Loving Neighbor Concerning His Possessions

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: I Timothy 6; Lord's Day 42
Psalters: 285, 35, 405, 57
  1. The idea.
    1. The sixth commandment reveals God as the Owner of all, Who distributes as He will, and Who demands an accounting.
    2. God is the sole Proprietor of all things (Deut. 10:14; Ps. 24:1,2; 50:11,12).
    3. These truths make man a steward, accountable to God for the care of that which God puts under him for a while.
      1. God created man as His friend and servant, who was given dominion over creation to replenish and subdue it (Gen. 1:28).
      2. Sin made man a thief, claiming creation for his purposes, locking out God, either selfishly or making man serve the creation.
      3. In salvation God restored to the redeemed the ability to be proper stewards.
    4. Four important conclusions.
  2. God identifies as stealing the violation of the relationship He has given to our possessions.
    1. First, we steal from God.
      1. We steal from God when we refuse to acknowledge ourselves to be but stewards, claiming things as our own or for us.
      2. We steal from God by not giving first to the causes of His kingdom (Malachi 3:8-10).
      3. We steal from God when we misuse our abilities and our time.
    2. We steal from our neighbor when we take advantage of him so he has a loss.
  3. The importance of our showing our gratitude by keeping this command.
    1. Follow the example of Jesus Who was/is the perfect steward, fulling all the obligations and duties God gave Him to do.
    2. Only those united to Christ by faith can live by faith as true stewards.
    3. To help us avoid the sin of stealing there are four things we must consider.