“Hidden Treasure” (Matt 13:44) - Kingdom Stewardship IV –

“Hidden Treasure” (Matt 13:44)

- Kingdom Stewardship IV –

“How Much Land Does a Man Need?”

One day I listened to the news on the radio about the UK’s most expensive parking space. It says that a parking space in London has sold for £400,000, which is about $644,000. You can see the picture on the screen. It is the underground space, which can fit two cars. It costs 15 times the average UK annual salary. This news reminded me of Leo Tolstoy’s short story, “How much land does a man need?” The protagonist of the story is a peasant named Pahom. At the start, he is a content and hardworking man. Unfortunately, he makes the mistake of thinking that more land would make his life better. He purchases more land. One day, he hears a better deal. The owners of the land promise to give Pahom all the land he can walk around in a day for a very cheap price. But there is one condition: He must reach his starting point by sunset that day. Pahom believes he can cover a great distance. He stays out as late as possible, marking out land until just before the sun sets. Toward the end, he realizes that he is far from the starting point and runs back as fast as he can. He finally arrives at the starting point just as the sun sets. People cheer his good fortune, but exhausted from the run, Pahom drops dead. His servant buries him in a grave only six feet long. Ironically it answers the question, “How much land does a man need?”

Kingdom’s Surpassing Value

The story shows that human nature pushes us to want more and more, and we are so easily caught up with the affairs and things of this life. But in today’s scripture Jesus shifts our attention to what ultimately matters in the end. Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” The kingdom of God is a treasure indeed, but it is the treasure hidden from the world and from the wise and from the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved it is power of God.” The gospel of the kingdom through Jesus is hidden but powerful. It has “justifying” power. No matter who we were, no matter what we have done in the past, this gospel makes us righteous. Here is eternal and unshaken truth: “Christ died for us while we were still sinners” (Rm 5:8). When we believe this gospel, God counts us as righteous as much as Jesus’. The Bible says, “God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Co 5:21). Jesus became our sin, and we became his righteousness. But there is more! The gospel of the kingdom through Jesus has “transforming” power. Yes, God counts us as righteous even when we are still in darkness, and he accepts us just as we are. But God does not let us remain in the place where we are. He helps us turn form darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). He makes us grieve and hate sin because he grieves and hates sin. He gives us a consuming desire to be holy because he is holy.

The gospel of the kingdom has justifying and transforming power. It is far more valuable than anything else in this world. The apostle Paul understood clearly the surpassing value of the kingdom through Christ Jesus. He said, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Phil. 3:8). Hymn writer Rhea Miller put it this way: 

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

The absolute evidence of those who inherit the kingdom is to have a right relationship with Jesus. If we only have Jesus, then we have everything. If we don’t have Jesus, we lose everything.

Our Responsibility

The surpassing value of Christ Jesus and his kingdom inevitably requires our extravagant response. In today’s scripture when the man finds this treasure, he hides it deep in his heart and gives up all other happiness for it. To all of us there comes a time when we must choose between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. Many Christians today sit on the fence. They stay in comfortable gray zone. But the Book of Revelation clearly says that in the last days only two groups of people will exist: “Those who have the seal of God” (Those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes) vs. “Those who have the mark of the beast (Those who follow the ways of the world).” We belong to one of the two groups. We cannot belong to the both groups at the same time. Love for the world pushes out love for Christ and his kingdom. That’s why Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

There is one Korean missionary that I respect. He has been serving in Mongolia until now. In the past he planted a new church in Korea when he was about my age. During that time his family had a hard time financially. But several years later, his church grew, and he was appointed to a bigger church as an associate pastor. Everything became stable. He could afford to buy foods, toys, and gifts to his children. One day he heard the news that one mission organization was looking for a missionary to Mongolia. But there was no volunteer. Mongolia is not a popular country among missionaries because education system for children is so poor, and missionaries to Mongolia tend to live for life because no one wants to go there. He sensed that God was calling him, but he was hesitant because of his wife and children. One day while he was working at church office, God showed him vision. God showed him the very last moment of his life. It was twilight. He was giving account to God. In his vision he chose not go to Mongolia. He had just stayed the same place for life. While he was giving account, the most regretful thing for him was to ignore God's calling to Mongolia. After he saw this vision, immediately he contacted the mission organization to go to Mongolia. Since that time up to this day he and his family have been faithfully and joyfully serving in Mongolia with all their hearts. Today’s scripture makes us stop and ask ourselves, “What would be our proper response if we really found hidden treasure, Jesus Christ and his kingdom?”

