lesson tenMARCH 3–9

The Role of

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thess. 4:7, NIV).

Stewardship

The chariot wheel mentioned in the lesson features a cross in the center, while other key doctrinal beliefs, such as the three angel’s messages, radiate out from this point.

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sabbathMARCH 3

Let us think about stewardship as a triangle, with God at the upper tip and Christians and resources at the base. God is a faithful provider, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to direct our ways and inform our decisions on how to use His gifts wisely. From the Creation week, God gave humanity the respon-sibility of stewardship (Gen. 1:28).

However, when sin came, it disrupted the original setup, and humans lost the power that God gave them to be good stewards. Nevertheless, not all was lost when God decided to restore the order through His Son Jesus Christ. Our understanding of stewardship, as followers of Christ, involves the knowledge that He is at the center of our lives and the resources around us.

God gives to us freely, and He wants us to use the resources to advance His kingdom. We can achieve this goal when we accept the cost of discipleship. We choose to follow Christ and obey God’s Word, regardless of the prevailing circumstances. As Christian disciples, we experience a change of heart and mind in order to commit ourselves to the Lord.

Christian stewardship is part of a reformed way of life in which we recognize God as the source of our lives, freedom, and everything that we possess. It goes beyond responsible use of material and human resources. It surpasses generous giving of our talents, time, or treasure. It has the power to reconstruct our understanding of our way of life and help us abide by what the Giver of life and resources wants us to do.

What we can do as Christian stewards is to receive God’s gifts, use them responsibly, share them lovingly, and return them to God to advance His king-dom. David Livingstone once said, “I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes in time or eternity.”*

This week, we shall learn more about the role of stewardship in our lives as Christians. ____________

*David Livingstone, quoted in “Stewardship,” Sermon Illustrations, accessed October 17, 2016, http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/s/stewardship.htm.

Col. 1:16–18

The Stewardship Triangle

Mark Gift, Nairobi, Kenya

“It shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keep-ing it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe

all my hopes in time or eternity.”

Introduction

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Jayne Oreso, Nairobi, Kenya

sundayMARCH 4

It is important for Christians to know that stewardship goes beyond the personal life. The psalmist discovered this truth many years ago and wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, / the world, and all who live in it; / for he founded it on the seas / and established it on the waters” (Ps. 24:1, 2, NIV).

God, the author of stewardship, is holy and faithful. He transfers that quality to those who choose to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Through Jesus Christ, we come to know the holiness and faithfulness of God. In the Bible, Paul writes to Timothy that God has manifested His holiness through Jesus Christ, “who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10, NIV).

When we recognize that God is the owner of all that we have, including our lives, we are able to manage the resources according to His vision and values. This brings to mind the fact that the relationship we have with the resources and possessions does not depend on ownership. Instead, we are just stewards of the resources and possessions at our disposal. As followers of Christ, we should look at stewardship from that perspective.

When that happens, we shall experience a change in how we view the resources we have. We shall see income as a responsibility—a means to an end. We shall realize that our possessions should not define us, but we should use them to advance the cause of the Giver. Our spending should be based not on what we can afford but on whether what we spend money for honors God. Our giving should never be based on how much God wants us to give but on how much He wants us to keep.

Christ is our template for holy and faithful giving (see Heb. 4:14–16). Our role as stewards in this era is to follow His example in everything we do and say. In Him, we see what God wants us to do as faithful stewards. His overall life is a lesson that stewardship goes beyond living on a budget and returning 10 percent of our income and giving offerings. While they are part of the Christian lifestyle, doing that alone does not qualify us to be faithful Christian stewards.

REACTHow does a Christian understanding of stewardship help us become new

creations?

Stewardship in a Bigger Picture

Rev. 14:7

Evidence

Our giving should never be based on how much God wants us to give but on how much He wants us to keep.

