"Faithful Stewards"
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What is Faith?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not see. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:1-2
What is Stewarship?
The dictionary meaning of the word STEWARDSHIP is “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.”
What is Faithful Stewardship?
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.
I Corinthians 4:1
2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
What is a Faithful Steward?
Let’s look at Paul’s Letter to Timothy.
2 Timothy 2:1-3
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. John with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
What is a faithful steward?
- A faithful steward is someone who realizes we are stewards, not owners, of ourselves.
- Faithful stewardship is learning how to manage the life that God has given to us.
- As a steward of what God has given us, and not the owner of ourselves, we are accountable to God.
- I own nothing: God owns everything.
Ecclesiastes 5:15
We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
Psalms 31:15a
We belong to God, so what we do every day matters.
My times are in Your hand;
Hebrews 3:13a
But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,”
Ephesians 5:15-16
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Faithful Stewards with Our Eyes on Eternity
- Everyone who is born on earth is headed for Eternity - 100% of us.
- A promise and reward is to be gained for the faithful steward.
- Punishment awaits bad stewards (or managers).
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Victories as Faithful Stewards
You have heard of little Moses in the bulrush
You have heard of fearless David and his sling
You have heard the story told of dreaming Joseph
And of Jonah and the whale you often sing
There are many, many others through the Bible
I should like to meet them all I do declare
By and by the Lord will surely let us meet them
At that meeting in the air
Hebrews 11:32-35a
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again
What about when God doesn’t save, heal or deliver?
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
Hebrews 11:35-40 NKJV
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as he did, the sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that he will make all things right
if I surrender to His will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with Him forever.
—Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me
that I am His own
And the joys we share
As we gather there
None other
has ever
known
He’s been faithful
Faithful to me
Looking back His love and mercy I see
Though in my heart
I have questioned
And even failed to believe
He’s been faithful,
Faithful to me
Have thine own way, Lord
Have thine own way.
Thou art the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
After your will
While I am waiting
Yielded and still
Revelation 2:25-26 NIV
“except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—”
Philippians 3:12 NKJV
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”