Stewards

Stewards

“Concerning a stewardship in the fullness of the times He might again gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” Eph. 1:9-10.

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Pet. 4:10.

God’s manifold grace pertains to all things in heaven and on earth. What I have, I have received—both earthly as well as heavenly things. I am not an owner, but a steward. 1 Cor. 4:2, 7. “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” 1 Cor. 15:46.

“If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” John 3:12.

The first thing we learn when we are converted to God is to bring our earthly affairs in order. As a rule they have come into disorder due to covetousness and selfish ambition; consequently we do not know how to be a steward of the things we have, of the grace God has given us, and we get into trouble with other people.

Once we are converted we are to learn about God’s stewardship, which is to gather into one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. That is why we have God’s Word for everything. Many people ask, “What shall we do?” They have come into need because of some earthly situation, or they are in spiritual need. Well, what shall you do? You are to search in the Bible and find a word of scripture that tells you what to do. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

In this way, when you put God’s Word into practice in your daily life, you enter into this stewardship of God, this gathering together of all things in Christ, both that which is in heaven and that which is on earth. Then everything in your life will be put in order. Your body will be built up as a member of the body of Christ, and you will be built up as a living stone to be a spiritual habitation. 1 Cor. 6:14-15; 1 Pet. 2:5.

We read about the law concerning the temple: “This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.” Ezek. 43:12.

We are to stand on Mount Zion. Rev. 14:1-5. There we shall stand together with the Lamb. You can rest assured that “the whole area surrounding the mountaintop” will be holy! If someone were to ask the merchant at the place where you shop about you, he would discover that your relationship was holy; likewise with the tax office, and with your neighbors—there would be no report of quarreling. They could investigate our relationship with people at work in the same way—even all our earthly relationships. They would be holy. Then we are being built up on Mount Zion itself to be a holy temple.

By God’s grace there are many people who are poor and many who are rich. This is God’s stewardship. But God’s Word is a guideline for everyone. It is written to everyone: “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Rom. 13:7-8. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty . . . Let them do good, that they may be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.” 1 Tim. 6:17-19. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim. 6:6. “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Tim. 6:6-10. “Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have.” Heb. 13:5. “We commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10. “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” Eph. 4:28.

If we live according to these scriptures, and many others, we will join the heavenly and earthly together in Christ, and we will be rich in God.

It is quite common to make enemies with the unrighteous mammon, but Jesus teaches us to make friends with it. “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” Every day we see others taking over the things of the ones who have died and have left their bodies. What we take with us is that measure of the virtues of Christ to which we have attained. 2 Pet. 1:11. “What is least”—the little things—are the earthly things. What is “much”—that which is great—are the virtues and the life of Christ. If we are not faithful stewards of earthly things we will never receive eternal riches. Luke 16:9-13. We are to serve God when we have to do with earthly things.

Many people are constantly in debt. They do not know how to be stewards. If they have much money they use up much money. If they have little, they borrow and get an advance on their salary! Why not get wisdom from God’s Word and learn to be a steward? You know ahead of time that, God willing, you will travel to the conferences, and you know that these trips are expensive. Why not set aside a sum of money each week so that you can pay your travelling and conference expenses and not have to be in debt and be judged by God’s Word? Song #264 in Songs of the Way.

You must have the mind that Jesus had, as we read in Hebrews 1:9, if you would be anointed with the oil of gladness and be in that flock together with the Lamb on Mount Zion and learn the new song.