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mondayMARCH 5

Christ Is the Author of Stewardship (Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:17; Phil. 2:9–11)

Living as Christians demands that we follow the example of Christ. From what we say and do to how we live, Christ should be our reference point. That drives home the point that stewardship is about our lifestyle as Christians. It is possible to win souls to Christ through stewardship. This depends on how we relate to people within and outside our church, what we eat and drink, the activities in which we indulge, and many more factors.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians confirms that Christ humbled Himself to endure pain and suffering so humanity could be reconciled to God. Christ is the bridge we follow to the kingdom of God. Therefore, we should submit to Him as our Lord and Savior in everything we do. The role of stewardship in our lives is to help us recognize Christ’s work in us and use our possessions and resources to exalt and make Him shine in our lives. This is in line with what King Solomon did when he spent a great deal of resources to build and furnish God’s temple (1 Kings 7:1–51).

The first step in Christian stewardship is to accept Christ in our lives. This can help us see the world and ourselves from a different perspective. We can manage our time and talents in a different way and utilize our resources to advance Christ’s cause. In essence, Christian stewardship is a reflection of servant leadership, in which Christ is our role model (see Mark 10:45).

Walking in Truth as Stewards (John 14:6; 17:17; 3 John 3)Stewardship is about being truthful. In Acts 5:1–11, Ananias and Sapphira

died for being untruthful to God. This should be a lesson to all Christians that God sees our hearts. In many instances, we lie to God about how we spend our time and how we manage other resources at our disposal.

In order to maintain our title as Christian stewards, we must walk in truth, and Christ is our rationale for truth. The Bible confirms that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Consequently, walking in truth as Christian stewards means following Christ. John emphasized the point when he wrote, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth” (3 John 3, NKJV).

Even though John addressed the letter to a particular elder, the lesson we derive from the letter is that walking in truth is still as important today as it was during the time of the apostle John. In a prayer for His disciples, Christ

Gen. 6:13–18; Matt. 24:37; Mark 10:45; John 14:6; 17:17; 2 Cor. 6:1–4; Phil. 4:13; 3 John 3; Rev. 14:6–12

The messages of the three angels provide a basis on which every Christian steward should operate.

LogosInside Christian

Stewardship

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mentioned that His disciples, after knowing Him, came to know that every-thing belongs to God. Disciples are stewards, and their lifestyles and actions should lead others to Christ.

A War ning to Heed (Gen. 6:13–18; Matt. 24:37; 2 Cor. 6:1–4; Rev. 14:6–12)God has always unveiled His promises to those who keep His command-

ments. In Revelation 14:6–12, the message is clear, as delivered by the three angels. The first angel speaks about spreading the everlasting gospel of Christ. That is one of the prime objectives of Christian stewards. With our time, knowledge, skills, and other resources at hand, God looks upon us to spread the good news about His kingdom to places it has not reached.

The second angel warns about the destruction of a sinful kingdom. This happens when the gospel reaches every tribe, race, and nation. The wicked-ness of Babylon, which the revelator talks about in this passage, reflects the sinful situation of our world.

The third angel sounds a warning for people never to indulge in anything that lowers the dignity of the Lord in any way. If after hearing the messages of the first and second angels, we persist in idolatry and share in the sinful nature of the world, then we face the wrath of God.

The messages of the three angels provide a basis on which every Chris-tian steward should operate. If we love God, we shall keep His command-ments and spread His love across the world. That is why the third angel concludes, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12, NKJV).

Christian Stewards Embrace Holiness (Heb. 9:4; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16)Our Father in heaven, the Owner of all providences, is holy (see Isa. 5:16).

He wants us to be holy so that we can share in His kingdom. With the sinful nature that we possess, we cannot attain the level of holiness that God has. However, through the salvation that life in Christ brings, we can be partakers of God’s holiness.

Until we allow Christ to rule over our lives, we cannot stand as holy people before God. Our ability to put on a new life in Christ enables us to shine as Christian stewards. Sin tarnishes our Christian image. Upon accepting Christ into our lives, we are able to recover from the influence of sin to the light of redemption that Christ brings. As the Bible says, the blood of Christ is able to cleanse us from dead works to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14).