“In His Joy”

I would like to put an emphasis on three words in today’s scripture: “IN HIS JOY.” This man does not sell his possessions out of religious obligations, but in his joy he sells everything he has and buys that field. Here we don’t see any negative or forced ‘giving up,’ but we can feel full of joy and excitement. When we recognize the surpassing value of the kingdom of God and see the glimpse of its glory, everything that the world offers to us becomes rubbish. Two weeks ago I shared the life story of C.T. Studd. He was rich and successful national cricket player in England. But when God called him, he joyfully gave up everything and went to China. Just before his death, Studd wrote one final letter back home as follows: “As I believe I am now nearing my departure from this world, I have but a few things to rejoice in; they are these:

1.      That God called me to China and I went in spite of utmost opposition from all my loved ones.

2.      That I joyfully acted as Christ told that rich young man to act. (he gave away his fortune to gospel causes)

3.      That I deliberately at the call of God … gave up my life for this work … for the whole unevangelized World.

My only joys therefore are that when God has given me a work to do, I have not refused it.”

The question is, “When we look back on our whole life, what are we going to rejoice in having done?” Probably we are not going to rejoice over how many hours we spent watching television. We are not going to rejoice over how many people on earth knew our name. We are not going to rejoice over how much we accumulated. When this life is over, what ultimately matters will be one thing. Our joy is only going to be found in the ways that we poured out our life for Christ and his kingdom. That ultimately matters.

Jesus Calling

In the early 20^th century Ernest Shackleton was looking for comrades to explore the South Pole together. He placed an ad in one of the UK newspapers as follows:

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.”

It doesn’t sound like a good offer. However, there were an astonishing number of applicants for this expedition, because of one reason, “a good name.” Today I would like to invite you to a far better expedition:

“People of all ages wanted for adventurous journey. The minimum standard of living, hardships, spiritual oppositions, long working hours. An easy and comfortable life doubtful in this world. Eternal life and everlasting joy guaranteed on the Last Day.”

My prayer is that all of us in this room may accept this call and experience the transformation of life and divine joy by living out the kingdom of God from this day forth. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Amen.

"Out of Egypt" (Deut 11:8-12) @ Houlton UMC

"Out of Egypt" (Deut 11:8-12)

- Kingdom Stewardship III –

The Land of Egypt vs. the Land of Canaan

What comes to mind when you think of the “Promised Land”? One of the most popular images of it would be ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ But, if you see the picture on the screen, Canaan doesn’t look like the land flowing with milk and honey. It seems rather barren land. In today’s scripture Moses compares the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan. In verse 10, he says, “In the land of Egypt you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden.” In other words, Egypt is fertile ground for planting crops. Yearly floods bring soil rich in nutrients to the Nile Valley. The Nile basin is one of the birthplaces of ancient civilization. In this respect, the land of Egypt is a land flowing with milk and honey. That is why when Korah rose up against Moses, he said as follows in Numbers 16:13, “Isn't it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert?” From a human point of view surely Egypt is a land flowing with milk and honey. The life in Egypt is safe, predictable, and self-sufficient. Then, how about the land of Canaan? In verse 11, Moses says, “But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.” In other words, unlike Egypt, in Canaan people must totally depend on rain to get water. They must depend on God for living. The life in Canaan is dependent and unpredictable.

