(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see how)
Focus Question:
What does healthy stewardship look like?
Intro:
“Alright pastor, now you’re gettin’ personal.”
Nearly every pastor I’ve known has heard something like this, and it’s often when the sermon talks about what Paul’s going to be talking about today…money.
I hope, therefore, you’ll hear Paul’s heart here. Even more importantly, I hope you keep an ear out for the answer to today’s focus question…What does healthy stewardship look like?
New Testament segment:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 8-9
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 39
Words: ~918
8:1–9:15 Paul’s Summons to Complete the Collection for Believers in Jerusalem. From AD 52–57, a considerable proportion of Paul’s time and energy was devoted to organizing a collection among his Gentile churches for “the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem” (Rom 15:26) who had material needs.
Paul’s aim in chs. 8–9 is not simply to have the Christians in Corinth finalize their contribution to this collection (8:6, 11) and do so before he arrives (9:4–5), but to have them contribute generously. Of the three main sections in these two chapters (8:1–15; 8:16–9:5; 9:6–15), the first and third focus on this “generosity” (8:2; 9:11, 13)—its need (8:1–15) and its results (9:6–15).(1)
Chs. 8–9 highlight several characteristics of genuine Christian stewardship. It is voluntary, not enforced (8:3; 9:5, 7); generous, not parsimonious (8:2; 9:6, 13); enthusiastic, not grudging (8:4, 11–12; 9:7); deliberate, not haphazard (9:7); and sensible, not reckless (8:11–13).(1)
I share a final thought at the end of today’s show, including what I think might be an encouragement.
OLD Testament segment:
As for our OT segment, today we finish up this segment of Jeremiah where, after Israel is called out for their covenantal adultery, we hear basically that God has rejected his people.
Passage: Jeremiah 6
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 30
Words: ~889
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Psalm 74
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 24
Words: ~394
The bottom line:
One final thought on the whole question, “What does biblical stewardship look like?” Obviously this view of stewardship is quite unlike a lot of caricatures that are made about money and the church, no? At the center of the whole thing is your heart — being willing and enthusiastic and generous sounds a lot like, well, being in love. When you’re in love, you don’t have to work to be giving. So I hope you find it encouraging that here one of my goals is to help you fall more in love with Jesus.
One thing is for sure…He’s madly in love with you.
Love you!
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Douglas J. Moo, “The Letters and Revelation,” in NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018), 2091.