Bible Thoughts

August 27, 2000

A steward is one who is committed to looking after the affairs of another. In apostolic times, it might be a slave who was entrusted with responsibilities of the household or another servant. The steward was to be faithful in all duties to which he was assigned.

The unfaithful steward would be that servant who knew his Lord's will, but did not carry out the commands. The Lord pointed out that such a steward, who knew his master's will, but failed to prepare, would be "beaten with many stripes"(Luke 12:47).

Paul teaches, in the quoted passage, that saints are to be faithful, as stewards, in their service to God. From a human standpoint, it is not always easy to do what is commanded. The affairs of this life and the concerns for self often interfere with our stewardship. Our attitude toward the Master determines the effectiveness of our stewardship.

For those who desire to please the Lord and go to heaven, we are to use our gifts(all have such), to minister "among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God"(I Peter 4:10). Good stewards are careful to keep the instructions of the master. Their allegiance is to be so dedicated that such a one does not question the Lord's will; the faithful steward just does as he is told. The steward knows that he must eventually answer to his master. Someday, we will stand before the Lord to give an account of our stewardship. Christians are to be good stewards toward the word of God. "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth"(II Timothy 2:15). It is interesting that Paul said a "workman" was to be "handling aright the word of truth." A true steward of the Lord will be busy in following the word of God, and, at the same time, making sure that he does not pervert what is taught. A faithful steward follows the commands of the New Testament in every area.

The elder is referred to as "God's steward" in Titus 1:7. It is the responsibility of elders to keep the faith, teach the truth, encourage the faithful, rebuke the unfaithful, and guide the local congregation in the paths of righteousness. Elders must always remember that the flock belongs to God and they are only stewards. There is no doubt that many problems and divisions within the church would not have occurred had those who are elders(or had been) served as faithful stewards. Any eldership that permits false teaching or unscriptural practices into the local congregation is an unrighteous steward of God's flock. On the other hand, those who faithfully carry out the will of the Lord are to be followed, respected, and obeyed. Their stewardship as elders is an awesome responsibility and the ones who faithfully carry out the instructions of the New Testament are doing a "good work"(I Timothy 3:1).

All Christians should keep in mind the stewardship they have accepted when they obeyed the gospel. Whatever one's gift(talent) may be, it is to be utilized in the service of Jehovah. "...ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ"(I Peter 4:10). Many congregations are blessed with men and women of great talent in the Master's service. Yet, those of us who have limited talents in relation to others, are not excused because we cannot be as others. What talents God blessed us with should be used with the same enthusiasm and confidence as those who were greatly blessed. Not all stewards were the same; not all performed the same duties. One thing, however, was expected of each: Use what you have every opportunity that you can.

What kind of a steward are you?

We have been told to be workers for the lord, but how many people know what their work is; what talents they have. God has given each one his own talents, and all are just as important. It’s like the human body. Is the hand more important than the fingers or the fingers more important that the hand? They both need each other to work properly.

Many people compare themselves with other people, and then believe that because they cannot do the work as well as them, they don’t need to work; but will God accept this excuse? In James 2:14-26 we read that we show our faith by our works, and faith without works is dead, so that means that we all need to work even if there are others who can do it better than us.

So how do we find out what our talents are? We try them. Many great men where great because they tried, and that is the only way that you can know if you are good at something, if you try. Even then it might take practice and time to do your work well.

And you don’t need to be someone great to please God, there are many works that often go unnoticed, God did not say that one was more important then the other. We do not all have the same talents and we cannot all do the same work, but all are just as important. What we need to do is go out and find out what our talents are and work with them.

The church needs all its members to use the talents they where given, so that it can function properly.-Vaughn Clinton Botha