Kingdom Economics
Part 1: Kingdom Stewardship
By Andy Elmes
Understanding God’s Kingdom economy starts with having Kingdom-mindedness and understanding your Kingdom citizenship
Acknowledging our citizenship to an alternate kingdom and its rule and reign that is present here and now.
Choosing to live like citizens of God’s Kingdom
A standard definition for the Kingdom is “rule & reign,” and so to be a Kingdom person is to recognise the rule and reign (ways) of the realm you now identify with
We are a people restored to His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13), with every aspect of our lives aligned with his reign, including our resources
An example of having two different kingdom experiences
Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Two different financial kingdoms present at once with two different experiences
A good parallel between a world financial system and a Kingdom one
This world’s kingdom’s that takes everything from you or God’s Kingdom which restores and resources you
GOOD STEWARDSHIP
3 Honest questions:
Do you see yourself as an owner or a steward of your earthly wealth?
Who does my earthly substance (my stuff) actually belong to?
What would you have without God and His ability?
We find the answer to these questions in Deuteronomy 8:10-18 (NIV)
We are stewards of what God has given and entrusted to us, therefore we are to live like stewards.
1 Peter 4:10
1 Corinthians 4:2
Original design. Humankind was made and positioned to manage – Genesis1:2
Jesus taught parables on good and bad stewardship. – Luke 16:1-13 & Matthew 25: 14-30
As Stewards:
We now see ourselves as being given the responsibility to handle and manage what He entrusts us with in our lives and in His Church
We should have open hands of stewardship rather than clenched fists of ownership
Key thought: “If He can get it through us, He will get it to us!”
Money and resource are not meant to be:
Abused or wasted.
Stored or hoarded.
Worshipped or served.
Jesus specifically warned about this in His statement on mammon in Matthew 6:24
Mammon – Spirit of serving & loving money
Money isn’t evil, but the love of it is – 1 Timothy 6:10
Understanding its purpose
It is to be used to meet your needs and also the needs of others
To build God’s kingdom and make his covenant known on the earth
Good stewardship has both a natural and a spiritual dimension
Naturally:
Check there is no waste in your lives and budgets
Cut back where you need to so you have what you really need
Go through your budgets, and manage your income and outgoings
Seek council & wisdom from people who handle money well
Spiritually:
Recognise that you are managing and caring for what He has entrusted you with
You are acknowledging Him in all your ways, including the ways that include your resources.
Look to Him daily concerning the finances He brings to you and finances He wants to get through you to others
10th July 2022