Purpose in Stewardship

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.’ So, God created human beings in his image. In the image of God, he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, ‘Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” – Genesis 1:26-28 NCV

“The Lord God put man in the garden of Eden to care for it and work it.” – Genesis 2:15 NCV “work it and keep it,” – serve by labor and observe, preserve, watch over

“So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one.” – Genesis 2:19 NLT

Stewardship – responsibility to look after, appointed to supervise, employed to manage another’s property

Note: God gives this opportunity for stewardship prior to sin, shame, brokenness, and consequences.

What do we believe? We share in “the family business” of God’s Kingdom on earth.

What do we learn?

1. God gives humanity identity, value, and purpose within the context of a relationship with Him.

2. God gives humanity an invitation to participate in the stewardship of our natural world.

3. This stewardship begins with learning to manage our own lives before it extends beyond.

4. God gives humanity an invitation to participate in the Kingdom of God, here and now.

New Covenant Perspective on Living by God’s Passionate Purpose:

· “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….Go make disciples,” – Matthew 28:18

· Jesus is “the head of the body, the church.” – Colossians 1:18

· “You are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9 NCV

· “…offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God,” – Romans 12:1

· “In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important. The important things are living right with God, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Anyone who serves Christ by living this way is pleasing God and will be accepted by other people.” – Romans 14:17-18 NCV

What should we do?

1. Receive love from God and respond with wholehearted joyful devotion.

2. Pray, inviting God’s perspective on your purpose.

3. Read today’s Scriptures and consider what God is communicating about the purpose for humanity.

4. Write, in your own words, God’s purpose for giving humanity the function of stewardship.

5. List your current areas of stewardship.

6. Prepare a plan to think through these areas between now and mid-February.

7. Pray asking God for wisdom about your circles of influence and possible expansion.

8. Pray: “God, I believe You are…because Jesus taught…I believe You gave me the opportunities of…for Your purpose of…”

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28