READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l In his letter to Gentile Christians who were facing prosecution, Peter encourages them to love one another “because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (vs.8). This obviously does not mean that through our loving actions, we can save ourselves from our sins. The Gospel clearly states that we are saved by God’s grace alone and not by anything we do. Rather, as we lavish love on one another, such love can make room for one another’s mistakes. On this stewardship Sunday, we reflect on how we use our time, talents and treasures. Sadly, we can end up hoarding these. It could be due to fear – of losing “me time”, high opportunity cost and depriving ourselves of our resources. Arising from this scarcity mentality, sharing with the community is reduced. Hoarding could also be due to greed and materialism. We desire to accumulate. Possessions, status, comfort become essential to our happiness. All this self-absorption turns our attention away from people. The antidote to hoarding is stewardship.
Consider the following three dimensions of stewardship:
Stewardship as Christ is King
God is sovereign. He owns everything. All creation is His. So also our time, talents and treasures. We sometimes use “responsibility” as an excuse for not surrendering all to God. We are busy taking care of our responsibilities at home and work and God is edged out by our perpetual busyness. We need to constantly check that God is our top priority, recalling that we are stewards and not masters of what God has given us. Giving time to others is the focus of the “Making Room” conference on 15 August in our church. Hospitality requires us to give of our time and talents as we become a welcoming church.
Stewardship is shaping of virtues
Possessions can be powerful objects. One can become a slave to possessions. Sharing loosens the chains to these belongings. Discipleship is not about the roles or titles we hold but taking the way down as Jesus did. Discipleship therefore involves humility, contentment and sufficiency. May we have hearts that are satisfied with what God has blessed us and not yearn for more. We need to be careful not to turn our service into a competition, comparing results and outcomes with others who serve. Let us cherish the love and friendship amongst fellow volunteers in our ministries, offering compliments and encouragement whenever we can. Such virtues cannot be taught but are developed by God. Change is rarely an overnight thing but a journey of small, intentional choices. Let us then move from greed and fear to the virtues of Christlikeness. Let us ask the Lord to loosen the grip on our possessions.
Stewardship is communion in action
Stewarding is praying with our hands and feet. Our words and deeds can be channels of God’s love and grace. There will be people who will refresh us. Yet others will refine us. As we serve together, we are grounded in community and strengthened in our common identity as God’s children. May we serve out of pleasure rather than pressure. We praise God for the many in our church who offer their time, talents and treasures in their service. God calls us to steward His gifts to His glory.
How is Christ inviting us to surrender our time, talents and treasures to Him today?
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read 1 Peter 4:8-11. What stands out to you?
b. What is the context of 1 Peter? - Recall Sermon
a. What are some reasons why we withhold offering our time, our treasures and our talents?
b. Recall the three dimensions of stewardship. How would you use any one of them to explain the importance of stewardship to a new Christian believer? - Relate Personally
a. In what ways are you withholding or hoarding your time, treasures and talents?
b. How would the discipline of stewardship change you and our church community? - Commit to Action
a. Share one thing that you would commit to surrender your grip over your time, treasures or talents so that Christ may reign in your life through your stewardship.
