Answers2Prayer
BIBLE
TEACHING SERVICE
FOCUS:
JESUS
YOU
ARE A STEWARD
TEXT:
Luke 12:41-48, 16:1-12
Memory Verse: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful – I Cor. 4:2.
INTRODUCTION: In this study we shall look at the truth that we who had confessed Jesus as our Lord and Saviour are stewards of various areas of assignment. After purchasing us by his blood, He then chose us to be workers or servants in His great house i.e. the church in the world. We are meant to occupy for Him till He comes (Lk.19:13). There is nothing we have including our lives that is primarily ours. They are all from God, given to us so that you and I should trade with and profit there in. If God will open His doors of blessing to us continually, we then have the obligation of managing God – given resources properly with the understanding of the fact that we are only stewards.
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WHO IS A STEWARD: In order to know what to do and the areas of our assignment, we must understand who a steward is. Let us check the Bible to discover examples of stewards. Gen. 15:2; 24:1-4; 32-49; 39:1-6. All through the scriptures we have several examples of individuals that were stewards in other peoples’ houses. Christians are God’s stewards, appointed by Him to look after His interests in the world. This applies to their responsibilities in looking after the material things God has given them, and to their responsibilities in preaching the gospel and caring for God’s people. They are answerable to God for the way they carry out these responsibilities (Gen. 1:228-30; I Cor. 4:1-5; Col. 1:25; I Peter 4:10). A steward is that Christian who allows him/herself to be so used of God or responsible to God in faithfully managing what God has put into his or her care. In the light of the above definition, are you a steward? If you are one, what type of a steward are you?
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AREAS OF STEWARDSHIP: If you realize yourself to be a steward, you then need to know the areas of your stewardship. The following are some of the areas we will like to consider in this study:
(a) Talents and Gifts: Matthew 25:14-30; I Cor. 12:1-11. You are solely responsible for the use of talents and gifts God has given you or that He will give you. Your faithful use and profit has a reward otherwise a punishment.
(b) Money and Resources: Rom. 12:13; 15:25-27; Gal. 6:7-10; Acts 11:27-30; Matt. 6:19-21. Here we see people obeying the Lord’s command as they were admonished to do. See what Jesus says will happen at the end of the age Matt. 25:31-46.
(c) Time: Eccl. 3:1-9; John 9:4; 11:7-10; 2 Cor. 6:2. We are equally accountable to God in terms of time. He has given us the time of our lives for a definite; purpose of using it to God’s glory. What you refuse to do today may be too late for tomorrow.
(d) Life: Matt. 6:25-34. You are a steward of even your life. You cannot live any way you like. Remember that you are bought for a purpose and with a price (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23).
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EXPECTATIONS FROM STEWARDS: I Cor. 4:2; Gen. 39:7-9; 47:13-14.
The expectation of any Master from any steward is that they be found faithful. In the same way, God’s expectation from every Christian steward, which we are, is that we be found faithful in every aspect of stewardship. Whatsoever He has committed into your hand is meant for you to trade with and profit with. Remember the story of the unjust steward in Matt. 25:14-30. Every gift, talent, money, resource, even your life is given to you by God so that you may use it faithfully. Joseph was faithful both to Potiphar and even to Pharaoh. As long as he was in the office the king’s account did not suffer any damage or loss. Remember Moses, the Bible says he was faithful in all his house (Heb. F3:5). What about Samuel even at old age he faithfully challenged Israel and nobody had anything against him (I Sam. 12:1-5). Here we need to ask ourselves, “How faithful are we to whatever God has committed to our hands?” You must adjust and repent today.
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REWARDS FOR FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP: Luke 12:41-44. There are always rewards for faithful service and stewardship. Rewards are earned and they are according to the works and faithfulness of the believer Matt. 16:27. According to 1 Cor. 3:8-15, we are labourers with God and God will reward our labour. We may either receive reward or suffer loss but the latter is not the will of God for us. There are crowns awaiting faithful stewardship. These include: crown of life (Jam. 1:12), the crown of rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19-20), the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:5-8), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:2-4), etc. Remember that God will not owe anybody for He is not unrighteous (Heb. 6:10). If you serve Him and His course on earth, He will faithfully reward you.
CONCLUSION: Behold, you must not only know that you are a steward but you must be rewarded. To do this you need to deny yourself, set your eyes on Jesus, be strengthened in the Lord, live a life of sacrifice and refuse anything that would impede spiritual progress (Heb. 11:24-29). God bless you.
