Managing Our Lord's Estate

Genesis 39: 1-6

THEME: Biblical Stewardship Is the Key to Overcoming Financial Indebtedness and Bondage.  As Christians we are to faithfully, wisely, and diligently manage our Lord’s affairs and the property He has placed in our managerial care.

INTRODUCTION:

Joseph was sold by his brothers to some Ishmaelite Merchantmen.  These traveling salesmen went down to Egypt and there they sold Joseph to Potipher, Captain of Pharaoh’s Palace Guards.  Joseph started out as a slave in Potipher’s house and was soon advanced to Overseer or Steward of the entire estate of his master.  This story gives us three basic principles about Stewardship.

LESSON:

THE PRINCIPLES OF STEWARDSHIP

Imperative for our day is a stewardship that is not fractional, but which brings the whole life into proper relationship between God and man. Clinging to church membership by having one’s name on the roll does not prove that one belongs to the church.  Proof is living, active participation in the worship and the service of the church. --J. H. Melton

EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD

Gen 39:4, And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Gen 39:6, And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Even though we have many things in our possession none of them really belong to us, they all actually belong to God.  He owns it all.  Therefore, He has the right and authority to tell us how His property is to be used.

Exodus 19:5, Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Ps 24:1, The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.            

Hag 2:8, The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

STEWARDSHIP IS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFAIRS OF ANOTHER

Matthew 25:14-15, For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ¹⁵And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

A Steward is a Manager of another’s estate or affairs.  Stewardship is the management of the affairs or estate of another.  And from this period in Joseph’s life we find a parallel for the Christian who is to be a steward of God. 

The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples the principles of stewardship in Matthew 25:14-31. The word 'stewardship' means the "management of the affairs or estates of another" - Genesis 39:1-6. Christian stewardship involves a great deal more than just money.  It entails the whole of man's relationship to God and man.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A STEWARD OF GOD

Gen 39:1, And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.  (Like Joseph we as Christians have been bought and we belong to Christ)

Matt 25:14-15, For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15, And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Being a Christian means being a steward of God, we belong to Him and He has certain responsibilities to entrust us with. As Believers we ALL are not owners but we ALL are Managers of those things that God has placed in our care.  We are Stewards or in charge of His property (Ge. 15:2; 43:19; 1 Ch. 28:1; Mt. 20:8; Lk. 16:1-8).  Therefore, we cannot simply decide what we will do with His property.  We can only do what He instructs us to do with His property.  We need to consciously transfer all ownership of our possessions to God who rightfully owns them.

            1.  Christians Are Stewards of the Gospel (1 Co. 4:1,2),

            2.  Christians Are Stewards of Spiritual Gifts and Ministries (1 Pe. 4:10,11),

1 Peter 4:10-11, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold [Multi-colored] grace of God. ¹¹If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

APPLICATION: Think about the Multicolored Grace of God the next time you feel Blue, see Red, or feel Yellow. What about the next time your situation seems Gray and you are indecisive or maybe the future is Black and you are uncertain.  Apply the appropriate color of Grace for whatever the problem may be.

            3.   Christians Are Stewards of  All That They Own (1 Ti. 6:17-19).

1 Tim. 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; ¹⁸That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; ¹⁹Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

            4.  The Steward Is Responsible for His Sphere of Service and Will Give Account to His Master.     (See Luke 19:11-27; Matt. 25:14-30)

GOD REQUIRES HIS STEWARDS TO SERVE FAITHFULLY

Gen 39:6, And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

1 Cor 4:2, Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

FAITHFUL MEANS: TRUSTWORTHY, RELIABLE, RESPONSIBLE, and DILIGENT!

As Stewards we are to seek to increase the Kingdom of God by faithfully managing whatever the Lord has committed to us.  It does not matter if someone else has a greater or less responsibility then you, you must faithfully manage that which Our Lord committed to YOU!

We are not to be lazy, unfaithful, half-hearted, irresponsible and unwise in our management of our Lord’s estate.

Just Suppose

Just suppose the Lord would begin tomorrow to make people sick as they claim to be On Sunday.

Just suppose the Lord should take away the children whom the parents use as an excuse for Staying away from church.

Just suppose the Lord should make the people as poor as they claim to be when asked to help finance His program.

Just suppose the Lord should have everyone stoned to death for covetousness as was Achan.

Just suppose the Lord should let some parents look into the future and see what their example and lax control did for their children.

Just suppose-and then, by the help of the Lord, go forth and live and serve as if eternity was soon coming.

It is! "I come quickly" (Rev. 22:12), says the Lord.