Proper Attitude Toward Possessions
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/11/2009 AM
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Text:
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Mark 10;
Lord's Day 42
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Psalters: |
285, 330, 405, 59 |
- The principles.
- Various forms of earthly government hold different positions concerning earthly, material goods.
- All forms regard material things as the property of man.
- But Scripture teaches that all things belong to God: the earth and its fulness (Psalm 24:1,2; 50:11,12).
- Originally, man managed himself and the creation as a steward, serving God and consecrating all to Him.
- The purpose of man’s dominion was to subdue (cultivate) earthly creation, not exploit it.
- This makes man a steward, a tenant (by God’s kind permission), but liable to ejection.
- The violation of our God-given relationship to possessions is called stealing.
- Sin destroyed man’s stewardship, making all men thieves (stealers).
- Instead of confessing that the earth is God’s, we proudly claim it as our own or for us and our happiness.
- Instead of finding our life and joy in our God and in serving Him, we see life and possessions as ends in themselves.
- Though God placed a curse on this creation, we ever crave more of the things which can never satisfy.
- We steal from God (Malachi 3:8-10).
- We steal from God by seeking ourselves first, and do not give first to the causes of His kingdom (Malachi 3:8-10).
- We steal by treating possessions as our own to be used as we please.
- We steal from God when we misuse our abilities and our time.
- We steal from our neighbor when we take advantage of him so he has a loss.
- We steal in armed robbery and shop-lifting, with laziness, with palagerism, or poor service.
- We steal when we do not fulfill obligations, contracts, debts (even after bankruptcy).
- The duty required in this commandment is that it calls us to serve God with our all, all the time.
- Jesus is the perfect steward.
- Only those united to Christ by faith can live by faith as true stewards.
- In giving to God first, we indicate our trust in Him and His care.
- Obedience is seen in loving gratitude for God’s unspeakable Gift and for all His gifts to us.
- Engage in honest labor or in some lawful calling; do not be idle or lazy (Ephesians 4:28).
- Strive against the spirit of selfishness by seeking the welfare of others.
- Cultivate the grace of contentment (I Timothy 6:6-10).