A Review of the Quarter

Lesson one: Everything that physically and materially exists was made by God and belongs to God. Those who temporarily "possess" the physical and material are custodians. God wanted Israel to understand their existence was sustained by God, not by the physical and material. The wilderness experience was to provide that education and understanding. God wants the Christian to understand the same truth. Jesus' death and the resurrection are to provide us that education and understanding.

Lesson two: Materialism is a philosophy of life. It determines how a person lives and how he or she uses life. Materialism declares that the spiritual is either (a) nonexistent or (b) secondary to the material. This philosophy declares a person's security and significance is determined by "I." "I am in control. What I have is mine. I have it because of me." Materialism declares the person is his or her own god. It promotes greed. Jesus declared the significance of a person's life is not measured by his or her possessions. Greed in any form is always an enemy and never his or her friend. The rich man had no sense of God in his blessings. In his greed, he saw no opportunity to help others. Everything he gained was for his benefit. The purpose of life was providing himself a future of ease. He felt no sense of responsibility toward other people. His significance was vested in his possessions, and death would rob him of those.

Lesson three: These are the basic understandings of Christian stewardship: (1) Much is expected of the person to whom much has been entrusted. The most is expected from the person to whom the most is entrusted. (2) Christians are to use the material to achieve God's purposes. If we apply the diligence, insights, and understandings we use when we seek our own interests to seeking God's interest, we will become useful stewards in God's service. (3) A Christian never forgets that he or she is a servant, never the owner.

Lesson four: Paul was (and is) and excellent example of Christian stewardship. The power of Paul's example is seen in the contrast between Paul the Pharisee prior to the Damascus Road encounter with the resurrected Jesus, and Paul the Christian after his baptism in Damascus. As a Christian, God entrusted Paul (1) with a mission to people who were not Jews; (2) with an understanding of the mysteries of God in Christ (which he was to share with others); and (3) with an understanding of God's grace (which he was to share with Jews and people who were not Jews). We are to use all God entrusts to us to benefit others. That responsibility goes far beyond material blessings.

Lesson five: The keys to a Christian's existence as a godly steward are attitude and perspective. Destructive attitudes and perspectives are seen in (1) the rich fool who did not view God as a part of life; (2) the rich, young ruler who thought the key to eternal life was found in obeying the right commands (rules, regulations, statutes); and (3) the prodigal son's older brother who was convinced that his "goodness" was verified by his brother's mistakes. Godly attitudes and perspectives are seen in the penitent prodigal son and in life's behavioral redirection presented in Romans 12:1 through 15:33.

Lesson six: Jesus' focus on God's blessings was in radical contrast to the typical Jewish focus of the first century. When Jesus declared that wealth opposed spirituality instead of rewarding spirituality, the twelve were confused. He said the source of divine reward for spirituality was (1) relationship with God and (2) relationship with people who belonged to God. Jesus declared that God's reward to the Christian steward would be abundant and would far exceed anything the material could offer. Serving God would create conflict and enemies, but it grants us unimaginable blessings in God's kingdom.

Lesson seven: Christian stewardship is a complex concept, not a simple concept. Many things discourage the Christian from giving serious consideration to serving as God's steward. Jesus warned his disciples not to pattern their perspectives or behavior after the scribes, a prominent group of religious leaders in Judaism. The heart and soul of stewardship was not seen in their posturing or gifts, but in a powerless widow who had nothing but gave everything.

Lesson eight: In first century Christianity, one of the greater struggles was the struggle to produce acceptance and fellowship between Jewish Christians and Christians who were not Jews. The exclusivism of many converted Jews often produced a rejection of Christians who were not Jews. Paul used stewardship to address and attack that rejection. Christians who were not Jews send relief funds to Jewish Christians living in Palestine. Paul used stewardship to address a serious problem among Christians. That is the Jerusalem principle of stewardship.

Lesson nine: Macedonian Christians were among the poorest of the poor. They wanted to participate in the collection gathered for needy Jews in Palestine. They insisted that Paul take their contribution. They gave because they first gave themselves to the Lord. They had a need to express their gratitude and show their appreciation for their salvation in Christ. Every Christian, regardless of his or her economic circumstances, needs to express appreciation and show gratitude for his or her salvation. That is the Macedonian principle of stewardship.

Lesson ten: God blessed Abraham with the intention and expectation that Abraham would be a blessing. God's amazing promises to Abraham were not for the exclusive, selfish benefit of Abraham. They were intended to produce (eventually) a blessing that would benefit the world. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. That is the Abraham principle of stewardship.

Lesson eleven: Joseph endured horrible experiences. He was captured and sold as a slave by his own brothers. The lies of his master's wife sent him to prison. The king's servant whom Joseph helped in prison forgot Joseph when this servant was released from prison.

Joseph matured and committed himself to God's principles when he faced grave hardship. He was loyal and devoted to God as God's person when bad experiences worsened. Joseph was true to his devotion to God regardless of bad circumstances or horrible situations. That is the Joseph principle of stewardship.

Lesson twelve: Understanding stewardship has little value if the individual Christian does not commit himself or herself to the concept. When we seek God's blessings, our motives must be to serve God's purposes. Neither selfishness nor greed can be our motive. If we seek blessings for the purpose of enabling ourselves to satisfy our pursuit of pleasure and ungodly living, we commit spiritual adultery. We seek an understanding of the principles of stewardship to exist as God's steward.