Today, Thursday December 30
Faithful Stewardship 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 “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. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.”
The New Testament clearly teaches that one day every believer will give an account of their stewardship while on earth. We believe this “judgment” of stewardship will take place at the Judgement Seat of Christ in heaven during the seven year tribulation period on earth. I think it is interesting to note that in the past God dealt with us as sinners (Romans 5:8). Presently God deals with us as sons (Romans 8:14, Hebrews 12:5-11). In the future God will deal with us (at the bema) as stewards (Matthew 25, Romans 14:10-12).
In the New Testament world, a steward was the manager of a large household or estate. He was appointed by the owner and was entrusted to keep the estate running smoothly. He had to power to hire and fire and to spend and to save, being answerable to the owner alone. His only concern was that periodic meeting with his master, at which time he was required to account for the condition of the estate up to that point.
With this background in mind, it may be said that someday at the bema judgment all stewards will stand before their Lord and Master and be required to give an account of the way they have used their privileges and responsibilities from the moment of their conversion.
For sure one of most important things we always need to keep in mind as we live and enjoy the wonderful things of this life and world in our existence here, is that God is the Creator and owner of it all! “Every good and perfect gift is from God” (James 1:17). Every breath we take and every heartbeat we experience is a gift from God! Every material possession and resource at our disposal is from God and He is ultimately the owner of it all. “The earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness…” (Psalm24:1)
Especially as believers we have been given gifts, talents and abilities, possessions and resources that we, as stewards of the Lord, are responsible for. We have no rights, we own nothing and we don’t deserve anything! Everything, every dime, every possession, every ability and even our family and children are a gift from God to care for, knowing that one day we will give an account to the Lord for.
It appears that our faithfulness in our stewardship is what the Lord is looking for. I believe that this means that we wake up every morning and go to bed every night understanding we cannot be careless or selfish with what the Lord has entrusted to us! It is always on our mind that it is all His and He holds us accountable for how we use it for His Kingdom purposes!
The Judgment Seat of Christ is the day when it will be revealed how faithful we were during our time here on earth. We cannot afford to “bury” the talents and resources God has give us. Today might be a good time to take inventory of your life and what you are really living for with all the resources that the Lord has blessed you with!
God bless!