Then, why is the land of Canaan called “a land flowing with milk and honey”? The answer is in verse 12. Moses says, “It (Canaan) is a land the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” Canaan is the land that the Lord takes care of. It is the land that the Lord himself is a Provider. So, The Lord promises his people, “If you love me and obey my commands, I will send rain on your land in its season so that you may gather in your grain” (13-14). From a human point of view, Canaan is not a land flowing with milk and honey. But, from God’s point of view, it is the most fertile and blessed land because only when we have a right relationship with God, we are able to live a prosperous life in the land of Canaan. In the following chapters, God gives detailed instructions to the Israelites how they should live as the people of God in the Promised Land. In particular, three things are essential: “worship and feast celebration,” “tithes and offerings,” and “clean food.” This morning we will mainly focus on the tithe: What is it? Why is it important? And how shall we be a tither?

What Is Tithing?

First of all, what is tithing? The word tithe simply comes from the Hebrew word “maaser,” which means ten percent. Tithe is one-tenth. Regarding what is tithing we need to ask two following questions: (1) To whom does the tithe belong? and (2) What type of money is the tithe? Firstly, the tithe is the Lord’s. It does not belong to us. Tithing is to simply return to God that which belongs to him. It is an act of acknowledgement: “Lord, here is what belongs to you. I am your steward!” Secondly, the tithe is holy. Leviticus 27:30 says, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” The tithe is dedicated to God, and it must be kept separate from that which is common. In order to understand what it means to be “dedicated to God,” we need to know the meaning of the Hebrew word, “cherem” (used in Lev 27:28). The same word “cherem” is also used in Joshua 6. Jericho was designated by God to be a “cherem” city. It was devoted to total destruction. It belonged to God. The Israelites must touch nothing. They must not take anything of it. However, there was one solider, named Achan. He violated this command and took some of cherem. This action of Achan did not affect just Achan himself and his family, but rather affected the entire community of Israel. The tithe belongs to the Lord, and it is holy and dedicated to God. We must not touch it. The tithe should not be mixed, and it cannot be replaced with other offerings. We need to do mission offerings, thank offerings, and all kinds of other offerings and donations, but they cannot substitute for the tithe because the tithe belongs to God and is dedicated to him from the beginning to the end (cf. Malachi 3:8).

Why Do We Pay Tithing?

And now, we will explore further why does the Lord emphasize on tithing? It is because through tithing we can learn to banish our fear and to trust the Lord as our “Provider.” One time I read an interesting story about a trapper in the African Congo. The natives hunt monkeys in a very creative way. They devised a monkey trap using a hollow gourd, and they pour peanuts through a small hole into the gourd. The monkey would reach in and grab the peanuts, but the hole was too small to remove his closed hand. Interestingly, once monkeys grab the peanuts, most of the time they never open their hand until they are caught. Many of us live in a mentality of “I can’t afford it.” We grasp tightly and try to keep everything under control. There is no one in this room who had an open hand to God from the beginning. We need to learn to open our hand, and in this respect tithing is a valuable spiritual discipline to open our hand to God in surrender and trust. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 says, “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year… so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.” Tithing banishes the fear of losing our control and strengthens our trust towards God. It is a faith journey from self-controllable life to God-dependent life. It is the practical action we put with the faith statement, “Lord, you are my source of provision.” Tithing requires faith for anyone. If we make $1,000 per month, giving that $100 is difficult, because we need every dollar available for expenses. If we make $10,000 per month, giving the $1,000 is difficult, because it is a lot of money. The discipline of tithing is very similar to the discipline of keeping the Sabbath holy. Sunday is not a weekend. It is the first day of the week. It is the day of worship and rest in the Lord. We rest on Sunday not because we worked hard during the previous week. However, by faith we rest on Sunday first to find time to have fellowship with God, and then we work hard throughout the week. In the same way, we tithe not because we can afford it. But, by faith we tithe first before using money for anything else. As we develop this spiritual discipline of tithing, we are able to learn to live a God-centered and God-dependent life more and more.

