STEWARDSHIP OF POSSESSIONS (Luke 12:15-21)

The teaching on Christian stewardship is not complete without examining our

Stewardship of possessions. God is concerned with how we acquire, manage and use
our possessions/resources.

1. Stewardship:

Merriam-Webster defined stewardship as the careful and responsible
management of something entrusted to ones care.
Christian stewardship can therefore be defined as, an attitude of systematic and
proportionate giving of life, time, abilities and material possessions, based on the
conviction that they are from God and meant to be used in His service for the benefit
and expansion of His kingdom.

2. Foundation for Stewardship

The basic foundation for Christian stewardship is the truth that God is the owner of
everything. Exo. 19:5; John 1:1, 3; Ps.24:1,2; Lev. 25:23; I Chr. 19:14; Ps. 50:10. God
owns everything and man is a trustee and caretaker over what He owns.

3. Biblical Foundation - Jam. 1: 17; I Tim. 6: 17.

The scripture is clear that God blesses his people with material blessings. He is the God
that loves to prosper His people - Job 36:11; II Cor. 8:9; Jos. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-3. Poverty is
a curse and material blessings are part of our redemption privileges.

Therefore, stewardship of possessions means - the faithful use of ones
possessions/resources for the advancement of Christs kingdom in this world.

5. Possession and Responsibilities - I Tim. 6:17.19.

Material possessions come along with many responsibilities. Gods purpose of blessing
us with such material possessions as cars, houses, mansions, clothing, and basic
necessities of life is not selfish and personal aggrandizement. It is for the glory of God
and the benefit of others. More material prosperities means more spiritual maturity and
capabilities to handle them in a wise way, else they quickly destroy.

6. Dangers of Material Possessions - Luke 12:13-21; Luke 21:34

There is acute danger of allowing our heart to mix with the sand and mud of this life
and forget the one who gave us richly all things to enjoy.

Tendency to trust in wealth and possess
Tendency to forgetting God
Tendency to be cold and lukewarm toward spiritual things
Covetousness
Greediness and lack of contentment
Dishonest gain and sinfulness

7. How to use our possessions for the Lord
Recognize His as the owner of all things
Dedicate and surrender all to Him
Do good and learn to give
Dont deprive the church the usage of your possessions
Learn to be content in whatever state you are
Dont approve yourself on the basis of material possessions
Determine to lay up your treasure in heaven - Matt. 6:21
Resist the temptation of materialism


Conclusion:
Our attitude toward stewardship is the yardstick to having possessions.
Christians are Stewards - I Pet. 4:1 0; Luke 19:13; Matthew 25: 14, 15.
A steward is a manager, caretaker of another mans property. We are all
managers of Gods property, God is the real owner. Our keeping of Gods property is
temporary. He is going to demand the account of our stewardship (Rom. 14: 12; II Cor.
5: 10; Luke 12:42-48). Hence, God calls us to be faithful - I Cor. 4:2; Matt. 25: 14.30.