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Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"The Trust Test, part one" 
From the series: "STEWARDSHIP: It's a Matter of Trust"
Sunday, October 12, 2003 

Proverbs 3:1-10 [page 627 in pew Bible]

 

1. Take a personal inventory. 

Psalm 139:23,24--Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

3 Observations about this Prayer of Inventory: 

•Only God knows everything about us.
•Only God can lead me correctly.
•Taking inventory and trusting God begins with me. 

(Read Proverbs 3:5-10) 

 

2. Recognize God as our source. 

Deuteronomy 8:18--But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. 

(See also Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 6:27; James 4:14; Acts 27:20) 

 

3. Understand God’s principles. 

3 Reasons why Christians don’t give more to God:
•They don’t think that they can give and meet their own needs. 
•They don’t know how to give. 
•They don’t plan to give. 

 

Stewardship Principles that make a difference 

1. The “Who’s In Charge?” principle. 

Psalm 24:1--The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 

 

2. The “Give and Grow” principle. 

Practicing stewardship enables people to... 

•Find their spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 12
•Increase their faith. Mal. 3:10
•Become spiritually sensitive. Mal. 3:8-10
•Be fruitful in God’s kingdom. Matt. 25:14-30 
•Receive blessings from God. Mal. 3:10-12
•Be a blessing to others. Gal. 6:10
•Make a lasting contribution to God. Matt. 6:20 

 

3. The “Do it Now” principle.

 

4. The “I'm in Debt” principle. 

Romans 1:14,15 [LB]--I owe a great debt to you and to everyone else, both to civilized people and uncivilized alike; yes, to the educated and uneducated alike. So, to the fullest extent of my ability, I am ready to come also to you in Rome to preach God’s Good News. 

 

5. The “Fountain of Youth” principle.

 

Small Group Discussion Questions: 

  1. What keeps us from totally trusting God? 
    What builds and what breaks trust in your relationships with others?
  2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
    What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 
  3. Share with each other various ways God has provided for you in the past. 
  4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group. 

 

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
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