March 11, 2011
Life is short. We know so many people who are hurting. Received an urgent prayer request for some friends of ours last night and have been praying for them often. Life is short!! And as Walt Wiley so clearly defined—we own nothing! Everything is the LORD's. We are only the managers. So, how are we doing with that?
Psalm 39:6 - "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro. He bustles about but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."
My notes from:
Steward—one who manages another's property or affairs. "Hey, Hey, Hey—that isn't yours!"
Luke 12
1) The steward was appointed to his position. It is God who providentially placed people in areas of responsibility.
2) There is always an emphasis on how well he carried out his responsibilities. God's expectation is that we will be responsible in the vineyard. He expects us to succeed.
3) The boss was not there to look over his shoulder. God gives us the freedom to do as we please in the vineyard.
4) Importance was given to how he treated those with whom he worked. God cares about people and will especially notice how we treat others from our position.
5) There was always the temptation to use the position for his own benefit. Human nature says if we are not careful we will work at seeing how the position in the vineyard can benefit us.
6) There was a frequent reminder that a day of reckoning would come and the overseer would return to see how things were progressing. The Bible clearly states that one day we will stand before God and give an account.
What you have:
- seldom brings contentment
- life becomes a quest to have more
- dissatisfaction becomes the basis for doing whatever it takes to get more
Steward of 3 things:
1) Me—Who am I? Formed by God; God knows me; died for all; our body is God's. It's not about me it is about Him! Appreciate who you are.
2) My things—What I have. Everything we have is from God. ALL from God. Praise Him for what you have.
3) My "thing"—What I do. The LORD gave us our passions; use it. I don't own it. I only manage. Thank Him for the way He has gifted you. Use it to glorify HIM.
Three major concerns for most people:
Things that:
- define us
- motivate us
- concern us
But! It's not about "us"!
The secret of being a good steward depends on your relationship to the Lord.
- Know Him
- Trust Him
- Desire to please Him
Tendencies of someone not thinking like a steward.
Controlling:
- always try to get your own way
- motivating others by fear and/or intimidation
- using others for your own agenda
- thinking you are the only person who can do it
- everything must go through you
- doing anything to hold on to your position
What do we try to control?
Circumstances—when we are to learn from them
People—when we are to serve them
God—when we are to yield to Him.
Your greatest strength pushed to an extreme becomes a weakness.
I cannot change others by direct action. I can only change myself. When I change, others will change in response to me.
Allow God to be God.
Being in charge—verses—being in control
Lead by example. Let others breathe. Run it. Learn. Grow. Experiment.
Pray. Be accountable. Apologize. Laugh.
Since it is not yours—stop controlling!
Since it is not yours—stop bragging!
We begin to think:
- I did it (But for God!)
- I'm better
- I deserve (All for the glory of God!)
Bragging—speaking with exaggeration, pride, etc.
Things going well can prevent us form thinking like stewards.
Stewards:
- know who made it possible
- point to who makes it happen
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Saul went looking for a donkey... and was made king. Saul didn't remember who made him king and it became all about "I." He was arrogant and full of pride. He took the glory for what Jonathon did. He built monuments to himself. Eventually he became paranoid and his life ended in death and shame.
To change:
- Remember Philippians 2:3–4
- Be accountable
- Recall who assisted you in your success
Walking by Faith has to be from the view of a steward.
Since it's not yours—stop abusing it.
Ways in which we all are like Saul:
- given something
- didn't seek it
- something unique
Abusing what God has given us:
- use it to excuse our behavior
- use it to exalt ourselves
- use it and create envy
Use:
- put into action or service
- to do something with
Abuse:
- use incorrectly
- the improper use of something
Sacrifice—verses—Obedience
God is only interested in our obedience. That is what is important. "With" God is more important than "for" God.
Sacrifice—people may excuse their behavior and use things for their own benefit with the "excuse" of using for God.
