Proper Attitude Toward Possessions
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/19/2014 PM
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Text:
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Psalm 24;
Lord's Day 42
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Psalters: |
285, 107, 402, 57 |
- Stewardship.
- Scripture teaches that all things belong to God: the earth and its fulness (Psalm 24:1,2; 50:11,12).
- Originally, in Eden, 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 and rule earthly creation, not exploit it.
- This makes man a steward, a tenant by God's kind permission, having precarious tenure, liable to ejection.
- The parable of the talents teaches that God entrusts us with some of His wealth, in order to increase His wealth.
- Everything (life, possessions, or talents) must return to God in the sense of giving Him praise (cf. I Cor. 10:31).
- The violation of our God-given relationship to possessions is called stealing.
- Sin makes all men thieves (stealers), proudly claiming things as our own, here for us and our happiness.
- We steal from God (Malachi 3:8-10).
- We steal from our neighbor when we take advantage of him so he has a loss.
- 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.
- This commandment is not a taskmaster, which we have to fulfill in order to receive grace.
- In gratitude engage in honest labor or in some lawful calling; do not be idle or lazy (Ephesians 4:28).
- Give to God first, indicating your trust in Him and in His care.
- In gratitude, strive against the spirit of selfishness by seeking the welfare of others.
- Cultivate the grace of contentment.