Stewards

Stewards

Those whom God has enlightened can use their light to find many faults with people just beginning on God’s way. In this light you can either “point the finger” and speak evil, or you can help. You can overwhelm a new convert with many truths because you want to correct everything as quickly as possible. You can even indulge your own flesh by savoring the reputation that you are not afraid to tell people the truth. Such “heroic deeds” can seem admirable, and the brash person who does them can appear “awe-inspiring,” but in the long run, this work will come to naught. Why? Because someone who does such things is not a steward of the truth. You can use the knowledge you have to tell others the truth, but there is a vast storehouse of precious, profound eternal truths that you do not yet possess. Even though you do not have them, they are present in the body. If you do not want to be put to shame, you must be a steward of the truth you possess and declare it with discretion and great grace. No one has been given light to bully and dominate others. Rather, God gives light so that we can rule together.

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor. 4:1.

I hope that young people apply this with respect to older people who have labored much in the Lord. You must not assume that the older ones are blind just because they do not always correct others about things that you would have immediately corrected. A servant in the church will have to give an account; therefore he also has to keep an account of each and every one. Things that you would have plucked off in your carnal zeal for the sake of truth drop away by themselves as people mature. The fact is that a spiritual servant is in touch with the spiritual life of the person he is helping. That contact is absolutely essential to fulfill any ministry. Some people come in like a mighty rushing wind, trying to sort out and correct everything and everyone. However, since people do not have confidence in them, their service is dead—a whirlwind. The air is filled with dust and dirt. When the storm is over, once again the servants of the church must take over the work. It is the labor of these servants that truly benefits the poor and makes them feel safe and content.

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” We must show faithfulness to Him who has entrusted us with the stewardship. It is not the responsibility of the one who is being served to make sure that the steward is performing his duty. In the world this behavior would be called “disrespectful”; in spiritual terms, it is called “puffed up.”

Stewardship is the foundation for every ministry in the kingdom of God. If a person does not exercise stewardship, he is not a servant. If you have received a stewardship, then serve there faithfully; but if not, don’t force yourself into someone else’s stewardship as if you were a steward. You will stand out like an owl in a sparrow’s nest. Create your own ministry; there is plenty of work to be done. The entire world is your parish.

If God were to show us what we’re really like, we would be utterly despondent. However, He is so wise that He gives us revelation (the light of truth) as is helpful—in other words, He gives us light in portions that are small enough that we can bear them and benefit from them. We are children of the all-wise Father who wants us to become perfect, as He Himself is perfect. We must strive toward this goal. It is the way to perfection, so let everyone progress as far as he possibly can.

“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.” 1 Cor. 4:3.

This Scripture would never have been written if Paul had not been subjected to various reprimands from people whose spiritual upbringing was included in his stewardship. They had become wise in Christ. Verse 10. They reckoned that Paul had much to learn from them, and they felt that they knew better how he should handle various situations. They thought that he was too tolerant of some people and far too weak to be able to manage so many people and to govern so many churches. The strong must take control; otherwise, the ark might fall off the cart.

Just relax. People say if God has given someone a task, He will also give him the ability to perform it. Even worldly people understand this concept. Their experience has taught them this, and it is even more true in the spiritual realm.

Use your ability and potential for something more useful. There is plenty of work to do. However, if you insist on straightening out someone else’s stewardship, go ahead. But just as the body rids itself of a splinter, you, too, will be removed from the body and cast away. If you want to work, try another technique.

A steward takes his time. Everything must be done at the right time and in the right way, and those who are being served should experience this. If you want to paint a house, you prepare the paint in a bucket. You don’t just throw the bucket of paint at the wall. No, first you fill a smaller bucket from the larger one, and then you take a brush and spread the paint evenly so that it covers the entire house. This is stewardship. When will people learn this art?

When there is spiritual warfare, you need to employ different tactics, but you must never fight with those you are serving.

The Corinthians were not able to judge Paul regarding his ministry. He couldn’t even judge himself. We must leave all such judgments until the Lord comes—He Who will reveal the intents of the heart. Then everyone will receive their praise from God. When all is said and done, it is the intents of the heart that God judges. You who judge, do you think you can understand the intents of the heart? No, only God is able to do that.

There is a great deal of light in the church now. See to it that you don’t become excessively strong in this light and become high-minded, because then bitter roots spring up, and by this many become defiled. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. We should think of ourselves as we ought to—according to the value and power God has given us. By doing this, you avoid discord within the body—the body where each member is to help the others.