CENTRAL THOUGHT
Every believer should realize that God is the giver of life unto whom he/she is accountable.
TEXT: Eph. 5:15-17; 1 Cor.6:12-20.
INTRODUCTION
Stewardship encompasses different areas of human activity. As caretakers of God’s manifold resources believers are expected to demonstrate faithfulness, responsibility, and accountability in the areas of the use of time, body, and finances. God gives us time and other resources according to our abilities and expects us to invest them wisely until He returns. It is observed that many believers expend their God-given time on things that do not have eternal value or even of benefit to their lives. Inappropriate time-budgeting is also a big problem for us. Having an understanding that time is God-given, we must deploy it for optimal spiritual and material benefit.
In the same vein, some believers misuse their bodies and finances as though we are the sole owners. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are not our own and that we are bought with a price. It is the Lord that gives us the power to make wealth. Therefore, we are enjoined to glorify God in our bodies and finances, which are His.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the lesson are to:
- Explain how believers are stewards over their time, body and finances;
- Discuss how we can be good stewards over out time, bodies and finances; and
- Appreciate the rewards of good stewardship.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1.) DISCUSS HOW BELIEVERS ARE STEWARDS WITH REGARDS TO THE FOLLOWING
(a). Time: Ps.39:4, 90:9-12; Eph.5:15, 16. Time is an expendable resource that is universally applicable to all humans, given to man by God. In comparison with eternity, it is short and transient. Everyone has his/her own time apportioned to him/her by God. It is not how long one spends on earth that matters but how relevant and impactful our lives are to the rest of humanity. The Lord Jesus spent thirty three and half (33 ½) years on earth yet transformed the entire world for God.
The time we have now is borrowed. We are mere caretakers of it. We must learn to make the maximum use of our time. In doing this, diligence is required and procrastination must be avoided, remembering that we shall render account of it to God who gave it to us. Use it wisely.
(b). Our bodies: Gen.2:7; 1 Cor.6:19-20. The Almighty God, who created man in His image (Gen.2:7), is interested in our bodies as much as our soul and spirit. In fact, our bodies constitute the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We did not form or create ourselves. We are owned by God
(1 Cor.6:19).
Moreover, Jesus Christ purchased us back to God through His death on the cross (1 Cor.6:20). We are mere servants of God to render quality services to Him with our bodies. We shall as well render account to God on how we utilized our bodies while on earth.
(c ) . Our finances: Deut.8:18. Man is born naked into this this world and he exits naked (Job 1:21). Between the point of birth and death, all we acquire (material or financial) are therefore gifts from the Maker and owner of all things. (Ps.24:1). He is the one that apportions to everyone some measures of these resources for our well-being and that of others (Eph.4:28; Deut.8:18). Therefore , our finances are to be used to God’s glory. We are also, mere caretakers or stewards of the quantum of financial blessing at our disposal for which we are to render account to the owner (God).
QUESTION 2.) HOW CAN THE BELIEVER BE A GOOD STEWARD OF HIS TIME, BODY, AND FINANCES?
a.) Time: Ecc.3:1; 9:11; Eph.5:15-17; Col.4:5; Ps. 90:12.
Time on earth is a limited resource. Man’s life is segmented in relation to time, that is, for every stage of life, there is an associated developmental task. For instance, teenagers are expected to be going through the different levels of education or training. Therefore, we should make the most use of the opportunities that come our way (Ecc.3:1). The time available to us should be used wisely, while avoiding procrastination. Also, we should learn to manage our time well, to the benefit of all areas of our lives.
b)Our bodies: Gen.2:2; 1 Cor.3:16-17; 6:15-20.
Believers should always remember that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. They should keep them holy by abstaining from all forms of pollution. Sexual immorality (adultery, fornication, incest, lesbianism, homosexuality and bestiality) which are being practiced all over the world should not ever be mentioned amongst believers. Apart from the eternal consequence of damnation, their practices introduce into the human body so many diseases with their attendant miseries, stigma, and trauma. The believer should also be wary of the substances he/she takes into the body. Cigarette smoking and consumption of strong alcoholic drinks are certainly defilement of our fearfully and wonderfully made bodies. (Gen.9:18-27; Prov.20:1; 23:30-33; Isa.28:1,7; 56:10-12; Titus 1:7; Eph.5:18 e.tc.). The body should therefore be nourished with healthy foods. In order to keep the body fit and strong, for daily activities, the Christian should engage in physical activities appropriate to his age (1 Tim.4:8). As good stewards of our bodies, the child of God should adhere to good personal hygiene e.g. having a good shower, care of teeth, keeping of clothes very clean, modest dressing, etc. In addition, the believer should have a time set aside for rest.
c.) Our Finances: 1. Tim. 5:10, Prov.11:24 Deut.8:18. As good stewards of God’s manifold blessing, believers should remember that whatsoever financial resources they have are from God. We are mere caretakers. Therefore, we should fulfil our scriptural financial obligations to God and the needy. As good stewards, we must do proper planning (budgeting) before going on spending spree, so that we will be able to cater for the varied needs around us. We should not seal up our bowel of compassion towards the needy (Eph.4:28). As we do that, we should be committed to supporting the work of God in every respect- care of Ministers, sponsorship of missions, building Churches, etc. all in all, we should do everything to the glory of God.
QUESTION 3.) WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF A GOOD STEWARD?
MATT.25:21; 1 COR.3:12-15, 15:58
Every good steward shall receive commendation from the Lord and Master at the end. He will receive the blessing of inner peace arising doing the will of the Master. Our Lord is a good rewarder of those who diligently and faithfully serve Him. Therefore, the believer will receive all-round blessing on earth, and eternal rewards thereafter.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The Christian is in this world to basically fulfil God’s mandate. He is entrusted with responsibilities which he must carry out faithfully. Knowing that we shall give account of our stewardship to our Creator, we must pay heed to how we utilize our time, our bodies and our finances which are God’s. It is only those stewards who are found faithfully that will receive the Master’s commendation and rewards.
MEMORY VERSE:
1 COR.4:2
“Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
Mon: PROOF OF BEING STEWARDS OVER TIME.
Job.7:1-2; 14:1-5
Tue: EVIDENCE OF BEING STEWARDS OVER OUR BODIES.
Gen.2:7; 1Cor.6:19-20
Wed: PROOF OF BEING STEWARDS OVER OUR FINANCES.
Deut.8:17-18; Eph.4:28; Ps.24:1
Thu: HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE STEWARDS OF OUR TIME AND MONEY.
Ecc.3:1; 9:11; Eph.5:15-17; 1 Tim.5:10; Prov.11:24
Fri: BEING STEWARDS OVER OUR BODIES.
Gen.2:2; 1 Cor.6:15-20; 3:16-17
Sat: REWARDS OF GOOD STEWARDSHIP.
Matt.25:14-21, 31