Loving My Neighbor Concerning His Possessions

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: I Timothy 6; Lord's Day 42
Psalters: 285, 330, 137, 59
  1. The idea.
    1. God is the sole Proprietor of all things (Ps. 24:1,2; 50:11,12).
      1. This is true because of His being Creator, Sustainer, and Governor of all things.
      2. While everything is His, He distributes without letting go, requiring an accounting and returns.
    2. 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 for God’s glory.
      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.
  2. God identifies as stealing the violation of the relationship He has given to our possessions.
    1. Important observations.
    2. First, we steal from God.
    3. 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. There are things we can do to avoid the sin of stealing.