It's Not What You Got -- It's What You Do With It
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: Stewardship is using wisely what we have.
Matthew 25:14-29 relates the story of three workers being entrusted with the employer's property, each being given a portion to take care of. Two of the workers used the property wisely and one did not. For the purpose of this sermon it would have been far better if Jesus had told the story with the person getting the least portion doing better with it than the ones who got more. Let's imagine he did tell it that way and it was changed in the process of recording and recopying over time. The point is still abundantly clear either way: the way we use what we have is important.
a. We've been given different talents. One of my professors at Duke reminded me how hard it is to fill a cup to the brim when holding it under a faucet running at full force. Then he said some of us have spoons. The world wouldn't function well if we all had the same talents. We need the variety for the complexity of life.
b. How much isn't important. We delight in measuring talents and abilities. We shouldn't. Some talents considered lesser are just as important as the glamorous ones. We complain and clamor for more or greater talents, while not using what we have. There are wonderful opportunities that take little talent! In one church I served, one of the members suffered a paralyzing stroke. Several men in the church went over to his house regularly for years to help bathe and take care of him so that he could remain in his own home.
c. Use it wisely. After inheriting my daughter's ten-speed bike, I found it complicated and ended up using only one of the middle gears. You have known folks who cover up seats in new cars with seat covers to preserve them. You're one of them, aren't you! Many persons cover the couch with a blanket to save the fabric and go the entire lifetime of the couch never seeing it. One church member saw students on their way home from school picking the flowers in her yard. I would have rushed out and scolded them. Not her. She went out and visited with them about how nice it was that they appreciated beautiful flowers. She told them that anytime they wanted a bouquet to just knock on her door and she would help them pick some. What a wonderful witness.
d. That's how we get more. The point isn't to get more. The point is that responsibility and maturity bring additional gifts with which to serve: wisdom and increased talent.
Matthew 25:14-29 relates the story of three workers being entrusted with the employer's property, each being given a portion to take care of. Two of the workers used the property wisely and one did not. For the purpose of this sermon it would have been far better if Jesus had told the story with the person getting the least portion doing better with it than the ones who got more. Let's imagine he did tell it that way and it was changed in the process of recording and recopying over time. The point is still abundantly clear either way: the way we use what we have is important.
a. We've been given different talents. One of my professors at Duke reminded me how hard it is to fill a cup to the brim when holding it under a faucet running at full force. Then he said some of us have spoons. The world wouldn't function well if we all had the same talents. We need the variety for the complexity of life.
b. How much isn't important. We delight in measuring talents and abilities. We shouldn't. Some talents considered lesser are just as important as the glamorous ones. We complain and clamor for more or greater talents, while not using what we have. There are wonderful opportunities that take little talent! In one church I served, one of the members suffered a paralyzing stroke. Several men in the church went over to his house regularly for years to help bathe and take care of him so that he could remain in his own home.
c. Use it wisely. After inheriting my daughter's ten-speed bike, I found it complicated and ended up using only one of the middle gears. You have known folks who cover up seats in new cars with seat covers to preserve them. You're one of them, aren't you! Many persons cover the couch with a blanket to save the fabric and go the entire lifetime of the couch never seeing it. One church member saw students on their way home from school picking the flowers in her yard. I would have rushed out and scolded them. Not her. She went out and visited with them about how nice it was that they appreciated beautiful flowers. She told them that anytime they wanted a bouquet to just knock on her door and she would help them pick some. What a wonderful witness.
d. That's how we get more. The point isn't to get more. The point is that responsibility and maturity bring additional gifts with which to serve: wisdom and increased talent.
