WE ARE STEWARDS OF GOD’S GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 19, 2022.

SUBJECT : WE ARE STEWARDS OF GOD’S GRACE!

Memory verse: "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed received it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (First Corinthians 4 vs 7).

READ: Deuteronomy 8 vs 17 - 18; First Peter 4 vs 10 - 11:

Deuteronomy 8:17: Then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.

8:18: And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your father's, as it is this day.

First Peter 4:10: As each one has received a gift, minister to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

4:11: If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracle of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

INTIMATION:

A steward is one who oversees the resources or affairs of another. Effective stewardship is the proper management of another's resources, or resources committed into one’s care. The world, and the fullness thereof is the LORD'S (Psalm 50 vs 12). Therefore, if God owns all things, we are only privileged to be partakers, and managers of God’s belongings; all things are His, and entrusted to our care and management for Him. God expects us to be good and faithful stewards. The Scripture notes, "Moreover it is required of a steward that one be found faithful" (First Corinthians 4 vs 2). 

God, in His benevolence, has given us all those resources, gifts, and abilities we have for our management on His behalf, and for the achievements of His predetermined purposes and set objectives. Consequently, we should dedicate our all to serving God wholeheartedly, and not holding back anything, realizing that nothing is of our personal success. Though we are differently gifted in nature, power, and effectiveness, according to God's wisdom and graciousness, our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve God and others with what He has given us.

The reason people are so stressed out about possessions, such as money, is that they think they are in control of their possessions. People tend to think they are responsible for all of the factors that lead to prosperity and all they needed to survive. They are worried about such things as losing their jobs, or a downturn in the economy because they see themselves as the source of their provision.

Seeing yourself as the source of blessing in your life puts a lot of pressure on you in trying to control circumstances that are really beyond your control. One of the benefits of seeing yourself as a steward is peace of mind and a sense of security. When you know God is your source, you aren't worried about the natural circumstances. If God can prosper Abraham and feed his flocks and herds in a desert, then He can bless and prosper you in any economic situation. It doesn't matter what is going on around you. 

In our Bible reading today, First Peter 4 vs 10, the Scripture says, "As each one has received a gift, minister to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Obviously, it is by the grace of God you are what you are. Therefore, be a good steward of what is entrusted to your care and management. 

Realizing that our possessions are entrusted to our care and management by God, we should then ask ourselves what God wants us to do with it. Knowing that your possessions are really God's, makes you approach life with a totally different attitude; your attitude toward them is more important than what you do with them.

The Bible, in Luke 16 vs 1 - 13, tells us the parable of Jesus about the shrewd steward. In verse 8, Jesus said, "The master commended the unjust steward because he has dealt shrewdly." This steward was unjust (cheating on the master)—a son of this world, but was commended by his master as wise. Why? The answer is in verse 9; because he utilized the resources available to him to make friends for himself, so that when he fails, they may receive him into their homes. 

Jesus stated that the attitude of giving to others is lacking among the believers—the sons of light—the attitude of being a blessing to others when the opportunity calls, especially when blessed by God. The key to using our resources wisely is to see how much we can use them for God's purposes, and that is real stewardship, not how much we can accumulate for ourselves. Real stewardship is reflected in the way you use your resources in order to influence kingdom values more appropriately. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and God, and keeps us from using our God-given possessions selfishly. 

How mush of a blessing have been to others? How much of your possessions have you given out to others, especially the less privileged who may not be able to give back to you? How much have you been supportive with your possessions for the sake of the kingdom? The answers are with you, and reflect your manner of stewardship.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of real stewardship, that I will manage the resources entrusted in my care appropriately, and in accordance with Your Will, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!