Tithing vs. Tither

Lastly, we will explore what is the difference between someone who tithes and a tither. Many people are tithing but never become tithers. The difference between the two has to do with the attitude and motive. It is very important for us to check our own attitude as we prepare our tithe. In Gen 4 the story of Cain and Abel teaches us what it takes to become a true tither. Both of them brought offerings. The Lord accepted Abel’s gift, but he did not accept Cain’s. Why? The primary difference had to do with their attitudes. The Bible says that Cain brought some of the fruits and Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. In other words, Abel brought not just an offering, but he brought the first and the best with all his heart. God wants us to be a tither rather than just tithing. Once I heard a testimony about the tithe from one devout Christian. She said that every first day of the month the first thing she does is to write a check for tithing before using money for anything else. I think she can be a good example of a true tither. God is not after our money, but rather after our heart. Every year about this time we do a financial stewardship campaign. Probably you have received the stewardship letter and pledge commitment card from the church. I commend you to be in prayer and seek the Lord’s direction. I don’t know how much your income is. I don’t know how much you make an offering to God. But, I strongly exhort you to one thing. Pray and consider beginning to give a full tithe if you haven’t started yet. Next Sunday we will have an opportunity to lift up our pledge before the Lord.  

Out of Egypt

Before serving our church, I used to serve a half-time appointment church. During that time, several people asked me within and without the church, “How do you survive with that income?” My answer was, “I don’t know. But, I don’t just survive or exist, but I do live a rich and satisfying life.” Surely I believe tithing is the key to the prosperous life. Today God’s command in tithing is descriptive, not directive. We don’t have to abide by it. We can choose to do or not to do. But if we choose to tithe, it will greatly benefit our life. Tithing is an invitation to a life of prosperity. But, biblical prosperity should not be confused with wealth and possessions. Biblical prosperity means to have peace, to be content, and to be whole through God who is our source of provision in any and every situation. Real prosperity is Life. My prayer is that all of us in this room may not just “survive” or “exist” in the Promised Land, but we may “live” a prosperous life with God and in God. “Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:40)

"Out of Egypt" (Deut 11:8-12) @ Hodgdon UMC

"Out of Egypt" (Deut 11:8-12)

- Kingdom Stewardship III –

The Land of Egypt vs. the Land of Canaan

What comes to mind when you think of the “Promised Land”? One of the most popular images of it would be ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ But, if you see the picture on the screen, Canaan doesn’t look like the land flowing with milk and honey. It seems rather barren land. In today’s scripture Moses compares the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan. In verse 10, he says, “In the land of Egypt you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden.” In other words, Egypt is fertile ground for planting crops. Yearly floods bring soil rich in nutrients to the Nile Valley. The Nile basin is one of the birthplaces of ancient civilization. In this respect, the land of Egypt is a land flowing with milk and honey. That is why when Korah rose up against Moses, he said as follows in Numbers 16:13, “Isn't it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert?” From a human point of view surely Egypt is a land flowing with milk and honey. The life in Egypt is safe, predictable, and self-sufficient. Then, how about the land of Canaan? In verse 11, Moses says, “But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.” In other words, unlike Egypt, in Canaan people must totally depend on rain to get water. They must depend on God for living. The life in Canaan is dependent and unpredictable.

Then, why is the land of Canaan called “a land flowing with milk and honey”? The answer is in verse 12. Moses says, “It (Canaan) is a land the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” Canaan is the land that the Lord takes care of. It is the land that the Lord himself is a Provider. So, The Lord promises his people, “If you love me and obey my commands, I will send rain on your land in its season so that you may gather in your grain” (13-14). From a human point of view, Canaan is not a land flowing with milk and honey. But, from God’s point of view, it is the most fertile and blessed land because only when we have a right relationship with God, we are able to live a prosperous life in the land of Canaan. In the following chapters, God gives detailed instructions to the Israelites how they should live as the people of God in the Promised Land. In particular, three things are essential: “worship and feast celebration,” “tithes and offerings,” and “clean food.” This morning we will mainly focus on the tithe: What is it? Why is it important? And how shall we be a tither?

What Is Tithing?

