Build His Kingdom

In this sermon from Act Like a Man: Real Men 101, Pastor Mark preaches on how we can be good stewards if we handle the money God has entrusted to us in a godly way.

STEWARD: Build His Kingdom

  • Would never move family into a home that was not architected & inspected
  • Most budgets & schedules not architected & inspected
  • Vision retreat started w/vacation drive home (work in vs on life)

What is a steward?

  1. God is the owner. Haggai 2:8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
  2. I am the manager. 1 Peter 4:10 use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

-e.g – investment broker, real estate management company, landscaper

What are a godly man’s priorities?

  1. Healthy Christian
  2. Healthy Spouse
  3. Healthy Parent/Grandparent
  4. Healthy Worker
  5. Healthy Church Member
  • Someone or something picks your priorities (family, crisis, push people, pain?)
  • A value is what you care about a priority is what you do.
  • You have to say “no” so you can say “yes”.
  • Know the difference between self-care and being selfish.
  • Everyone & everything is important, just not equally important

Jealousy = in my place

Pray, Plan, Pivot (Nehemiah)

  1. Pray – 9 prayers (1,2,4,5,6,13)
  2. Plan – $, construction, legal, PR plan, security, travel , business, ministry plans
  3. Pivot – security, forego salary, pr statements,

Budget Guidelines

  1. God and Government

Tithe: Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…

Taxes: Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…

  1. Expenses

Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

  1. housing – usually biggest expense, roughly 25% of income
  2. auto – #2 $ (maint, gas, insur). ½ cars 10 yrs & older on rd, 200k mi meta lifespan. New car loses 15%-25% drive off lot. Older cars cheaper parts, taxes, ins, tabs. Buy friends & family.
  3. food – lack of meal planning & eating out drive this upward
  4. debt elimination – women ages 21-34 are most likely to have credit card debt
  5. insurance (medical, dental, renters/homeowners, disability, life, comprehensive auto)
  6. Savings

Proverbs 30:25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer…

  1. 6 months of your expenses in an accessible account,
  2. 2nd account saving for large upcoming purchases
  3. Investments

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children…

  • Investment portfolio – college fund, stocks, bonds, real estate etc.

Our Kids –

  • No car debt
  • No credit card debt
  • No college debt
  • Help w/first home purchase, plan on staying there 5+ years and building equity
  1. EOS Life
  2. Balance – income & freedom

Steward Suggestions

  1. Know the size of your plate, and your wife’s plate
  2. If you put something on your plate, take something off your plate
  3. When a season changes, things need to change
  4. Record everything in one place
  5. Have a shared calendar with your spouse
  6. Have a weekly sync and a weekly date
  7. Always have fun on the calendar

Discussion questions 

  1. Where are you strong steward?
  2. Where are you a weak steward?
  3. How can we pray for you?
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Mark Driscoll

It's all about Jesus! Read More