Lesson 11

Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the children of God and of God's family, the church. Through this activity all life and every life resource is given according to God's will.

Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the children of God and of God's family, the church. Through this activity all life and every life resource is given according to God's will.

“God has lent men talents--an intellect to originate, a heart to be the place of His throne, affection to flow out in blessings to others, a conscience to convict of sin. Each one has received something from the Master, and each one is to do his part in supplying the needs of God's work…

Property is a talent… we are to trade on our pence and our pounds, returning our freewill offerings to Him to sustain His work, to bring souls to Christ.

Speech is a talent… It is to be used to declare God's wisdom and wondrous love.

Strength is a talent… Our bodies belong to Him. He has paid the price of redemption for the body as well as for the soul.

Influence is a talent… The practical benevolence, the self-denial and self-sacrifice, which mark the life of a man, have an influence for good upon those with whom he associates.”

E.G.W. (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 114-115)

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them

to each one, just as he determines”(1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV)

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them

to each one, just as he determines”(1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV)

Besides the talents we have seen, which WE ALL have, there are others that God gives to each person to use for His service:

Gift for preach.

Musical composition.

Identifying the needs of others.

Visiting the sick, and encouraging them.

Deaconship.

Explaining clearly the doctrines.

…

E.G.W. (The Upwardd Look, p. 379)

“God has put men and women inpossession of precious gifts. To differentones He has given different gifts. Not allhave the same strength of character or the same depth of knowledge. But each

one is to use his gifts in the Master's service,

however small this gift may seemto be. The faithful stewardtrades wisely on the goods

entrusted to him”

“God has put men and women inpossession of precious gifts. To differentones He has given different gifts. Not allhave the same strength of character or the same depth of knowledge. But each

one is to use his gifts in the Master's service,

however small this gift may seemto be. The faithful stewardtrades wisely on the goods

entrusted to him”

Time is a gift from God which we must organize wisely…Time is a gift from God which we must organize wisely…

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity

under heaven”

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity

under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Time for communion with God.

Time to study the Bible.

Time for the family.

Time to help others.

Time for recreation.

Time to work.

…

Time for communion with God.

Time to study the Bible.

Time for the family.

Time to help others.

Time for recreation.

Time to work.

…

“Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life.”

E.G.W. (The Faith I Live By, p. 158)

“We are not our own. We have been purchased with a dear price, even the sufferings and death of the Son of God [1 Corinthians 6:20]. If we could understand this, and fully realize it, we would feel a great responsibility resting upon us to keep ourselves in the very best condition of health, that we might render to God perfect service.”(E.G.W. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 354)

“We are not our own. We have been purchased with a dear price, even the sufferings and death of the Son of God [1 Corinthians 6:20]. If we could understand this, and fully realize it, we would feel a great responsibility resting upon us to keep ourselves in the very best condition of health, that we might render to God perfect service.”(E.G.W. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 354)

Rest.

Work.

Exercise.

Food.

Sleep.

Taking care of the "soul avenues”.

…

Keeping the best health involves a balance of:

“The light God has given on health reform is for our salvation and the salvation of the world. Men and women should be informed in regard to the human habitation, fitted up by our Creator as His dwelling place and over which He desires us to be faithful stewards. "For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (2 Cor. 6:16).”

E.G.W. (Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 461)

God owns all we have.

We return Him one tenth of what it is His.

We must manage properly the rest of the possessions God has assigned us as stewards.

The more we give to God, the morewe benefit.

“Everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what

is tours”1 Chronicles 29:14

“God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Every good thing of earth was placed here by the bountiful hand of God as an expression of His love to man. The poor are His, and the cause of religion is His. The gold and the silver are the Lord's; and He could rain them from heaven if He chose.

E.G.W. (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 15)

But instead of this He has made manHis steward, entrusting him with means,

not to be hoarded, but to be used inbenefiting others. He thus makes man the

medium through which to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence,in order that man might become like his Creator,

benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with Christ of the eternal, glorious

reward”

We are waiting for the Owner of everything to return. Soon He will come and will want to know what we have done with our gifts, our time, our physical strength, and our

material resources.

May you hear these words when the Lord returns:

“Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of

your master”Matthew 25:23

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?

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