“And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34, NKJV). Esau was a rugged outdoorsman who followed his passions. When he smelled his brother’s stew, he wanted the lentils immediately, even though it was unlikely that he was dying from … Continue reading –>
The prophets and Elisha were getting wood by the River Jordan when “the iron axhead fell into the water. ‘Oh no, my lord!’ [one of the prophets] cried out. ‘It was borrowed” (2 Kings 6:5, NIV). The verb “to borrow” means using with permission something that belongs to another. This permission carries risk and responsibility. Borrowed … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Ps. 37:21, Matt. 4:3-10, Matt. 6:33, Deut. 28:12, Prov. 13:11, Prov. 21:5, 2 Cor. 4:18. Memory Text: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: At times chariot wheels had to have the band of iron reset because of stretching caused by the metal’s striking against the road. This resetting took a lot of hard banging and hammering on the iron band itself. This resetting of the band of iron represents stewardship as practical sanctification. It is having the … Continue reading –>
Christ wants us to live a holy life. His life illustrates “holiness” and what ultimate stewardship should look like (Heb. 9:14). We should manage our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, including how we manage all that we have been entrusted with. Stewardship is an expression of that holiness. Compare 1 Peter 1:15-16 with Hebrews 12:14. What do … Continue reading –>
Only twice has God warned the world of coming catastrophe: once to Noah (Gen. 6:13-18, Matt. 24:37) and the other through the three angels’ messages (Rev. 14:6-12). These messages pull back a curtain to reveal a unique perspective on future world events. Our understanding of these messages has matured over time, but the message and mission are still justification … Continue reading –>
The sanctuary is central because it is where the great truth of salvation is so powerfully expressed, where the meaning of the cross is revealed. And all our doctrines, one way or another, must be linked to the gospel promise and salvation. Like the spokes of the wheel, other doctrines come out from the great … Continue reading –>
One doesn’t usually think of the sanctuary in the context of stewardship. Yet the link is there because the sanctuary is so crucial to our belief system, and stewardship is part of the system. “The correct understanding of the ministration [of Christ] in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith.” – Ellen G. … Continue reading –>
Jesus is the central figure throughout the Bible (John 5:39), and we need to see ourselves in relationship to Him. He paid the penalty for sin and is “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and all things are in His hands (John 13:3). His name is higher than all others, and … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Col. 1:16-18; Heb. 4:14-16; 3 John 3; Gen. 6:13-18; Rev. 14:6-12; 1 Pet. 1:15-16. Memory Text: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7, NIV). Because of the depth and breadth of stewardship, it is easy to get lost in the big picture, bogged down by tangents and … Continue reading –>
