LDI Couch ItIsAlllHis

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IT’S ALL HIS. Whole-Life Stewardship LDI April 21, 2006

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Most Counter-Cultural Challenge Man’s ownership is foundational to capitalistic society God’s ownership is foundational to biblical stewardship How do we experience this counter-cultural life?

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Luke 3:3,6,7 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? The First Sermon in the Kingdom of God

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Luke 3:8,9 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

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Luke 3:10-12 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

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Luke 3:13,14 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

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Did anyone ask about money? What was the question? What shall we do? Kingdom of God ushered in with radical life-changing stewardship

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Mathew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Kingdom of God/His righteousness FIRST All these things—food, clothing, shelter—added

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Learn from the birds: Swans mate for life If birds out early in rain, it’ll rain all day Industrious: Early bird Builds nest Feeds young Who cares for the birds? Don’t worry!!!

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Unconditionally Available Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. Matthew 21:2,3

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Sometimes, Jesus Asks at Inopportune Times. Luke 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke 5:4-6

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And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:7 When ALL is unconditionally available, our needs are met miraculously, timely.

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP What Is Materialism? Materialism is an attempt to find meaning in a universe that has been stripped of meaning through the denial of its Creator. This is the heart and soul of materialism—it is not a random form of behavior but the logical conclusion of an incorrect theology. Materialism does not begin with a wrong view of things; it ends there. It begins with a wrong view of God, which produces a wrong view of man and a wrong view of things. Money, Possessions and Eternity, Randy Alcorn

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Materialism will produce a society where independence is the only absolute, where self-interest is the only creed, where convenience, expediency, and profitability are the only values. People know the price of everything, but the value of nothing. People have a great deal to live on, but very little to live for. Randy Alcorn

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Materialism → Covetousness → Idolatry Colossians 3:5

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Luke 16:13b-15 Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

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No limit to human mind’s ability to rationalize or justify What man holds in high esteem $25,000 a night hotel suite, three-story tree house with big screen TV Abomination to God

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP How Do we Beware of Covetousness? Great Grace Great Power Filled with the Holy Ghost

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Acts 4:31,32 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

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And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:33-35

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First Response to Holy Ghost Was Generosity Glimpse of resurrection empowered them to sell burial plots Eternal perspective to giving

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A revival of lavish giving and strategic living is a revival of grace that will be accompanied by the power of God. As the body of Christ gets serious about learning and living God’s instructions concerning money and possessions, the cause of Christ will be furthered and the person of Christ exalted in us and through us as never before. Randy Alcorn

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Giving breaks hold of materialism, legalism for individuals and the church Luke 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Live simply in a materialistic world. Live contented in a discontented world. Live securely in a fearful world. Live holy in a sinful world.

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IT’S ALL HIS. WHOLE-LIFE STEWARDSHIP Three Inner Attitudes: A gift from God Maintained by God Unconditionally available to God/others Money, Ministry, Family, Health, Time, and Talent

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C. T. Studd was a rich and famous English athlete who sold his entire estate, gave the money away, and went to the mission field to serve Christ. He summed up the perspective that motivated him in these words: Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done For Christ will last.

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Jan Couch P.O. Box 2910 Cleveland, TN 37320-2910 423.559.5222 FAX: 423.472.5037 kjcouch@aol.com jan@cogop.org