Introduction: This week I listened to a TED talk about capitalism.
The speaker said capitalism was not a political theory or merely a
philosophy of economics, it was an “operating system.” Just like your
cell phone (or computer) has an operating system, the speaker argued
that capitalism was the way that successful economic life operated.
His example was that the two biggest economic systems in the world,
the United States and China, have completely different political
systems, but have capitalist economic systems. Our lesson this week
considers whether stewardship is the “operating system” of the
Christian life. Whatever may be your specific doctrinal views,
stewardship is the common denominator for successful Christians.
Let’s plunge into the Scriptures and see if you agree!
- Creation Operating System
- Read Genesis 1:26. What is God’s original operational
principle for humans? (Created like God, they would be
rulers over creation.) - Read Genesis 1:27-28. Did God command humans to exercise
His authority to rule? (Yes. God told us to rule over all
the animals and to subdue the earth.) - Read Genesis 1:29-30. If God’s revelation to humans
stopped here, what would you think God had in mind for
your life? (We were created to rule. That means we are
stewards of the earth and of our delegated authority from
God.) - Read Colossians 1:16-18. In this creation mandate, what
position does God take? (He is overall. We are rulers
under God’s authority. “All things were created for Him.”
That is our operational directive for our stewardship.) - What does the odd title, “firstborn from among the
dead” tell us about this description of God? (This
describes Jesus. He is the Creator and He is the
ruler to Whom we look for our authority.) - Read Colossians 1:19-23. What problem arose in our
rulership that Jesus has fixed? (We sinned. That alienated
us from God and made us His enemies. But, Jesus reconciled
us to God by His life and death.) - What does that suggest about our current situation?
(Two things. First, that we are restored to our same
“sub-ruler” role. Second, we have Jesus to thank for
our reinstatement.) - Logically, where does that place Jesus in our life?
(He is the center. Not only is Jesus the Creator who
made us like Him and gave us a rulership role, but He
restored us to that role at a very great cost to
Himself. This makes Jesus central to all that we do.) - How important to understanding our role in the world
is accepting the Genesis Creation account? - Doctrinal Operating System
- Read John 14:6. What is the universal principle for coming
to God? (You must come through Jesus.) - We are sub-rulers under Jesus, and beholden to Jesus
for our position. What expanded idea does John 14:6
add to our rulership role? (Jesus is our only source
of salvation. Not only did He provide for our
position (ruler), but He provided for our salvation
and our understanding of God.) - A common argument is that there are “many ways” to
God. Based on the other religions I know about, they
all have some truth. Psalms 19:1 tells us that the
heavens declare God’s glory. Romans 1:19-20 says that
God’s qualities are clear from the creation. How is
this consistent with Jesus being the only “way” to
God? (Jesus created the heavens! Jesus created
nature! Jesus reconciled humans to God! From any
angle that you contemplate this, Jesus is truly “the
way and the truth and the light” when it comes to
approaching God.) - Read Revelation 14:6. What message does this angel carry?
(The eternal gospel.) - Read Revelation 14:7. Who are we to worship? (We just
discussed that Jesus is the Creator, thus this is a call
to worship Jesus.) - Notice again, the reference to the Genesis creation
account. What is the basis for Jesus’ claim to
worship? (That He is the Creator. Accepting evolution
destroys the single most important argument for
worshiping God. Christians who accept evolution, do
not understand Satan’s strategy in this false
theory.) - As sub-rulers over the earth, what is our stewardship
obligation regarding this message? (The angel tells
us that “the hour of His judgment has come.” That
means that if we are to preserve the creation, we
need to share the urgent message of fearing and
glorifying our Creator God.) - Read Revelation 14:8. Why is this revelation important?
(“Babylon,” which pushes to alienate us from Jesus by
worshiping other gods, has been defeated. It is “fallen.”) - What does that mean about your rulership? (It is
safe! You get to keep being a ruler and a steward as
long as you are on the side of God.) - Is that something that you should share?
- Read Revelation 14:9-10. If Babylon is defeated, are
humans still joining the losing side?(One message we need
to promote is that Jesus has won! Apparently people don’t
realize this and keep joining the losing side.) - What is the choice that faces humans? (Worship Jesus,
and enter the path to the only way to God. Or,
worship the beast.) - What is the final outcome for those who reject Jesus
and choose to worship the beast? (You will receive
the full wrath of God and will burn.) - Read Revelation 14:11. Are these two statements linked?
Are the wicked without rest “day or night” because they
are being tormented with “burning sulfur?” - When a fire is burning well, does it produce smoke?
(In my limited experience, the smoke is greatest when
I’m trying to start a fire or when I’m putting it
out.) - Read Genesis 3:2-5. What lie did the serpent make
about sin and death? (He said that sin did not result
in death.) - If Satan’s statement about sin not ending in death is
a lie, then how can the wicked have an eternal life
of torture by burning sulfur? (I think Genesis
precludes the two concepts in Revelation 14:11 being
linked. The smoke rises forever because the fire is
out – it just keeps rising. During life, those who
worship the beast and reject Jesus have no rest. They
are tormented.) - Recall two weeks ago we studied 1 Corinthians 9:7-9
where Paul used common sense and an Old Testament
text about cattle to argue that Christians should
support gospel workers? Should we use common sense
to understand God’s statements about the fate of the
wicked? (Yes, if two alternative meanings are
possible.) - If you agree that “yes” is the correct answer,
think of the most horrendous crime that has
come to your attention. In your opinion, would
it be a just penalty to burn that criminal with
sulfur forever? - Read Revelation 14:12. What kind of attitude do we need in
the last days? (Patience! “Patient endurance.”) - What actions and attitudes should be reflected in our
stewardship? (First and foremost, we remain faithful
to Jesus. We are rulers under Him, and we are
stewards of His gospel and His creation. Second, we
obey God. We understand that God gave His
commandments to us to make our lives better.) - Friend, do you agree that understanding our relationship
with Jesus, understanding that He is our Creator and
Redeemer, and that He gave us authority to rule, directs
our stewardship for Him? If you agree, why not decide
today to accept your role as ruler, and serve and worship
Jesus? - Next week: Debt- A Daily Decision
