Bible Thoughts

June 17, 2001

A steward is someone who is given the care of looking after that which belongs to another. Paul is using this illustration to emphasize the necessity of one being loyal and obedient to the commands of the Lord. Only a faithful steward of Christ can be acceptable to the Lord and receive the blessings that come from God.

In order for one to be a faithful steward, there are principles of righteousness outlined in the Word of God to be followed. The standard set forth in the divine revelation is the criteria that determines if one is fulfilling his stewardship for the Lord. The standards of men do not determine a faithful steward, nor the opinions of outsiders, or the appraisal of brethren. None of these constitute the measuring stick to determine a faithful steward of God. Our source, the New Testament, provides the material to provoke one to be the disciple that Jesus Christ desires of each soul and is the standard by which all will be judged.

A faithful steward is filled with love for the Lord. Jesus reminded the Pharisees, "Thou shalt love the lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Matthew 22:37). Those whom we love we seek to please. The principle is certainly true in religion. Loving the Lord with all of one's being will inspire the one who seeks the Lord to fully commit oneself to the cause of the Master. The strength of that love determines the willingness to sacrifice as a steward for the cause of the Master.

The faithful steward of Christ will have a love for the truth. "For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous"(I John 5:3). There can be no separation of love and doing as the Lord commands. When a person obeys the Lord, he loves to serve him. When one loves the Lord, he wants to obey him. The dedication of the steward to the Master will provoke him to obey the truth, stand up for the truth, and influence others to adhere to the truth. A steward of Christ must follow the truth, all the truth, and nothing but the truth.

The faithful steward of Christ will possess a love for the brethren. "And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also"(I John 4:21). When one loves the Lord, he must also love those who belong to the Lord. The very nature of a Christian will inspire others to love him/her. Many problems and much anguish could have been solved by remembering this point. John made a strong statement when he said, "...for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen"(I John 4:20). The faithful steward has no problem with such affection.

The faithful steward of God has concern for his own soul. One who has been following the standards of his master recognizes that the reward for faithfulness is a home in heaven. Such a disciple will sing with great meaning the song that speaks to the "home of the soul." The flesh will not exist beyond this life; only the soul(spirit) of a person will exist in eternity. The one who serves the Lord in a dedicated and loyal manner will insure the immortality of heaven. The Master will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord"(Matthew 25:23). Will you hear those words from the Master?

A story has been told. A story from the beginning, about how the earth was without form or void and darkness was on the face of the deep, and God created what we have now. And since then, people have led their lives the way they wanted to, and so God sent the flood, saving only Noah and his family. Then a promise was made to Abraham, that would be fulfilled in the future events. Throughout time man has gone back to his old ways, and then returned to God only to leave again shortly after. God has sent his prophets to warn and teach his people but they would not listen. And because of sin God had to send his son, so that he might shed the blood that would take away that sin. He came. He

fulfilled the prophecy, he died, he arose, and he ascended. Now this story can bring many emotions: sadness, happiness, maybe even tears. But this story would have no use if you do not learn from it, and it is the same with everything you hear. Yes, it might be a great sermon, but did you learn from it? Yes, It might be a great class but did you learn from it?-Vaughn Botha

"Life is like a school room." We make our own daily preparation, And our own recitation.

It matters not Whether we become a success, Or a failure--

Everyone will participate In "That Great Examination!"

-Cletus Beach(from sermon by Gerald Jones, June, 1980)

Success consists in accomplishing the end in view. If Jesus had failed in this, the entire world would have been lost; if the apostles had failed to carry out their commission, we would be ignorant of God's plan of salvation; if we fail in our service to God, we will be lost.

The apostles wisely did not assume any honor not granted by the lord, but faithfully spent their time in filling the place assigned. In this we should follow them and the labor will be acceptable.-Gospel Advocate, May 23, 1935.