the Fundamentals-- Spiritual Discipline:Giving Questions for Discussion and Reflection

This week we focus on the spiritual discipline of stewardship. As Christians we demonstrate biblical stewardship when we invest our time, talent and treasure for God’s purposes. Randy Alcorn in his book, The Treasure Principle, writes, “If God (is) the owner, I (am) the manager. I need to adopt a steward’s mentality… A steward manages assets for the owner’s benefit.. It’s his job to find out what the owner wants done and with his assets, then carry out his will.” (Page 25) What insights do you gain from the following Scriptures in relation to the following principles of stewardship?

God is the ultimate and rightful Owner of everything—

     Psalm 24:1—

     Haggai 2:8—

     James 1:17—

The steward belongs to God— “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

     Romans 1:6—

     Philippians 1:1—

     2 Timothy 2:24—

Stewards seek to faithfully manage all with which they are entrusted—

     Malachi 3:8—

     Mark 12:41-44—

     James 4:13-15—

     Acts 4:32-37—

Read Acts 19:17-19. How did these new Ephesian believers demonstrate biblical stewardship?

Take some time to examine your use of the talents, time and treasure God has entrusted to you. Do your actions show you an owner or steward? What steps is the Holy Spirit leading you to take as a result of this study?