October 2017

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV)
If you want to see our journey into this topic look up last month’s Messenger.
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” Here is the standard by which our stewardship and our lives will be judged or evaluated. What is the final exam? Was I faithful to my calling as Christ’s steward? The challenge is that we see faithfulness as theoretical or ideological. Faithful means I know the right answers or I hold the right ideas (which I call beliefs) about God, myself and the world. The fallacy is that faithfulness is not primarily about what I know but rather who I am. Or faithfulness can be considered as how I actually lively life every day. The greek word is πιστός (pistos), ή meaning: trusting, pertaining to belief that trusts (Gal 3:9; 1Co 7:14 v.r.); 2. trustworthy, pertaining to being reliable and sure, implying worthy of full trust. The essence of this is that God can trust me to do His will. I will in actuality accomplish God’s purpose in my life.
If you recall God (grantor/trustor) has placed into my care certain assets (time, talent, treasure) for use in accomplishing His objectives (that the world might know that Jesus Christ is Lord) during the epic appointed (my lifetime.) What He will ask to evaluate my faithfulness as HIs steward is, did my whole life move to toward the accomplishment of His purpose. Who will say I saw Jesus in me?
The evaluation touches every aspect of my life. My time, my talent, and my treasure are all under scrutiny to evaluate faithfulness. How did I actually spend my time. We only have twenty four hours in a day so it’s pretty clear from how I use those what my priorities are. Was I faithful to God all twenty four hours? Likewise with our talents, it is apparent what I have blessed and to what extent with my learning, skills and effort. My checkbook is a powerfully clear statement of what I actually hold dear.
Listen to Jesus in Luke 6:46 (ESV) 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” You recall that he is describing how to build a life upon a sure and solid foundation that will be able to withstand all the assaults of life. The solid rock is explained in Luke 6:47–48 (ESV) “47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” Obedience is the key to success. Obedience is the key to faithfulness in my stewardship.
Let’s review what this teaching says. If I am going to be successful in life (be well built)
to withstand all the assaults of living then I must first come to Jesus. I must make the intentional effort and choice to truly follow Him. I will turn aside from the world’s agenda and ways. I will resist intentionally the deceiver’s lies. I will crucify my flesh with its desires. I will come to Jesus with all I am. I will follow Jesus because I make the intentional volitional choice to be HIs disciple.
Second I will hear His words. I will become an avid listener to all the Lord says. I will study His Word (the Bible) and attend His teachings becoming a skilled workman correctly handling HIs Word of truth. Listen to Psalm 119:11 (ESV) “11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” A simple question, how much of God’s Word have you stored in your heart?
Next I will do all the words I have heard from the Lord. My life will be shaped and revelatory of God’s Word. Simply put I will obey all that God asks me to obey. I will serve Him with a ready and eager obedience, every day in every way.
If I do this I will be found to be faithful as His steward and as Christ’s servant. The examination is pretty simple and clear, There are no trick questions. My scheduler, my checkbook and my accomplishments are all the evidence that will be needed.
Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for trusting me to be your servant and steward.