Beyond Blessed with Pastor Robert Morris

The start of the New Year can be a great time to change habits and attitudes. For some it can be a healthy living lifestyle change and for others it can be reorganizing their finances, spending and giving priorities. Whether it is an educational loan, credit card debt or mortgage, the goal of getting out of debt can seem daunting. But by eliminating financial stress, we can experience the joy the God intends for us and bless others with our resources.

In The Blessed Life, Pastor Robert Morris teaches that generosity is a key component to being in God’s favor. Now, in BEYOND BLESSED, he shares the importance of being a good steward, not only with your finances, but with every part of your life. Pastor Morris will motivate you to become a better manager of your money, and provide practical lessons on taking your finances to the next level. Through Biblical principles, personal stories, and incredible testimonies, you will learn how to be a good steward, and that when you properly manage your finances, blessings will pour into all areas of your life.

In the foreword, Dave Ramsey shares why he believes Morris’ message in Beyond Blessed is so important

“Pastor Robert compares being wise with money to a person standing on two legs. The Blessed Life explained the importance of one leg: generous giving. But Beyond Blessed focuses on the other leg: biblical stewardship. Of the two, giving is the easiest to grasp. But stewardship is just as important. The Bible clearly teaches that God owns it all. Not just a tenth of your income or an occasional love offering or a pledge to a capital campaign. Everything belongs to Him. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but He also owns the hills! What’s more, He’s given each of us a portion of His stuff to manage wisely. That’s really what stewardship is all about. It’s let- ting God be the boss of everything that’s in your hands. It’s using His blessings His way for His glory.”

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

In the book, Morris explains why it is important to address to whom we belong as the foundation for stewardship.

“Once we settle the issue that we belong to God, there is a related ownership question we must settle in our hearts and minds. It’s one thing to acknowledge that you belong to God. But what about all the stuff? Who owns this world and all it contains? Or to bring that question down to a more personal level, Who owns your stuff? Who owns the money, home, cars, furniture, electronics, clothes, and all the material goods you routinely, casually call “mine”?

The answer to this question represents the foundational, fundamental, bedrock issue of successful stewardship, and therefore of living a blessed life. There is no path to real blessing that doesn’t begin with getting this question settled fully and deeply in our hearts—once and for all time. This question, too, seems to have an obvious answer. Of course God owns it all. In another familiar Scripture, the Word plainly declares,

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalm 24:1 NLT)’.”

Risen Reflections

Take an inventory. Take time this week to reflect on what God has entrusted you with. He has given each of us time, talent and treasure. Rather than compare yourself to another person and what they might have or what you have and they don’t, focus on how you are using your time, talent, and treasure to be a blessing to God. Thank God for what He has given you. Often by developing a heart of gratitude it helps to be content and minimize a critical heart or spirit of comparison.

Decide whom you belong to. Remember that if you are a believer, we belong to God. Likewise, everything in the world is His. From our money, home, cars and clothing, everything that we call
“mine” or “ours” on a daily basis is actually His if we have a true view of stewardship. If you are having trouble with that, ask God to adjust your attitude and perspective. Sometimes it can help to observe other cultures or people that don’t have a lot of material possessions. Organize a time to serve together as a family, small group or ministry at one of the outreach ministries that your church or community has. Afterwards, discuss with the group what you observed and learned.

Be a steward. Ask God how you can be a steward of the things He has entrusted you with. Hold your hands open with the time, talent and treasure you have. Be willing to give freely of it. While it can be nice to receive a blessing in return for your giving, don’t expect it or be disappointed if it doesn’t happen. Trust God.