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New Creation - Dani
Sermon Summary
This sermon emphasises that stewardship is about loving God and others by responsibly managing our resources, following Jesus' example of love and sacrifice, and being attentive to the Spirit's guidance in our daily decisions.
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This morning, we explored what it means to live as a new creation, especially in the area of stewardship—how we handle the resources God has entrusted to us. I began with a personal story about finding a $20 note at the supermarket, a simple but real-life test of integrity and stewardship. This led us to the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, a man whose life was marked by disorder—he was a tax collector, wealthy at the expense of others, and despised by his community. Yet, when Jesus drew near to Zacchaeus, He didn’t reject him. Instead, Jesus affirmed Zacchaeus’s identity and called him to a reordered life, one marked by generosity and justice.
We considered how Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus led to a radical transformation. He didn’t just feel remorse; he acted, giving away half his possessions and making restitution. This wasn’t because Jesus demanded it, but because love had reordered his heart. The story challenges us to recognise the disorder in our own lives and in our world—whether it’s greed, self-interest, or the ways our culture encourages us to isolate and prioritise ourselves. Jesus steps into our disorder, not to condemn, but to invite us into a new way of living.
We reflected on the Shema from Deuteronomy—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength”—and how Jesus expanded this commandment: to love our neighbour as ourselves. True stewardship, then, is not just about money or possessions, but about our whole lives—our time, energy, skills, and relationships. It’s about listening to the Spirit’s promptings and responding in love, whether we have much or little.
Stewardship is not a formula or a program; it’s a posture of the heart. Each of us is entrusted with different resources, and the call is to ask God, “How do you want me to steward what you’ve given me?” The Spirit leads us uniquely, and our responsibility is to listen and obey, trusting that God will use our faithfulness, however small, to bless others and glorify His name.
Key Takeaways
1. Stewardship Begins with Identity, Not Resources
Zacchaeus’s transformation started when Jesus affirmed his identity as a son of Abraham, not when He gave him a list of rules. Our stewardship flows from knowing who we are in Christ—beloved, redeemed, and called. When we understand our true identity, generosity and justice become natural responses to God’s love.2. Jesus Draws Near to Disorder, Not Perfection
Jesus intentionally sought out Zacchaeus, a man whose life was disordered and despised. He does the same with us, stepping into our mess and inviting us to reorder our lives around His love. The presence of Jesus is not a reward for having it all together, but an invitation to transformation.
3. True Repentance Results in Tangible Change
Zacchaeus didn’t just feel sorry; he made restitution and gave generously. Repentance is more than a change of mind—it’s a change of direction, seen in how we use our resources for the good of others. Our faith is authenticated by the practical ways we love our neighbour.
4. Stewardship Is About the Heart, Not the Amount
The call to stewardship is not reserved for the wealthy or those with abundance. Even those with little are called to steward what they have—time, skills, relationships—for God’s purposes. What matters is a heart that listens to the Spirit and responds in obedience, regardless of the size of our resources.
5. The Spirit Guides Us in Everyday Decisions
There is no universal blueprint for stewardship; the Spirit leads each of us uniquely. In moments of decision—big or small—we are invited to pray, “Give me wisdom to know what to do right now,” and then act on what we sense God is prompting. Faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibility and impact.
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