STEWARDSHIP

Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  I Corinthians 4:2

REFERENCE
I Corinthians 4:2&7

A steward is someone employed to manage the property of another person. Every true believer must know that all He has belongs to God and he has only been given those things to manage. C.S. Lewis said in Meer Christianity, “Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not His own already.” From the very beginning, Adam was placed as a steward over all of God’s creation.

Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there,” Job 1:21. That means everything we possess here on earth – properties, wealth, learning, gifts, talents, opportunities, positions, relationships, etc. – has been given to us and we shall not take any out of this world. Everything God gives us is for a reason and sometimes, for a season. Therefore, a good steward will ask God why He gave him/her those things he/she has and use them to serve His purpose.

One area that our stewardship is really challenged is in the area of money. If we get that right, we mostly get other areas right. I like to say that, “The religion that has not touched your pocket is not true religion.” In fact, Jesus said once that, “If you are not faithful in unrighteous mammon (money), who will commit ‘true riches’ to you?” Psalm 35:27 says, “God delights in the prosperity of His servants,” but much more, He desires that His servants use their prosperity to promote His kingdom. God wants our money to be used to serve Him and His purposes on earth. Money is both a test and a trust from God. Those who pass the test He will trust with much more. What say does God have in your use of money? Are you a good and faithful steward?

Above all, God wants our hearts to be fully sold out to Him. He’s given us all we have. So, we must never love the gift more than the Giver, neither should we place the gift before the Giver. Never allow money or earthly possession to make you ‘mad’ or dull your heart to God and His service. It is unwise!

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Deuteronomy 8:18, Luke 12:13-21 & 16:10-13

PRAYER POINT
Pray for grace to use everything God has given you to serve His purpose and Kingdom on earth; that you will be a trusted steward, who will convert your worldly wealth to riches in heaven.