READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | This Stewardship Sunday, we read David’s prayer after he appealed to Israel to share in the cause of building the First Temple. God refused King David’s offer to build the Temple as he had shed too much blood in war. Nevertheless, David passionately assembled resources for his son Solomon to oversee the building project. He amassed precious metals, jewels, durable wood, and even gave generously out of his private treasure. Inspired by his devotion, Israel’s leaders gave out of their own pockets willingly, generously and wholeheartedly. Their collective contribution would be worth 27 billion USD today. David’s prayer reflects the joy of the faith community. It gives us a good understanding of biblical stewardship and shows us how we can pray for our own stewardship in Wesley as we thinking about our giving for Vision 2035
Stewardship can be understood as everything we do after we say, “I believe”. Jesus said that no one can serve 2 masters, we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Stewardship is more than managing money; it is about surrendering our resources completely to allow Jesus to have full control over our lives. A good understanding of letting God lead us will help us to live out the abundant life that Jesus promised, with great joy and gratitude.
Good and faithful stewardship involves giving to God:
1. As an act of worship (v10-13)
David worshipped God for His abundant provision, which enabled Israel to give generously and cheerfully. As Creator, God sovereignly owns the world. As King, God providentially supplies all human power and strength. As the Source of all riches and power, everything ultimately belongs to God. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). Our only appropriate response is to worship God by giving back a portion of what He has first given us.
Ancient Israel had a sacrificial system of offering to God what was precious and of worth to them. As the modern-day equivalent, tithes and offerings go beyond covering the operational budget of the church – they are our act of worship in which we express our gratitude and reliance on God. They are divine invitations to give up something important to us. Our hard-earned money can become our idol if we are not careful. When we set aside a portion as a sacrifice to God, it provides an opportunity to express our love to our Heavenly Father. Giving is a natural expression of love and appreciation. We do not give out of obligation, but with willing and grateful hearts because God has given us the most extravagant gift – for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). God gives because He loves us. When we give back to God in worship, we reflect His love to Him.
2. As an expression of faith (v14-16)
The Israelites could not claim ownership of their resources because they were merely stewards of God’s property and possessions. In Creation, God created all beings and resources, and then He empowered Humans to care for them (Genesis 1:26). God is the true owner of all resources; He merely entrusts us to use His property generously and wisely to advance His Kingdom. Jesus told multiple parables concerning stewardship to emphasise the responsible management of God’s resources. Would Jesus describe us as “good and faithful” or “wicked and lazy” servants?
In the Biblical worldview, bad stewardship is not a matter of negligence or carelessness but is rooted in a misunderstanding of the true ownership of resources. If we misappropriate ownership of God’s resources for ourselves, we naturally mismanage God’s resources – either by depriving others of their rightful property (Matthew 21:33-43) or by hoarding material resources to ineffectually assuage our fear of scarcity, while neglecting to use them freely and wholeheartedly for God’s Kingdom (Luke 12:16-21).
3. With a heart fully devoted to God (v17-19)
David petitioned for God to turn the hearts of Israel towards Him and to give Solomon a faithful heart to complete the building. The true offering that delights God are hearts devoted to Him, with sincere motivation to honour Him through generous giving. Of all the people who contributed to Herod’s Temple, Jesus specifically recognised the poor widow who contributed 2 copper coins. Although her gift may appear insignificant in monetary value, Jesus understood that the generosity of her heart far exceeded the rich people who had contributed lavishly – because the rich gave what they would not miss, but the poor widow gave all that she had out of her poverty, and Jesus was moved by her extravagant sacrificial giving (Mark 12:43). Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). It is not the size of our financial contribution that impresses Jesus, but the pure heart of a true giver, which confirms our confidence in God and our desire to participate in His Kingdom’s work. The heart of a true giver affirms God’s work with words and actions. It gives with pure motives, with gratitude, and with the conviction that “I will not offer anything that costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). Jesus is certainly honoured when we step out in faith to give, even if we think our gift may not make a difference in the operating budget of the church.
Reflection
- Have I given to God as an act of worship of the Creator King and Source of all riches?
- Do I give to God as an expression of my faith that everything I have belongs to Him?
- Will my giving to God from a heart fully devoted to Him, inspire others to do the same?
(Sermon Notes by Bryan Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
- Read 1 Chronicles 29:10-19. Which part/s of the text resonate with you about stewardship? Why?
- Recall Sermon
- What is biblical stewardship? Name the 3 aspects of biblical stewardship.
- What is the primary reason churches take offerings during the worship service?
- What is the fundamental problem with bad stewardship?
- Why did Jesus’ heart go out to the poor widow? (Mk12:41-43; Lk 21:1-4)
- What does a heart or motive of a true giver look like?
- Relate Personally
- What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “stewardship”? Why?
- How would you grow as a “good and faithful” steward?
- Which areas of your life do you need to surrender to God?
- How have you experienced giving as an expression of love? How might this work in your relationship with God?
- How many attributes of a true giver can you identify with? Which do you need to work on?
- Commit to Action
- Pray and consider how you can give to God in Wesley. Share your plan with someone.