First of all, what is tithing? The word tithe simply comes from the Hebrew word “maaser,” which means ten percent. Tithe is one-tenth. Regarding what is tithing we need to ask two following questions: (1) To whom does the tithe belong? and (2) What type of money is the tithe? Firstly, the tithe is the Lord’s. It does not belong to us. Tithing is to simply return to God that which belongs to him. It is an act of acknowledgement: “Lord, here is what belongs to you. I am your steward!” Secondly, the tithe is holy. Leviticus 27:30 says, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” The tithe is dedicated to God, and it must be kept separate from that which is common. In order to understand what it means to be “dedicated to God,” we need to know the meaning of the Hebrew word, “cherem” (used in Lev 27:28). The same word “cherem” is also used in Joshua 6. Jericho was designated by God to be a “cherem” city. It was devoted to total destruction. It belonged to God. The Israelites must touch nothing. They must not take anything of it. However, there was one solider, named Achan. He violated this command and took some of cherem. This action of Achan did not affect just Achan himself and his family, but rather affected the entire community of Israel. The tithe belongs to the Lord, and it is holy and dedicated to God. We must not touch it. The tithe should not be mixed, and it cannot be replaced with other offerings. We need to do mission offerings, thank offerings, and all kinds of other offerings and donations, but they cannot substitute for the tithe because the tithe belongs to God and is dedicated to him from the beginning to the end (cf. Malachi 3:8).

Why Do We Pay Tithing?

And now, we will explore further why does the Lord emphasize on tithing? It is because through tithing we can learn to banish our fear and to trust the Lord as our “Provider.” One time I read an interesting story about a trapper in the African Congo. The natives hunt monkeys in a very creative way. They devised a monkey trap using a hollow gourd, and they pour peanuts through a small hole into the gourd. The monkey would reach in and grab the peanuts, but the hole was too small to remove his closed hand. Interestingly, once monkeys grab the peanuts, most of the time they never open their hand until they are caught. Many of us live in a mentality of “I can’t afford it.” We grasp tightly and try to keep everything under control. There is no one in this room who had an open hand to God from the beginning. We need to learn to open our hand, and in this respect tithing is a valuable spiritual discipline to open our hand to God in surrender and trust. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 says, “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year… so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.” Tithing banishes the fear of losing our control and strengthens our trust towards God. It is a faith journey from self-controllable life to God-dependent life. It is the practical action we put with the faith statement, “Lord, you are my source of provision.” Tithing requires faith for anyone. If we make $1,000 per month, giving that $100 is difficult, because we need every dollar available for expenses. If we make $10,000 per month, giving the $1,000 is difficult, because it is a lot of money. The discipline of tithing is very similar to the discipline of keeping the Sabbath holy. Sunday is not a weekend. It is the first day of the week. It is the day of worship and rest in the Lord. We rest on Sunday not because we worked hard during the previous week. However, by faith we rest on Sunday first to find time to have fellowship with God, and then we work hard throughout the week. In the same way, we tithe not because we can afford it. But, by faith we tithe first before using money for anything else. As we develop this spiritual discipline of tithing, we are able to learn to live a God-centered and God-dependent life more and more.

Tithing vs. Tither

Lastly, we will explore what is the difference between someone who tithes and a tither. Many people are tithing but never become tithers. The difference between the two has to do with the attitude and motive. It is very important for us to check our own attitude as we prepare our tithe. In Gen 4 the story of Cain and Abel teaches us what it takes to become a true tither. Both of them brought offerings. The Lord accepted Abel’s gift, but he did not accept Cain’s. Why? The primary difference had to do with their attitudes. The Bible says that Cain brought some of the fruits and Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. In other words, Abel brought not just an offering, but he brought the first and the best with all his heart. God wants us to be a tither rather than just tithing. Once I heard a testimony about the tithe from one devout Christian. She said that every first day of the month the first thing she does is to write a check for tithing before using money for anything else. I think she can be a good example of a true tither. God is not after our money, but rather after our heart. Every year about this time we do a financial stewardship campaign. Probably you have received the stewardship letter and pledge commitment card from the church. During offertory we will have an opportunity to lift up our pledge before the Lord. To some of you this stewardship campaign would be new and unfamiliar. But, I would like to invite you and commend you to be in prayer and seek the Lord’s direction. I don’t know how much your income is. I don’t know how much you make an offering to God. But, I strongly exhort you to one thing: Pray and consider beginning to give a full tithe if you haven’t started yet.

