DAILY SPIRITUAL FOOD; STEWARDSHIP-DIVINE EXPECTATIONS, STANDARDS AND REWARDS ‘’ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.’’ ‘’ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ‘’ ‘’He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.’’ Colossians 1:23,25,28 COMMENTARY: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Colossians 1:23-29; Titus 1:7-9; Galatians 2:7-9. DEFINITION: Some Bible dictionaries define stewardship as the systematic practice and proportionate giving of time, abilities and material possession, based on the conviction that those are on trust from God, to be used in His service and for His Kingdom. It defines and shapes the purpose of our lives in this world of evil and uncertainty. Stewardship positions God as the sole owner, giver, sustainer, and controller of all God’s creations/possessions. BIBLICAL ORIGIN OF STEWARDSHIP: God planted the Garden of Eden where all works of His creations were kept and gave man the stewardship of Eden and all the things He created through the divine framework of obedience. Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:4-22. Stewardship as viewed by Apostle Paul present our teaching, preaching and other work of Christian ministry as a divine trust of responsibility. 1 Corinthians 9:17; Galatians 4:1-2. It is our golden opportunity (chance) to work together with God in His divine global and everlasting work of salvation to mankind. Matthew 28:19-20 Stewardship is accountability and taking responsibility. Stewardship is viewed principally under two broad angles (perspectives); ownership and stewardship. OWNERSHIP: God created and owned all things. Psalm 24:1; Genesis 14:19-22; Psalm 89:11 STEWARDSHIP: We must understand, that under stewardship we are only workers or stewards or managers and therefore accountable and responsible to the owner of the resources committed into our hands/care. Matthew 25:14-30; The parable of the talents shows how the man who did nothing with the resources given to him was immediately brought to instant judgement. Luke 19:-26 Here the parable of the pounds shows how each servant/manager/steward wisely gave account of the resources entrusted to their care and management. God, the owner of all resources has trusted us with some of His resources to be used to expand His Kingdom. We are therefore expected to be serious so that we can meet up with God’s divine standards and expectations. WHAT HAS GOD ENTRUSTED TO US? 1. LIFE: Our personal life and that of the congregation is a major resource God has committed into the hands of the church. God made man and gave Him life. Life, therefore, is a free gift of God and must not be wasted through sin or wrong doctrines. Genesis 1:26-28; Acts 17:25 2. TIME: God is time conscious and controls it. So we can use it to effectively manage His resources given to us. Proverbs 24:30-34; Psalm 90:12 3. POSSESSIONS: God expect us to use the possessions He gives us to expand His Kingdom on earth. Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 4. FINANCES (MONEY): Our money was given by God and must be used by Him to expand His Kingdom. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 WHAT MAKES A GOOD STEWARD? Friends, stewardship demands total faithfulness and commitment towards God.. 1. FAITHFULNESS: We must be faithful to God, to man, and to the Church authority. God expects us to be reliable. A steward must be on fire or zealous always burning for the work of God’s Kingdom. He/ She must be prepared and willing to do the will of God, His master/pay Master; God calls both males and females into stewardship (Christian ministry). SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Colossians 4:17; John 6:38-40; John 8:28-29; John 4:34-38; John 5:30; John 9:4; Colossians 3:2-24. 2. TEACHABLE: A steward must be able to fully submit to the teachings/leadership and the authority of God and the Church. He/she must have a teachable and humble spirit. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES: Psalm 27:11 3. DESIRE TO MINISTER (SERVE): A steward must always be willing, zealous and ready to serve or minister. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES: Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:13; Luke 22:27 4. WILLINGNESS TO GIVE: A true steward must be willing always to give his/her time, life, talents, possessions, money for the work of the Kingdom. STEWARDSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY Stewards are reminded that they will one day give a good and complete account of their stewardship/work to God, the owner of the Kingdom work. Stewards are not permitted to live or do their work anyhow. The attitude expected of them must be seriousness, faithfulness and absolute responsibility. True stewardship demands total commitment and faithfulness. Luke 16:1-13 A steward must always enjoy the support/ favour of His Master (God). John 8:28-29; John 12:49-50 The power or strength of the stewardship comes from God only. ‘’ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’’ Philippians 4:13; ‘’ But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.’’ 1 Corinthians 15:10 Joseph represents a good, faithful case of biblical stewardship. This leadership/managerial journey started from his father’s house through Potiphar’s house to Pharaoh’s palace for increased stewardship. Genesis 39:1-41,57; Genesis 41:41 Stewards must always aim to build other’s fortunes (success) by using the resources God puts into their hands. The greatest resources God gives is people/ congregation of God’s people. Friends, a true and wise steward will always see and handle issues the way God sees them and be more than willing to let go of things or issues God wants to let go. Every Christian believer who has been washed and saved by the blood of Jesus is a steward/servant of the Most High God and has been given a certain degree of divine responsibility (stewardship) to discharge for the Lord. When the Lord Jesus mandated the Church to go into the whole world and preach the gospel of the Good News of the soon coming Kingdom of God in Matthew twenty eight, He was actually entrusting the stewardship of His father’s Kingdom to all members of the Church of God on earth. ‘’Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’’ Matthew 28:19-20 God expects and commands the entire Church membership to efficiently manage the resources of His Kingdom, which He has released, to save, properly train and integrate lost souls into His joyful and glorious Kingdom. ‘’ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.’’ Luke 19:13 Friend, remember that every aspect of our work/stewardship will be tried, tested and qualified by the refining furnace of the Holy Spirit and appropriate rewards given by the Lord at the end of this Heavenly race. We are therefore advised to strive lawfully and efficiently, so we can receive good and lasting rewards from the Lord. ‘’And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.’’ Zephaniah 1:12 ‘’For we are labourers together with God: ye are Gods husbandry, ye are Gods building.’’ ‘’For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.’’ 1 Corinthians 3:9, 11-15 Friend, will your stewardship/work be found wanting (imperfect), and as a result disqualified or will it survive the refining furnace of the Holy Spirit and thus earn you divine approval and great rewards. I pray that God will enable each and every one of us finish this Kingdom work fruitfully/faithfully in Jesus precious name, Amen. More grace. Remain rapture ready always. Pastor Martins Okonkwno
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 09:33:35 +0000
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