When we embrace the principle of holiness, we can say with courage that everything is possible through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). That should be the goal of every Christian steward today.

REACT1. What does it mean to “walk in truth” in relation to stewardship?2. How do the three angels’ messages help us understand our role as

Christian stewards?3. Why can’t we be good stewards without Christ at the center of every-

thing we do?

Tony Philip Oreso, Nairobi, Kenya

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tuesdayMARCH 6

“In commissioning His disciples to go ‘into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,’ Christ assigned to men the work of extending the knowledge of His grace. But while some go forth to preach, He calls upon others to answer His claims upon them for offerings, with which to support His cause in the earth. He has placed means in the hands of men, that His divine gifts may flow through human channels in doing the work appointed us in sav-ing our fellow men. This is one of God’s ways of exalting man. It is just the work that man needs, for it will stir the deepest sympathies of his heart, and call into exercise the highest capabilities of the mind. . . .

“The great work which Jesus announced that He came to do was entrusted to His followers upon the earth. He has given His people a plan for raising sums sufficient to make the enterprise self-sustaining. God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility, and it does not require depth of learning to understand and execute it. All may feel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work of salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for the Lord and may be an agent to meet the demands upon the treasury.”1

“A flood of light is shining from the word of God, and there must be an awak-ening to neglected opportunities. When all are faithful in giving back to God His own in tithes and offerings, the way will be opened for the world to hear the message for this time. If the hearts of God’s people were filled with love for Christ, if every church member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, if all manifested thorough earnestness, there would be no lack of funds for home or foreign missions.”2

“As the persevering, systematic workers see that the tendency of their be-nevolent efforts is to nourish love to God and their fellow men, and that their personal efforts are extending their sphere of usefulness, they will realize that it is a great blessing to be co-workers with Christ.” 3____________

1. Ellen G. White, Counsels for the Church, p. 274.2. Ibid., p. 275.3. Ibid., p. 274.

2 Cor. 6:1–4A Christian Steward Is a Coworker With God

Carren Akinyi, Nairobi, Kenya

“Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for the Lord and may be an agent to meet the demands upon

the treasury.”

Testimony

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Samson Oguttu, Dagoretti Corner, Nairobi, Kenya

wednesdayMARCH 7

Christians in Ephesus had heard about Christ. They learned about Him from their Christian teachers and Paul himself. Now they discovered the truth because Jesus Himself is the truth (John 14:6). Paul tells the Ephesians to leave behind their old way of living because their eyes have been opened. As it happened to the Ephesians, so it is with us today. Every person who has chosen to follow Christ must start a new life with Him.

Before you accept Christ, you put yourself at the center of everything you do. Your heart breeds desires, including those that can lead to bad behavior. Sin is like a poison, and a pint of it can destroy what is pure. For this reason,

Paul urges Christians to shun the old way of life and embrace a new life in Christ, which comes with a new nature. With it, you can acquire true goodness and a holy way of living, which are major requirements in Christian steward-ship. Being good means that you are right with your fellow humans; being holy means you are right with God.

We can become faithful stewards only after accepting a new life in Christ, leaving behind the corrupt sinful nature. We leave behind what pleases us and fill our hearts with what pleases Christ. Here are the qualities of a faithful Christian steward:

A faithful steward lives by God’s Word (John 17:17). The Word of God is truth. It is God’s letter to His beloved children. Upon reading, studying, and liv-ing it, we experience its power to change our lives.

A faithful steward depends on Christ (John 14:6). Christ is our example of a good steward. If we depend on Him, we will know how to manage God’s resources wisely in a manner that advances His kingdom.

A faithful steward embraces peace and holiness (Heb. 12:14). The world offers several things that affect our focus on a new life with Christ. However, once we accept Christ as our Savior, He can provide new ways to live a dif-ferent life in Him. Through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, we can embrace peace with our fellow humans and holiness with God, which He desires for His faithful stewards.

