Episode Overview

Title: A Disciple Stewards EVERYTHING | Boot Camp
Host/Speaker: Pastor Josh Howerton (Lakepointe Church)
Date: February 8, 2026

In this powerful message, Pastor Josh Howerton teaches from Luke 19, focusing on the biblical principle of stewardship. He dives deep into what it means for a disciple of Jesus to be a steward—particularly in the area of money, but also encompassing every part of our lives. Using humor, personal stories, and memorable illustrations, Pastor Josh lays out a compelling, theologically rooted challenge: a true disciple recognizes that all they have belongs to God and is given not for ownership, but for stewardship, to advance God’s purposes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Call to Discipleship and Stewardship

• Series Context: The message is part of the "Bootcamp: Training for Team Jesus" series, approaching discipleship with "a high bar," referencing Jesus' call to "take up your cross daily and follow me."
• Church Mission: Lakepointe is passionate about being "a movement for all people to know Christ, live free, and change the world for God's glory."

2. International Impact & Personal Testimony

• Pastor Josh shares a moving story (04:20) about people in Iran listening to Lakepointe sermons online, with a local man’s uncle reportedly baptizing "about 10 people per day" amidst openness to the gospel there:

  "With the regime change, many Muslims are hungry to hear the gospel and convert to Jesus Christ. Amen." (05:00)

3. Luke 19: The Parable of the Ten Minas

• Parable Summary: A nobleman entrusts servants with money to manage while he is away. On his return, he rewards faithful stewards and rebukes the fearful one.
• Pastor Josh contextualizes the parable in Jesus' ministry, with Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem, knowing he’s on a mission to die and be resurrected. (11:45)

  “What Jesus said would happen, did happen. If what Jesus says is gonna happen, will happen.” (17:40)

4. Three Principles for Stewardship

A. You Are a Steward, Not an Owner (22:15)

• Definition of Steward: Managing what belongs to someone else—not ownership, but temporary responsibility.
• Three Attitudes:
  • What's mine is mine: selfishness
  • What's yours is mine: stealing
  • What's mine is God’s: stewardship
• Humorous Illustration: Your stuff, money, house, and even life itself are all gifts from God—not truly your own.

  “Everything that you think you own is really just on loan.” (29:45)

• Relatable family story about his kids “owning” things, and reminding them (and us) that all comes from the parents—likewise, all we have comes from God. (32:20)

B. Stewards Use God’s Stuff to Do the Master’s Will (38:30)

• The faithful stewards in the parable invested what was entrusted and were rewarded. The fearful one hid his mina and was called “wicked and lazy.”

  “Someday, every single person will stand before God. Whether you hear ‘well done, good and faithful servant,’ or ‘you wicked and lazy servant,’ will depend on how you stewarded what God entrusted you with.” (41:10)

• The Master's Will: Return to God the first and best, just as God gave His first and best (Jesus) to us.

The Tithe: The First and Best 10%

• Biblical Basis: Leviticus 27:30, Proverbs 3:9–10—Tithing is returning the first 10% to God, not tipping or giving leftovers.

  "There’s a difference between tithing and tipping God. ... By all means, tip your waiter, but the Lord God deserves a tithe because he is first." (45:48)

• Why the First? Giving the first requires faith; giving the last does not. (49:00)
• Tithing as a Test: The number 10 in the Bible often signals a test (plagues, commandments, etc.), and every paycheck is a test of whether God is truly first.

  “Every time you get a paycheck, what God’s doing is he’s giving you a test: Will you put me first by returning the first tenth back to me?” (52:00)

C. God Gives More to Those Who Know What the More Is For (59:00)

• Principle: God rewards stewardship, not simply need. The most faithful stewards receive more responsibility and resources. (60:45)

  "He gives more to people who know what the more is for. ... If you’re a selfish or fearful steward ... over time, he will take what he’s given you and give it to someone else." (61:20)

• Warning Against Prosperity Gospel: Pastor Josh clearly distinguishes biblical teaching from the prosperity gospel:

  “The prosperity gospel... promises health, wealth, and happiness while ignoring stewardship, sacrifice, and suffering. ... Christians should not give in order to get; our motivation is to please the Father.” (63:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stewardship:

  “Everything that I think that I own is actually just on loan.” (29:45)

• Reality Check on Ownership:

  “You don't have any stuff. Me and your mom have stuff, and we let you use some of our stuff for a little while. You don't have any money; you don't have a room. Our Father has all of that, and lets us use it for a little while.” (32:40)

• The Gravity of Stewardship:

  “You are a blood-bought possession of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he has entrusted and purchased your life and given you one life to use it for one purpose: for his glory forever.” (35:20)

• Tightening the Focus on Generosity:

  “It doesn’t take faith to give the last; it takes faith to give the first.” (50:05)

• King of the Hill Analogy: (55:00)
  • Relates childhood game to the reality that only one thing can occupy the "throne" of your heart. Jesus warns of the impossibility of serving both God and money (Matthew 6:24).
• If God is Not First in Finances:

  “We can say all day long that God is first in our heart. If he’s not first in your finances, he’s not first.” (58:00)

• God’s Faithfulness in Provision:
  Pastor Josh recounts his parents’ tithing in hardship and the Lord’s supernatural provision.

  “You will never be able to afford to tithe until you tithe. ... God and 90% of your income can do more than you and 100%.” (76:40)

• Room-wide Testimony: (78:00)
  • Pastor Josh has those who have seen God’s faithfulness after stepping out in generosity raise their hands—many do, visibly reinforcing God’s pattern of provision.

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:50: Introduction, Super Bowl Sunday jokes, setting up today's topic
• 04:20–06:00: Iranian story, global impact of church teaching
• 11:45–17:40: Luke 19 context—Jesus’ prophetic journey to Jerusalem
• 22:15–34:00: Principle #1: We are stewards, not owners; family illustration
• 38:30–41:10: Principle #2: Stewards use God's stuff for His purposes; accountability to the Master
• 44:30–50:05: Tithing explained and taught as an act of faith
• 55:00–58:00: King of the Hill analogy and heart challenge
• 59:00–63:00: Principle #3: God gives more to faithful stewards, not prosperity gospel
• 68:00–76:40: Pastor Josh’s family testimony; “You will never be able to afford to tithe until you tithe.”
• 78:00: Churchmembers raise hands to testify about God’s provision
• 80:00–End: Prayer for generational faith and closing

Tone and Style

• Relational and Conversational: Pastor Josh uses humor, self-deprecating stories, and clear explanations to disarm common defenses around money topics.
• Challenging Yet Pastoral: He balances serious biblical teaching with encouragement, inviting listeners to trust God radically.
• Biblical Fidelity: Emphasizes teaching only what the Word says; distances message from prosperity gospel distortions.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Every resource, talent, and opportunity in your life comes from God and is to be stewarded for Him.
• The test of stewardship is daily and practical—how you handle money (particularly tithing) reveals who is truly first in your life.
• God is faithful. He promises not only spiritual but also tangible provision to those who prioritize Him—and that provision is often best seen in hindsight through steps of faith.
• Generational faithfulness matters: what parents model, children and grandchildren will perceive and inherit.

Memorable Challenge:

“God and 90% of your income can do more than you and 100%. … 90%, with the blessing of God, is going to go farther than 100% without it.” (76:50)

Closing Prayer:
Pastor Josh prays for God’s people to walk by faith, model stewardship for their children, and be living proof to future generations of God’s faithfulness. (80:00)

For Further Reflection:
Listeners are encouraged to consider, “What’s sitting on the throne in my heart? How am I stewarding what God has given me, and what step of faith is God calling me to next?”