Jesus: The Greatest Example of Stewardship
Sabbath School
First and Second Corinthians
Stewardship and Mission
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” — 2 Corinthians 8:9, NKJV
When we think about stewardship, we often think about money. We may think about tithes, offerings, budgets, or how we use our possessions. But Christian stewardship is much bigger than money. It is about recognizing that everything we have ultimately comes from God and asking how we can use it for Him.
Paul points us directly to Jesus as the greatest example of stewardship. Jesus was rich, yet He willingly became poor for our sake. He left the glory of heaven, took upon Himself humanity, and gave His life on the cross so that we could receive the riches of salvation. He did not give because He had to. He gave because He loved us.
Philippians 2:5–8 gives us another picture of this incredible sacrifice. Jesus humbled Himself, became a servant, and was obedient even to the point of death on the cross. His life was not centered on what He could receive. It was centered on what He could give.
That changes the way we should look at stewardship. If Jesus gave Himself completely for us, then our giving should not be motivated merely by obligation or fear. It should be a response to His love. First John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
This does not mean that every Christian must give the same amount of money. God looks at the heart. Jesus praised the widow who gave two small coins because, although her gift was small, her sacrifice was great (Mark 12:41–44). True stewardship asks, “Lord, what can I give You?” rather than, “What is the least I can give and still be faithful?”
Jesus also teaches us that our possessions should never become our master. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What we do with our time, money, abilities, and possessions reveals what matters most to us.
And there is an important promise in 2 Corinthians 8:9. Jesus became poor so that we might become rich—not necessarily rich in earthly possessions, but rich in grace, forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. The greatest gift has already been given. Jesus gave Himself for us.
So when we give, serve, help someone, share what we have, or use our abilities for God, we are not trying to buy His favor. We are simply responding to the One who gave everything for us.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Yourself completely for us. Forgive us when we become selfish with our time, money, possessions, or abilities. Help us to remember Your sacrifice whenever we are tempted to hold back. Teach us to become generous people—not because we are forced to give, but because Your love has changed our hearts. Help us to use everything You have entrusted to us in ways that honor You and bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
