Money and Time
Two Examples of Wise Stewardship as Worship to God
Aaron Lee | February 25, 2024 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | Proverbs 6:1-11
Introduction
Proverbs is a book of wisdom. It’s a book about living wisely. Part of living wisely means knowing how to correctly take care of and use what God has given us. This is called stewardship. Today we’re going to see two important items that God wants us to steward. The world tells us that we can use our money and time however we want. I don’t think this is true. I want to show us that the Bible says we must steward our money and time well as worship to God.
1. Money
6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger, 2 you have been snared by the words of your mouth—trapped by the words from your mouth. 3 Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor. 4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. 5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a hunter’s trap (Proverbs 6:1-5)
This section is about financial entanglements.First, The text talks about putting up security for your neighbor – this means saying that you make a promise to pay for him if he cannot pay for himself. It also talks about entering into an agreement with a stranger – making some sort of deal about money. And it specifically talks about being trapped by what we say about our money. It gives the idea of putting yourself in a bad position, putting yourself in a bad situation with your money. This type of situation is so bad that the Bible says you are put in the power of your neighbor – you need to escape from the trap like you’re an animal that is caught and going to be killed. Messing with money is a matter of life and death when it is not stewarded wisely and well.
Jesus would have known the value of money growing up. Mary and Joseph didn’t have a home when Jesus was born in the manger. His father was a working man, and Jesus would have had to learn how to help his dad as a carpenter. Even Nazareth, where Jesus came from, wasn’t known to be the most well off town.
So, will you steward your money? I don’t think it’s too early for you to start thinking about how you will spend your money. What this proverb shows us is that we shouldn’t be quick and loose about our money. We shouldn’t talk as if we have so much money and we can just do whatever we want with it. That’s not true. The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evils. So we shouldn't love our money and keep it all for ourselves, either. Instead, we can use our money for the glory of God by being wise about it and considering what can be afforded. Start thinking now about how money is valuable, and it can be used well to provide for your family and for the needs of others. Making sure you have enough money to give to missions is a great way to steward your money.
Don’t be loose with your money. You will lose control over it. Steward it well as worship to God.
2. Time
6 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. 7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler, 8 it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. 9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 11 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. (Proverbs 6:6-11)
This section is about laziness. The text talks about slacking off, sleeping, and staying in bed. It’s being so lazy that you don’t want to do anything. This type of lifestyle leads to poverty – a connection to our previous point about money. You’ll be in need and it will sneak up on you when you don’t expect it. It’s a scary situation to be in. The Bible tells you to look at the ant, an insect so small yet knows how to take care of itself. It has the motivation to prepare and plan, gather and get work done. This is wise living – to use your time well. This section is about more than just mindless working – it’s about being productive. Using your time well is a matter of making the most of what you have so you can be ready for anything.
When Jesus was 12 years old, the Bible says that Jesus was in the synagogue amongst the teachers, and they were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Jesus must have used his time very wisely as a boy if he was able to impress his teachers at 12 years old. And that same passage says that he continues to grow in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man. Jesus was not lazy growing up. He used his time to learn.
So, will you steward your time? You don’t go to work, but you go to school. Think about how school is a special time for learning. It would be wise to go to school prepared to learn. Don’t think of school as a time to goof off. Make the most of your teachers and friends to really learn. The same goes for when you come to church. Church is a special time to worship God. You can steward your homework or music practice time well - making sure you do it without procrastinating - and this will give you time to spend with God and be with your family. Building these habits now will prepare you for when you do go to work and must steward your time well.
Don’t be lazy with your time. You will lose control over it. Steward it well as worship to God.
Gospel
I talked about Jesus taking care of his money and time when he was young. What about when he grew older?
Jesus did not let money get in the way of his relationships with others. He seemed to be mostly concerned about how money impacted our relationship with God. He taught that we should not hoard our money, but to lay up treasures in Heaven. He was happy to see Zaccheus give back the money that he took from others. And he praised the woman who gave two coins - all that she had - as an offering to God. Jesus wants us to be in control of our money, not for our money to control us.
Jesus lived a perfect life and made perfect use of his time. As a boy, he used his time to grow in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man. As a man, he was in perfectly in tune with God’s timing - knowing when to escape a crowd and when to engage. He often woke up early in the morning to pray and spend time alone with God. Jesus was not necessarily about efficiency. One time he went out of the way because he knew he had to speak to a woman at a well. He knew when he had to put in the extra time to do God’s hard work. Jesus was not lazy. He was the perfect worker who used his time well.
Proverbs talks about the fool. We are foolish about our money and time. Admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, and confess him as the resurrected Lord over your life. You will be saved. You will be adopted into God’s family. You can follow him here on earth and you will follow him into Heaven, where Jesus will be the King over all your money and time. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to live a life of wisdom that follows in Christ’s footsteps.
Big Idea
Steward your money and time wisely as worship to God.
Conclusion
Money and time are both gifts from God - not as an end in themselves, not meant to be used for ourselves, but to be used for God’s glory. I pray that you will learn to spend your money and time wisely because both belong to God.