In this series of teaching on stewardship, John Cole revised and taught from a published course made available without copyright by local church pastors shared for churches like ours. Read the handout notes here...

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INTRODUCTION

Job 2:10

What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?

WHERE DOES SICKNESS COME FROM?

Romans 8:19–23

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.

The most loving thing God could have done once sin separated us from Him was to ensure we would not find meaning in anything but Him.

We must begin thinking that our goal is to accept what God has given us and, with the eyes of faith, act knowing it is good for us.

GOD’S PURPOSES IN POOR HEALTH

Purpose #1: That We Might Hate Sin

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate.

In sickness we stare down the pure, unadulterated effects of sin in all its ugly glory.

Purpose #2: To Wean Us from Self-Sufficiency

2 Corinthians 1:8–10

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

God knows that dependence on Him is the source of greater happiness than health could ever bring.

1. When things go wrong, we must learn the goodness of the Proverbs 16:9.

Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.

2. When things go right, we must understand that our responsibility is for faithfulness, but God’s is for results.

Psalm 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word.

Purpose #3: Poor Health Gives Others Opportunity to Serve

Galatians 4:13–15

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1. Corrects the lie that worth is found through productivity.

2. Creates an opportunity to glorify God by depending on others.

3. Encourages the faith of others.

Purpose #4: Poor Health Makes Us Long for Heaven

Revelation 21:3–4

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

2 Corinthians 5:1–4

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

LIVING AS FAITHFUL STEWARDS

1. Be willing to accept a different role.

2. Be wise in taking action.

3. Trust in God.

Our primary goal when we’re suffering from poor health is not to preserve our bodies; it is to preserve our faith.

1 Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Trusting in God means trusting that whether He chooses to heal in life or in death , His decision is best because He knows us and loves us.

4. Keep your mind focused on new creation with God.

CONCLUSION