SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                              1416        

“Stewardship”

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein… – Psalm 24:1-2

Christian Stewardship is the responsibility to care for and manage all the resources, gifts, and life that God has entrusted to us.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. – Genesis 2:15

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? – Luke 12:42

Steward Over Spiritual Relationship with Jesus – Christian stewardship begins with understanding that the fullness of creation belongs to God. This understanding must be more than intellectual – It must be from our heart. It cannot be lip service.

This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; – Matthew 15:8

We must seek first His kingdom maintaining, growing, and nurturing our personal relationship with Jesus. Our stewardship must go far beyond religion and be rooted in our personal relationship with Him.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him”. – John 14:23

Steward Over Time – We are given a finite amount of time in this life – how are we using it? Are we burying it under the dirt of this world (Matthew 25:14-30) while chasing after the things of this world to gratify our flesh (Romans 13:11-14) or are we using our time wisely to advance the kingdom of God and for His glory?

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. – Colossians 4:5

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. – Mark 16:15

Steward Over Our Bodies – As born-again believers in Jesus Christ our bodies are His temple. Are we poisoning His temple? Are we defiling it? Our mind, spirit and flesh are defiled through indulging in the sin of this world and feeding the lust of our flesh.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made – an intricate miracle down to the cellular level and as the Temple of the Holy Spirit we must not be careless in its care.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1

Steward of God’s Creation and Provision – Nothing belongs to us – it is all His. We must not covet, hoard, and withhold the good He would desire to pour through us to others.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:8

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:16-18

Steward of Gifts and Talents – We have a purpose in life. God has equipped us to fulfill His purpose and plan for our life.  As good stewards, are we using our talents and gifts for His glory?

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: – 1 Peter 4:10

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; – Proverbs 3:9

Stewardship Accounting – On that final day in this life, when we come before our Father in Heaven, can we say as Jesus said: ‘I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.’ – John 17:4?

Will we hear Jesus say to us: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:21?