February 22, 2026: Stewardship and Mission | Acts 1:6-8, 2 Corinthians 8:3-9

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3: 9-11).

In our world of modernization, we have time management skills, life planning programs, and phone Apps.  Alerts set to tell us when our health is out of whack, where we are to be next,  when it’s time to pay a bill, or even auto birthday greetings for our friends. There are multitudes of “plans” to help us accomplish our goals at the gym, for losing or gaining weight,  and even for Bible reading.  The technological advances are wonderful; however, they should never replace the thought and leadings of the Holy Spirit.  It is easy to wish that we were more plugged in to our spiritual life, yet miss the opportunity for blessings because we set and let our technologies automate our lives.  The Holy Spirit did not change. He remains available to teach, remind, and direct but we have to be willing to prioritize and be led.  We cannot automate this part of our lives  Where on the list does your spiritual health and priorities lie?  Who is the Lord of your life?  Are you using the Holy Spirit to direct your steps and teach you about Jesus? 

The lesson today is a reminder to us all of the mission and stewardship of the body of Christ. As believers, it is important that the church not forget these things are not simply a matter of rote, careless, or ill considered thought.  The mission and stewardship we are going to address are the result of priority and the prayerful leading of the Holy Spirit.  As you study this lesson, ask yourself, Who is the lord of my life?  What priority do you place on being led by the Holy Spirit in your thoughts, activities and  giving?  

Acts 1:6-8

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Can you put yourself in the disciple’s place? So many things have taken place.  Not just normal things but incredibly, amazing acts of God!  For three years they have given their lives to following Jesus.  They saw the horrors of His crucifixion and burial. They rejoiced in His resurrection and instruction before ascending into Heaven.  He was the long awaited Messiah, the King promised to bring Israel back to their own governance.  The Kingdom, to throw off the yoke of Rome or any other nation.  

It is only natural that they would ask the question.  Jesus, will you now set up your kingdom?  The answer must have both surprised and discouraged them.  He replies that the time is not for them to know.  The Father knows. As Jesus has been obedient to the Father, they too must be in submission to His will.   Yet along with this loving rebuke is an amazing promise.  Another is coming, a Comforter sent from God.  The Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit is coming.  He will endue them with power.  He will lead them through the next phase, which is the building of Jesus’ church.. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26).

It is a reminder to us that the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, is present for every believer. 

The most important assignment we are given (our mission) and the mission of the church today remains the same as it was for the disciples. It is to reach unbelievers with the gospel, glorify the holy name of Christ, and to strengthen and encourage the saints. And this is done by the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  In every aspect of our mission and stewardship we will need His direction.  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-13)

2 Corinthians 8: 3-9

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Paul is writing his second letter to the church in Corinth.  As a reminder, his first letter addressed several issues of sin within the church.  In this, the second letter, he is sharing news from the church activities in Macedonia.  The northern Greeks have willingly gathered money for the christians in Jerusalem. There is a famine and a need. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea. (Acts 11: 28-29). The northern Greek churches (Thesalonica, Philippi, and Berea) had given much more than Paul had expected for their brethren in Jerusalem.  Why?  Paul says it is because they gave themselves wholly to God  and sought His will first.  This wasn’t a matter of luck, this was a purposeful  result of listening to the Holy Spirit.  

The second part of our lesson is about stewardship.  Stewardship is a word that isn’t used much in modern society but it means to wisely use the gifts, talents, abilities, and finances that God has given us.  Pause for just a minute here.  We work hard. We play hard. We build and take care of our families.  We buy houses.  We save money in the bank. But consider how you got these things.  Had you not been given the abilities from God you would not be able to do any of these things.  It truly, simply all belongs to God.  He as your loving Father, has generously, given you the ability and abundance that you experience.  He reasonably expects, that you will use his benefits wisely.  All of them, including your wealth. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8: 17-18).

Another important consideration is that as a believer, you no longer belong to yourself. Paul expertly reminds the Corinthians. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20). As a believer you committed your life to Jesus.  You are His.  You belong to Him.   You were bought with a price.  It was not a small price.  It was the Son of God leaving the riches and glories of Heaven, to come to  earth, becoming a mere man. His willingness to become man, to live a sinless life, to be brutalized, and crucified for each believers forgiveness, is our example. He was obedient to the Father.  He left nothing undone.  He gave His all. 

Mission and stewardship is our duty.  The faithfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty and accountability in our lives is the  recognition of Him as our Savior. We give - led by the Holy Spirit, because He gave it all.  Because the Holy Spirit leads us, we know when to do what is needed. We can’t give what we don’t have so comparisons are out.  We can do what the Holy Spirit directs.  The question is are we willing?  As individuals and as a church, we cannot lean on intentions. We have an obligation to respond to need with generosity since Jesus spared nothing on our behalf.  Again, who is Lord of your life?  

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12: 45-48).