Utilizing Your Blessings

Our Thanksgiving Blessings series stated:
#1. We're Blessed
Therefore, we ought to
#2. Recognize the blessings
#3. Recognize the Source - God is the Source of ALL blessing. (Even if we worked for them.)
Also,
#4. we should give thanks - verbal expression
and,
#5. Enjoy the blessing (because it was given as a blessing!!)

Question: Enough said?? End of the matter??
Answer: depends largely on World view. (view of life, view of God)
Contrast: typical world view: blessings are given to me to possess and enjoy (as I see fit)
with: Biblical world view: blessings entrusted to me to use (as He directs)

So............ Utilizing Your Blessings (stewardship of those blessings)

#1. The Bible stresses the concept of stewardship. (we are the managers)
example: Matt. 25:14
This does not ignore aspects of ownership. Ex. 20:15 - "Thou shalt not steal."
Stewardship merely recognizes true ownership. "No one takes them with them!"
Ultimately, God is the owner. We leave with nothing.

#2. Stewardship goes beyond money and material possessions.
1 Pet. 4:10 - gifts, abilities, time, relationships, opportunities, knowledge
The point is NOT that we must employ every minute of blessing.
The point is you're blessed for a reason and purpose.

#3. The goal of stewardship is the expansion of God's kingdom. In the parable of the talents, the talents were to be used to expand the holdings of the master.
NOTE: this does not benefit God!!!! It benefits people!! God is already absolute and complete.

Therefore:
#4. The focus of the matter is people.
ie: Utilizing your blessings is a way that benefits people.

#5. The specific applications ultimately are between you and your Master. John 21:18-22
Generally outlined in His Word. Specifics you must work out with Him.

#6. Stewardship is not designed to restrict your life but to enhance it. John 10:10
Point is: add an eternal dimension - that eternity will be changed by what you do.
MAD (make a difference) MAED (make an eternal difference)
Luke 12:15, 21

#7. Stewardship does not deny your needs and pleasures.
The word for stewardship in the Greek is household manager who benefits from the house!!
1 Tim. 5:18

#8. Biblical stewardship is a win/win situation.
Nearly every command to give, share, be generous includes a promise of blessing upon the giver.
OT - Deut. 14:28-29 Prov. 11:25, 22:9, 28:27, 17:19
NT - Luke 6:38 2 Cor. 9:6, 10-11 Phil. 4:19

#9. Stewardship is (nearly) synonymous with Lordship.
Luke 12:48 (b) The concept of accountability!

#10. (as always) Stewardship is a matter of personal choice. (decision)