Proper Attitude Toward Possessions

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Mark 10; Lord's Day 42
Psalters: 285, 330, 405, 59
  1. The principles.
    1. Various forms of earthly government hold different positions concerning earthly, material goods.
      1. All forms regard material things as the property of man.
      2. But Scripture teaches that all things belong to God: the earth and its fulness (Psalm 24:1,2; 50:11,12).
    2. Originally, man managed himself and the creation as a steward, serving God and consecrating all to Him.
      1. The purpose of man’s dominion was to subdue (cultivate) earthly creation, not exploit it.
      2. This makes man a steward, a tenant (by God’s kind permission), but liable to ejection.
  2. The violation of our God-given relationship to possessions is called stealing.
    1. Sin destroyed man’s stewardship, making all men thieves (stealers).
      1. Instead of confessing that the earth is God’s, we proudly claim it as our own or for us and our happiness.
      2. Instead of finding our life and joy in our God and in serving Him, we see life and possessions as ends in themselves.
      3. Though God placed a curse on this creation, we ever crave more of the things which can never satisfy.
    2. We steal from God (Malachi 3:8-10).
      1. We steal from God by seeking ourselves first, and do not give first to the causes of His kingdom (Malachi 3:8-10).
      2. We steal by treating possessions as our own to be used as we please.
      3. We steal from God when we misuse our abilities and our time.
    3. We steal from our neighbor when we take advantage of him so he has a loss.
      1. We steal in armed robbery and shop-lifting, with laziness, with palagerism, or poor service.
      2. We steal when we do not fulfill obligations, contracts, debts (even after bankruptcy).
  3. The duty required in this commandment is that it calls us to serve God with our all, all the time.
    1. Jesus is the perfect steward.
      1. Only those united to Christ by faith can live by faith as true stewards.
      2. In giving to God first, we indicate our trust in Him and His care.
    2. Obedience is seen in loving gratitude for God’s unspeakable Gift and for all His gifts to us.
      1. Engage in honest labor or in some lawful calling; do not be idle or lazy (Ephesians 4:28).
      2. Strive against the spirit of selfishness by seeking the welfare of others.
      3. Cultivate the grace of contentment (I Timothy 6:6-10).