August 17th 2022.

LESSONS IN CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP PT.4

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. KJV

FAITHFULNESS IN STEWARDSHIP.

To be faithful is to be loyal and steadfast. It is the quality of being honest and truthful. If there's one thing God requires from stewards, it is faithfulness.

The reward of a steward won't be based on "success" but on how faithful he is to his master and to the work committed into his hands.

In Matthew 25:21, Jesus told us about a master who commended his faithful servant: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

We live in a world where the drive for success and fame is on the increase. People want to "blow". Some persons don't believe you're working in the kingdom unless you're in the spotlight.

It is not that success is bad just that man's definition of success is different from God's definition of success.

God doesn't define success from the standpoint of popularity, wealth, large following ( online & offline), geographical spread and other human parameters. Faithfulness in stewardship is God's definition of success.

A minister of God that is called to labour in the corner of a village often is not deemed by many as having "brokenthrough" in the ministry yet the moment a preacher's face appears on the poster or billboard of a big conference, such is quickly defined as ministerial success or breakthrough.

You only need to know how many preachers are fasting and praying to travel abroad because they want to add "International" to their ministerial CV. They want to be acclaimed as having preached around the world. International open doors is not bad but it is not the focus of a faithful minister.

As a preacher, are you faithful to the doctrines of scriptures and defense of the faith? Are you feeding the flock or you're fleecing them? Hope you've not damaged the lives of sisters and women under you? What's your attitude to money? Hope you've not merchandise the gift of God in your life?

Read what Peter said, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."(1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

How often do you think about that very day you'll stand before God to give account of all that has been entrusted into your care?

A Christian's stewardship is not temporal but for a lifetime. Our master determines how well we've discharged our duties using His parameters not ours. Let's work towards staying faithful.