Good Stewards: God's Most Blessed People
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
"Steward" is not the best sounding word. It is, however, one of the best things in life. There are not many better titles or attributes than to be called "a good steward."
What is a steward? A steward is someone entrusted to manage the property and affairs of another. We can imagine being responsible for the finances, real estate, and equipment of a friend or family member would be a humbling task. We would exercise great care and attention to detail knowing that our actions affect our friend and family more than ourselves.
Now consider that we are God's stewards. We are responsible for what He has given us.... which is EVERYTHING, including our own lives!
Paul said two things about us. 1) We are servants of Christ; 2) We are stewards of "the mysteries of Christ."
A mystery is not something hidden, it is something revealed. The mysteries of Christ are the truths and spiritual realities that you have learned and received from the Holy Spirit. For example, the truth that we are saved by God's grace through the sacrifice of Christ and NOT by our own works is a mystery. A steward never betrays this truth.
Paul then writes, "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."
Faithfulness is consistency is service to God, and this is where we discover the blessing of God. Not that we have "earned" blessing through being good stewards, but that we simply live in the zone of God's favor and blessing through stewardship.
So, be a good steward!
"Steward" is not the best sounding word. It is, however, one of the best things in life. There are not many better titles or attributes than to be called "a good steward."
What is a steward? A steward is someone entrusted to manage the property and affairs of another. We can imagine being responsible for the finances, real estate, and equipment of a friend or family member would be a humbling task. We would exercise great care and attention to detail knowing that our actions affect our friend and family more than ourselves.
Now consider that we are God's stewards. We are responsible for what He has given us.... which is EVERYTHING, including our own lives!
Paul said two things about us. 1) We are servants of Christ; 2) We are stewards of "the mysteries of Christ."
A mystery is not something hidden, it is something revealed. The mysteries of Christ are the truths and spiritual realities that you have learned and received from the Holy Spirit. For example, the truth that we are saved by God's grace through the sacrifice of Christ and NOT by our own works is a mystery. A steward never betrays this truth.
Paul then writes, "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."
Faithfulness is consistency is service to God, and this is where we discover the blessing of God. Not that we have "earned" blessing through being good stewards, but that we simply live in the zone of God's favor and blessing through stewardship.
So, be a good steward!