Out of Egypt

Before serving our church, I used to serve a half-time appointment church. During that time, several people asked me within and without the church, “How do you survive with that income?” My answer was, “I don’t know. But, I don’t just survive, but I do live a rich and satisfying life.” Surely I believe tithing is the key to the prosperous life. Today God’s command in tithing is descriptive, not directive. We don’t have to abide by it. We can choose to do or not to do. But if we choose to tithe, it will greatly benefit our life. Tithing is an invitation to a life of prosperity. But, biblical prosperity should not be confused with wealth and possessions. Biblical prosperity means to have peace, to be content, and to be whole through God who is our source of provision in any and every situation. Real prosperity is Life. My prayer is that all of us in this room may not just “survive” or “exist” in the Promised Land, but we may “live” a prosperous life with God and in God. “Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:40)

“The Steward and the Master” (Matt 25:14-30) - Kingdom Stewardship II –

“The Steward and the Master” (Matt 25:14-30)

- Kingdom Stewardship II –

Boiling Frog Syndrome

Have you heard of the boiling frog syndrome? It describes a frog slowing being boiled alive. The premise is that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death. Some biologists say the premise of the story is not literally true. However, regardless of the behavior of real frogs, the boiling frog story is useful as a metaphor in many ways. C.S. Lewis says, “The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestone, without signposts.” In the days of Noah, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered the ark. They knew nothing until the flood hit and swept everything away. So, Jesus says to his disciples and us, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matt 24:42). In Revelation 16:15 he also says, “Behold, I come like a thief!” We must be ready because our Lord Jesus will come an unexpected hour. Then, how can we prepare ourselves for the Day? Today’s scripture, the parable of the talents, gives a clear answer to this question.

Who Am I?

First of all, we must know who am I. The Bible says we are the stewards of Jesus Christ. In verse 14 Jesus says, “Again, it (the kingdom of heaven) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.” Then, who is a steward? A steward is someone entrusted with another’s wealth or property and charged with the responsibility of managing it in the owner’s best interest. In other words, a steward owns nothing; a master owns everything! So, the stewards should be always aware that they are not the owners, or the masters, but only caretakers or money managers. Their job is to use the possessions entrusted (not given) to them wisely to expand the master’s estate. If a steward does not fully grasp this identity, it is impossible for that steward to exercise proper stewardship. Randy Alcorn, in his book “Money, Possessions, and Eternity” uses an interesting analogy. Suppose you have something important you want to get to someone who needs it. You wrap it up and hand it over to the FedEx guy. What would you think if instead of delivering the package, he took it home, opened it, and kept it for himself? You would say, “This guy doesn’t get it. The packages don’t belong to him. He’s just the middleman. His job is to get them from me to the person I want to have it.” Just because God puts His money in our hands doesn’t mean He intends for us to keep it!

One time a man furiously rode his horse up to John Wesley, shouting, “Mr. Wesley, Mr. Wesley, something terrible has happened. Your house has burned to the ground!” But, Wesley replied, “No. The Lord’s house burned to the ground. That means one less responsibility for me.” Wesley’s reaction didn’t come from a denial of reality. Instead, it was from acute awareness that God is the owner of all things, and Wesley himself is simply his steward. Regarding stewardship, John Wesley posed four questions that will help us decide how to spend money as God’s stewards:

(1) In spending this money, am I acting as if I owned it, or am I acting as the Lord’s trustee?

(2) What Scripture requires me to spend this money in this way?

(3) Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord?

(4) Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?

If we really believe we are the stewards of Jesus, shouldn’t we constantly be asking him, “Lord, what do you want me to do with your money and your possessions?”

