Today we begin a four week series Stewardship: Who do YOU see?
Stewardship
is always about taking care of something that belongs to someone else; in this
case what belongs to God. We will
reflect on our relationships with other people and the challenges of money in
our lives.
Read the scripture below to prepare for worship:
Then God said, “Let us make human
beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the
sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and
the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and
multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the
birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” --Genesis 1:26-28 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight
and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race
that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus
the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at
the right hand of the throne of God.
3
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from
sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet
resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as
children—
"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of
the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by
him;
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts."
6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts."
7
Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as
children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in which all
children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9 Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us,
and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the
Father of spirits and live? 10 For they
disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us
for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 Now, discipline always seems painful rather than
pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to
those who have been trained by it. --Hebrews 12:1-11 (NRSV)
"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
29 If anyone
strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away
your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if
anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would
have them do to you.
32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. --Luke 6:27-42 (NRSV)
32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. --Luke 6:27-42 (NRSV)