Next Entry: Psalm 40:1 – 41:13
Life is short. We know so many people who are hurting. Received an urgent prayer request for some friends of ours last night and have been praying for them often. Life is short!! And as Walt Wiley so clearly defined—we own nothing! Everything is the LORD's. We are only the managers. So, how are we doing with that?
Psalm 39:6 - "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro. He bustles about but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."
My notes from:
Effectively Handling All That You Have ~ By Walt Wiley
Steward—one who manages another's property or affairs. "Hey, Hey, Hey—that isn't yours!"
Luke 12
1) The steward was appointed to his position. It is God who providentially placed people in areas of responsibility.
2) There is always an emphasis on how well he carried out his responsibilities. God's expectation is that we will be responsible in the vineyard. He expects us to succeed.
3) The boss was not there to look over his shoulder. God gives us the freedom to do as we please in the vineyard.
4) Importance was given to how he treated those with whom he worked. God cares about people and will especially notice how we treat others from our position.
5) There was always the temptation to use the position for his own benefit. Human nature says if we are not careful we will work at seeing how the position in the vineyard can benefit us.
6) There was a frequent reminder that a day of reckoning would come and the overseer would return to see how things were progressing. The Bible clearly states that one day we will stand before God and give an account.
What you have:
- seldom brings contentment
- life becomes a quest to have more
- dissatisfaction becomes the basis for doing whatever it takes to get more
Steward of 3 things:
1) Me—Who am I? Formed by God; God knows me; died for all; our body is God's. It's not about me it is about Him! Appreciate who you are.
2) My things—What I have. Everything we have is from God. ALL from God. Praise Him for what you have.
3) My "thing"—What I do. The LORD gave us our passions; use it. I don't own it. I only manage. Thank Him for the way He has gifted you. Use it to glorify HIM.
Three major concerns for most people:
Things that:
- define us
- motivate us
- concern us
But! It's not about "us"!
The secret of being a good steward depends on your relationship to the Lord.
- Know Him
- Trust Him
- Desire to please Him
Tendencies of someone not thinking like a steward.
Controlling:
- always try to get your own way
- motivating others by fear and/or intimidation
- using others for your own agenda
- thinking you are the only person who can do it
- everything must go through you
- doing anything to hold on to your position
What do we try to control?
Circumstances—when we are to learn from them
People—when we are to serve them
God—when we are to yield to Him.
Your greatest strength pushed to an extreme becomes a weakness.
I cannot change others by direct action. I can only change myself. When I change, others will change in response to me.
Allow God to be God.
Being in charge—verses—being in control
Lead by example. Let others breathe. Run it. Learn. Grow. Experiment.
Pray. Be accountable. Apologize. Laugh.
Since it is not yours—stop controlling!
Since it is not yours—stop bragging!
We begin to think:
- I did it (But for God!)
- I'm better
- I deserve (All for the glory of God!)
Bragging—speaking with exaggeration, pride, etc.
Things going well can prevent us form thinking like stewards.
Stewards:
- know who made it possible
- point to who makes it happen
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Saul went looking for a donkey... and was made king. Saul didn't remember who made him king and it became all about "I." He was arrogant and full of pride. He took the glory for what Jonathon did. He built monuments to himself. Eventually he became paranoid and his life ended in death and shame.
To change:
- Remember Philippians 2:3–4
- Be accountable
- Recall who assisted you in your success
Walking by Faith has to be from the view of a steward.
Since it's not yours—stop abusing it.
Ways in which we all are like Saul:
- given something
- didn't seek it
- something unique
Abusing what God has given us:
- use it to excuse our behavior
- use it to exalt ourselves
- use it and create envy
Use:
- put into action or service
- to do something with
Abuse:
- use incorrectly
- the improper use of something
Sacrifice—verses—Obedience
God is only interested in our obedience. That is what is important. "With" God is more important than "for" God.
Sacrifice—people may excuse their behavior and use things for their own benefit with the "excuse" of using for God.
Next Entry: Psalm 40:1 – 41:13
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