Two Types of Stewards

We own nothing; Jesus owns everything! According to today’s scripture there are two different types of stewards. One is a good and faithful steward, and the other is a wicked and lazy steward. What’s the difference? The difference between the two is this: the good and faithful steward has stewardship mentality, that is, “I own nothing; the master owns everything.” For him, the master is a giver. Everything he has comes from his master. So he wisely uses the money and possessions entrusted to him, he invests them, and he multiplies them for his master. He is excited and looking forward to the Day. And when the master returns and settles accounts, this steward joyfully gives back both principal and profit to his master. However, the wicked and lazy steward doesn’t have that stewardship mentality. For him, the master is a taker, hard man. He hides the property entrusted to him in the ground. In other words, he doesn’t do anything for his master. We may work hard all day long. We may be busy with many things. But, if we use, invest, store up the possessions entrusted to us for ourselves, not for the Lord, in His eyes we can be wicked and lazy stewards.

As a lesson in stewardship, my previous church has done “Grow-Your-Talent” campaign every year. Each participant takes five or ten dollars. Receivers are entrusted with this amount from the church, and their job is to invest and multiply that money. After 2 or 3 months, on a particular Sunday all participants give an account of what they did and return all profits to the church. One person used the money to make handmade products. Another person bought pecans to make pecan pies. Joyce bought shaved beef and made Korean BBQ and earned a good profit. This is a great exercise because it drives home the true essence of stewardship: “We own nothing; Jesus owns everything.” Not only five or ten dollars entrusted by the church on a particular Sunday, but also all the money we have belongs to God and is entrusted to us by him every day, week, month, and year of our lives. He wants us to pray and ask him to guide us and help us choose the best eternal investments, both small and large. Pastor John Piper says that when we truly grasp stewardship mentality, we no longer ask, “How much should I give?” But rather, we ask, “How much dare I keep?” We no longer ask, “Shall I tithe?” But rather, “How much of the money that I hold in trust for Christ can I take for my private use?” When we truly know that I am the steward and Christ is the Master, it totally changes our perspective. When the house is robbed, the car is totaled, or when diagnosis is an incurable disease, we will be able to say like John Wesley did, “Those are not mine; His house is robbed, His car is totaled, and His body is ill.” This stewardship mentality revolutionizes our perspective and gives us such a freedom and joy.

Am I a Good and Faithful Steward?

Few years ago I had a chance to take a discipleship course. In one of the sessions there was a time to draw up a will. At first, I thought I am too young to write a will. But once I sat down and began to write, there were lots of things to say. Then, it became clear who am I and what ultimately matters in the end. Since that time every year on my birthday I update my will and prepare myself for the Day. You may find an insert in your bulletin. On the front page there are some practical tips for godly lifestyle adjustments. And on the back of the page you will see “Transfer of Title.” I commend you to sit down and have time to read this title deed carefully. And if you stand on the agreement, please sign your name and put it up in a conspicuous place. It will visualize and reinforce stewardship mentality in your mind.

The Day is coming. Surely the Master will come back sooner or later. Romans 14:12 says, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” At that time nothing can be hidden; everything will be uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account! (Heb 4:13). At that time each of us in this room will stand before our Lord Jesus Christ and explain why we invested as we did. When you stand before Christ, what would you want to hear from him? For me, I would like to hear just one thing: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” That would be enough for me. My prayer is that all of us in this room will be praised in the same way.

As I wind up the message, I would like to share the life story of C.T. Studd as an example of a good and faithful steward of Jesus Christ. C.T. Studd was a rich and famous English athlete. But one day when missionary Hudson Taylor visited and called for missionaries to come to China, C.T. Studd surrendered his life to be a missionary to China. All his loved ones were against his decision. They said, “What a waste!” But, C.T. Studd said to them, “If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” While he was in China, his father died. And without delay he gave away his inheritance of £29,000 to Moody Bible Institute, George Muller mission work, George Holland’s work, and the Salvation Army in India. As he looked back on his life, he wrote this poem:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T. Studd knew who he was. He knew that he was just a steward of Jesus Christ. He knew all that he had – his time, his life, his family, his money and possessions – belonged to his Master. He used them, invested them, and multiplied them to expand his Master’s estate. Before leaving this room today, let us remember this truth: “We own nothing; Jesus owns everything! Only one life, it will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last!” Amen.