True freedom financially only comes through being a good faithful steward / manager of god’s resources.   
 
1.  Stewardship is an element of true freedom.
○ God calls us to be free.  Galatians 5:13a - You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
○ Freedom comes from Knowing, and then also Obeying the truth. 
John 8:31b-32 –31b “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 
○ Freedom requires that we Not idolize money. 
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 
 
2.  God created us to thrive as stewards / managers of his resources.
○ God is the Owner of Everything.  Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; (Also Col. 1:16 & Heb. 1:3)
○ God Gives the Ability to produce wealth. – Deuteronomy 8:17-18a - 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,… (Health, Jobs, Educ.)  
 
○ God calls us and trusts us to be Effective Managers. – Genesis 2:15 - The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
 Parable of the Bags of Gold - Matthew 25:14-30 - 14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them…….   (Read Verses 20-30 on your own.)
● Good stewards practice gratitude, take responsibility, embrace opportunity, & look out for their masters’ interests.
● Bad stewards make excuses, take control, embrace status quo, & look out for their own interests.
 This is true for every aspect of our lives (relationships, gifts and talents, opportunities) but is especially important in our finances.
● We serve either God or money – Not both.  Matthew 6:24b - You cannot serve both God and money.
● Our hearts tend to follow our financial priorities.  Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
● Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  1 Timothy 6:10a - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
                                        
○ God expects us to be Trustworthy Managers of His Resources.
 Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
 Whoever can be trusted with little can be trusted with much. 
Luke 16:10-12 - 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
 God both rewards and judges according to how we have managed his resources.
Matthew 25:23, 26a, 28-30 - 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’…..    26a “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!.....    28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
                                                 
○ Stewardship is for Everyone, regardless of Financial Situation.
 The poor can still Devote themselves financially to God.
Mark 12:44 - They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
2 Corinthians 8:2-3a - 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability….
 Those who have Means have an opportunity to make kingdom impact.
Luke 8:3 - Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them (Jesus & His Disciples & Mission) out of their own means.
1 Timothy 6:17-18 - 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
 
Key Verses – Matthew 25:14 - “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 
1 Corinthians 4:2 - Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
 
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
 
1.  Commit to Being a Good Steward of God’s Resources He has Put Into Your Hands, & Managing Well What He has Entrusted to You.    
2.  Do the Daily Devotions & Assignments for Week 1 in the FreedUp App. 
 
3.  Join our 6 Week FreedUp App & Group TODAY to go with Message Series.