TALENTS POSSESSIONS STEWARDSHIP Lesson 11 for June 13, 2009 TIME BODY

Christian stewardship is the joyful and free decision of God’s children and His Church to administer life and resources according to God’s will. STEWARDSHIP

STEWARDSHIP: TALENTS “God has lent men talents—an intellect to originate, a Heart to be the place of His throne, affection to flow out in blessings to others, a conscience to convict of sin. Each one has received something from the Master, and each one is to do his part in supplying the needs of God’s work… Property is a talent… we are to trade on our pence and our pounds, returning our freewill offerings to Him to sustain His work, to bring souls to Christ. Speech is a talent… It is to be used to declare God’s wisdom and wondrous love. Strength is a talent… Our bodies belong to Him. He has paid the price of redemption for the body as well as for the soul. Influence is a talent… The practical benevolence, the self-denial and self-sacrifice, which mark the life of a man, have an influence for good upon those with whom he associates.” Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p. 114-115

In addition to the previous talents that EVERYONE has, there are special talents that God gives to specific persons to use them for His work: Ease to preach. Musical composition. Identifying the needs of others. Visiting and encouraging the sick. Deaconship. Explaining doctrine. … “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)

“God has put men and women in possession of precious gifts “God has put men and women in possession of precious gifts. To different ones He has given different gifts. Not all have the same strength of character or the same depth of knowledge. But each one is to use his gifts in the Master’s service, however small this gift may seem to be. The faithful steward trades wisely on the goods entrusted to him.” Ellen G. White, The Upward Look, December 31

STEWARDSHIP: TIME Time is a gift from God that we must use wisely… Time for communion with God. Time to study the Bible. Time for family. Time to help others. Time to relax. Time to work. … “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV

“Our time belongs to God “Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life.” Ellen G. White, The Faith I live for, June 1

STEWARDSHIP: OUR BODY Rest. Work. Physical exercise. Food. Sleep. “We are not our own. We have been purchased with a dear price, even the sufferings and death of the Son of God. If we could understand this and fully realize it, we would feel a great responsibility resting upon us to keep ourselves in the very best condition of health, that we might render to God perfect service.” (Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 43 Rest. Work. Physical exercise. Food. Sleep. Taking care of the “soul’s avenues” … Keeping our body in good condition involves being balanced in:

“The light God has given on health reform is for our salvation and the salvation of the world. Men and women should be informed in regard to the human habitation, fitted up by our Creator as His dwelling place and over which He desires us to be faithful stewards. ‘For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ 2 Corinthians 6:16” Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 461)

“For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” STEWARDSHIP: MATERIAL POSSESSIONS “For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 God owns everything we have. We give Him back the tenth part. We must administer the rest of the possessions wisely; we are stewards. The more we give to God the more we are benefited. “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Every good thing of earth was placed here by the bountiful hand of God as an expression of His love to man. The poor are His, and the cause of religion is His. The gold and the silver are the Lord’s; and He could rain them from heaven if He chose. But instead of this He has made man His steward, entrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence, in order that man might become like his Creator, benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with Christ of the eternal, glorious reward.” Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p. 15

We are waiting for the Owner of everything to come back We are waiting for the Owner of everything to come back. He will return soon and He’ll want to know what we’ve done with our gifts, time, physical strength and material resources. May you hear the next words from the Lord when He returns: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23