REACT1. What other characteristics of a faithful steward can you add?2. What is the role of the Scriptures in making us faithful Christian stewards?

Living as Children of Light Eph. 4:21–24How-to

Being good means that you are right with your fellow humans; being holy means you are right with God.

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thursdayMARCH 8

Everyone has attitude, but our attitudes as Christian stewards should point others to Christ. Paul writes that for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21). For most people, death is a devastating experience at every level. However, going by his words, Paul puts himself in a situation in which he benefits from death. What does this mean to the present-day steward? We can learn concrete lessons from Paul’s statement.

To begin with, as believers, our focus is on Christ in this life and after-ward. We should use our time, talents, and other possessions that God gives us to bless others and build His kingdom.

In the footsteps of Paul, we have a mission to imitate Christ at every level and make Him the Model of our lives. Once we do that, our perspective of stewardship changes. We discover that Christ is supreme and that all things were created by Him and for Him.

Many times, especially when it comes to giving, most people think that only the rich should give. However, before we examine riches to determine our ability to give, we should count our blessings first. Paul knew that as children of the Giver of resources and life, they could not lack what they were to give (1 Tim. 6:17).

Even by worldly standards, nearly everyone has something to give. However, the message of riches goes beyond worldly measures. In 1 Timo-thy 6:17, Paul looks at the bigger picture—that our Father in heaven owns every thing and if we believe in Him, He is able to give us more than we need.

Therefore, when it comes to blessing others with resources or advancing the cause of God in other places, we can always have something to give. The Bible confirms to us, “I can do all things through Christ who strength-ens me” (Phil. 4:13, NKJV). With that power in mind, we need not worry about what we can give. Instead, we should accept the fact that we build treasures by what we give.

REACT1. What are some of the resources God has bestowed upon us that we

can use to bless others and advance His cause?2. In addition to using our time, talents, and possessions to advance

God’s work, how can we manage them better?

Phil. 1:21Stewardship Points Us to Christ

Rose Oguttu, Dagoretti Corner, Nairobi, Kenya

Even by worldly standards, nearly everyone has something to give.

Opinion

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Stephanie Yamniuk, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

fridayMARCH 9

CONCLUDE We like to think that we are kind, loving, and generous; and many of

us are. However, by God’s will, when we give up our own sinful nature and human plans, God can clothe us with a new nature that is a million times better and brighter. This world was created by God and given to us as stewards of the earth. What are we doing to make a difference? How are we glorifying God and acknowledging His magnificence in all we do? When you take a moment to think of what God is offering to you—“a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24, NIV)—the possibilities are mind-boggling regarding the ways that we can help others and impact this angry, crazy, chaotic world.

CONSIDER• Planning a worship service that centers on the thought that Christ

is our source of life, freedom, and all we possess. The young adults can lead out in praising God for all He has given us.

• Making thank-you and get-well cards and baking goodies to sell. Donate the profits to support a local charity and tell them why you are giving back to them as a community partner.

• Serving breakfast or dinner at a local homeless shelter. Read Mark 10:45. See the people that you are serving as children of God, and therefore, your brothers and sisters. Share the experience with your church and your family.

• Brainstorming a list of ways to walk in truth and planning a youth walk-ing event. We are keepers of the truth, but how do we turn that into action? Involve a younger Sabbath School group and walk together.

• Listing your daily activities for one day. How could they be reordered and prioritized to show that you have accepted the new nature of Christ, as described in Ephesians 4:21–24?

CONNECT

Acts 9:36; Matthew 6:1–4Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . . , chapter 6, “Creation.”General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Stewardship Minis-

tries, http://www.adventiststewardship.com/.

Changing Your Clothes and Putting on God’s Sneakers

Eph. 4:21–24; Matt. 28:18;

Ps. 24:1, 2

Exploration