — life, physical being, time, talents, and possessions.

9. What is our main responsibility as God’s stewards?

2 Corinthians 5:20 __________________________________________________

Note: As God’s stewards, our main responsibility is to witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to our fellowman. This means sharing with others the good news of the gospel, that in Jesus Christ they have already been reconciled to God (verses 18, 19).

10. To whom are we to administer the gifts God has given us?

1 Peter 4:10 __________________________________________________

11. What are we to avoid as God’s faithful stewards?

1 Timothy 6:20 __________________________________________________

Note: As God’s faithful stewards, we are to avoid any controversy that creates doubts about God or what He has revealed in His Word. True faith is taking God at His word even though it may disagree with our rationale or the opinions of science.

12. What is the root of all evil that we must avoid as faithful stewards?

1 Timothy 6:10 __________________________________________________

Note: Please notice that the text does not say that money is the root of all evil but the love of it. Money is the ingredient that runs this world. As citizens of heaven it is not a sin to be rich, but we must not make money our god. Like the apostle Paul, we must learn to be content with whatever condition we find ourselves in (read Philippians 4:11-13).

13. What are we guilty of when we fail to support God’s church in tithes and offerings?

Malachi 3:8-10 __________________________________________________

Note: The tithe is a tenth of all that we earn, and offerings are what we give of our own free will for the cause of God. When we fail in these things it is an outward sign that our faith in God’s ability to take care of us is weak. Please notice that when the Jews failed to pay tithes and offerings, this was an indication that they had turned their backs on God (read verses 6,7).

14. Who are the two masters we cannot serve at the same time?

Matthew 6:24 __________________________________________________

Note: Money is the god of this world. Therefore, one cannot make money one’s god and at the same time be loyal to Christ. Being a Christian means we become totally God-dependent.

15. On whom must we Christians fully rely for our every need?

Matthew 6:33 __________________________________________________

Note: To understand the full implication of this statement, please read verses 25-34. Here Jesus is teaching His followers that, when we become Christians, we must place ourselves entirely in the hands of God for our every need. This does not mean we must not work for our living but that our ultimate confidence for survival is God, who is able to supply all our needs.

16. How should we live while we patiently wait for the Lord’s return?

Luke 19:13 __________________________________________________

17. Since we Christians admit we belong to God, how should we live?

Romans 14:8 __________________________________________________

Note: Because by faith we admit we belong to God, we must consider everything we are and have as God’s — our bodies, our money, our time, and all our God-given abilities. To be faithful stewards, we must join Paul in declaring: For me to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21).

18. What attitude should believers have regarding their possessions?

Acts 4:32 __________________________________________________

Note: The idea that all we possess belongs to God is not easy for our sinful natures to accept. It is only through experiencing the power of the cross that we can accept this fact and really know this truth.

19. How much did Jesus say the poor widow gave to God?

Mark 12:41-44 __________________________________________________

Note: This poor widow gave what she really needed to survive. In giving all to the cause of God, she was manifesting complete faith in God’s promise to take care of her. This is true stewardship.

20. After admonishing young Timothy to flee from covetousness, what six things did he advise him to follow after?

21. What is the greatest battle we engage in our Christian walk?

1 Timothy 6:12 __________________________________________________

Note: Because Christians are citizens of heaven but live on earth, Satan’s domain, our faith will always be tested. This is especially true in the areas of stewardship. Faithful stewardship is a vital part of our fight against unbelief.

22. What warning does the writer of Hebrews give to his readers?

Hebrews 3:12 __________________________________________________

Note: To say good-bye to your faith in Christ is to say good-bye to salvation in Christ (see Hebrews 10:35-39). Christian stewardship is an outward evidence of our faith walk with Christ. This is what Christ will say of all faithful stewards: Well done, thou good and faithful servants: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord (Matthew 25:21). May this be true of you.