33 Principles of Stewardship
The NUMBER 33 appears several times in the Bible ...
 Jacob had 33 children.
 King David reigned over Israel for 33 years.
 Jesus was 33 years old when He gave his life for us.
It's a fascinating number, and now we're going to experience it in a very
special way. For 33 days we'll discover the full meaning of stewardship. It
will be a journey we'll long remember.
This important emphasis --- called 33 Days of Stewardship --- will guide us
into a deeper understanding of what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
We'll explore all the dimensions of stewardship - the management of
everything the God entrusts to us.
To understand stewardship is to grasp the essence of life's meaning. To
practice stewardship is to fulfill that meaning in a way that pleases God and
satisfies the most profound human longings.
(Principles 1-6)
1.
Principle #1—The Law of Rightful Ownership
a. Nothing truly belongs to us; everything actually belongs to
God.
b. Living the principle daily:
i. Think of yourself as the manager of a trust.
ii. Think of each day as an opportunity for service and
stewardship.
iii. Think of money as a means to an end, not the end itself.
2.
Principle #2—The Law of Purposeful Possession
a. Wise stewards are guided by Lordship, not “hoardship.”
b. Living the principle daily:
i. Richness toward God comes through seeing everything
as a gift from His hand.
ii. Richness toward God comes through seeking His
direction before settling on decisions.
iii. Richness toward God comes through caring more about
giving than getting.
3.
Principle #3—The Law of Miraculous Multiplication
a. The economics of stewardship is governed by the mathematics
of the supernatural.
b. Living the principle daily:
i. When faced with a major need, express confidence in the
Need-meeter.
ii. When faced with a major need, follow the directions.
iii. When faced with a major need, brace for a great
adventure.
4.
Principle #4—The Law of Guaranteed Return
a. As you give so it will be given to you.
b. Living the principle daily:
i. Check your eternal investment portfolio on a daily basis.
ii. Don’t allow worry to control your thoughts.
iii. Don’t give in order to get.
5.
Principle #5—The Law of Hilarious Generosity
a. God loves givers who give with the right attitude.
b. Living the principle daily:
i. Don’t talk yourself out of giving.
ii. Take money seriously, but not too seriously.
iii. Give with a smile, not a cringe.
6.
Principle #--The Law of Faithful Dependability
a. Trustworthiness marks the true steward.
b. Living the principle daily:
i. To be a trustworthy steward, you must handle the small
things with the same regard as the big things.
ii. To be a trustworthy steward, you must see everything in
life as sacred.
iii. Don’t keep the secret things of God; share them liberally.