LESSONS IN CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP PT.2

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

GOD OWNS EVERYTHING YOU OWN NOTHING.

To understand Christian stewardship, we need to see clearly from scriptures where God belongs so that we can put ourselves where we belong too. This is what the Psalmist says about God: "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND EVERYTHING IN IT. The world and all its people belong to him"(Psalms 24:1 NLT). God is not just a partial owner of the earth and EVERYTHING in it, He is the owner of all.

From the very beginning, God instituted the principle of stewardship by putting mankind in-charge of the earth and all that is in it. Mankind became a manager of God's creation including animals. He gave mankind dominion as a steward not as the owner. God never relinquished the right of ownership to mankind. Never! This eternal order is what the fall of man corrupted in the hearts of mankind.

One of the effects of the fall of man is that man wanted to be "like God"( the owner) with respect to status and ranking. Though we are created in His image and likeness but it should be noted that equality doesn't exist between mankind& deity. Satan deceived our progenitor in the garden saying: “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil"(Genesis 3:5 NLT) In an attempt to be "like God"( the owner of all things), mankind lost it.

Satan's attempt to usurp God's authority and power in heaven met with resistance that led to His eviction from heaven. He used Adam and Eve to further his agenda but he lost the battle again with God but he succeeded in bringing mankind under control. Now, he rules the earth indirectly through man.

According to the order laid by God, man was answerable to God as regards the stewardship of the earth and everything in it, but mankind chose a different leader, came under Satanic control and gave her report of stewardship to Satan. Ever since, man's rebellion against his maker made him to think he owns everything. Man began to live for the very things he was put in-charge instead of living for the one who put Him(God) in- charge of those things. Satan instituted Mammon( god of wealth and material things) worship for mankind. Man lost it here.

Thank God for redemption. One of the beauties of redemption is its restorative work on mankind. In redemption, God still remains the owner, Christ is the Lord over all and man is subject to deity as stewards. A steward is answerable to his master and practically live for him. That's why we shouldn't throw away the admonition of Paul: "He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them"(2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT).

As believers, we are to live for our master who owns us and everything He put in our care. Paul says, "But now you are free from the power of sin and have become SLAVES OF GOD. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life"(Romans 6:22 NLT). In bible times, slave owns nothing, their master owns everything. Being a "slave of God" simply connote loyalty and stewardship. It is surprising that we're not only sons of God but slaves of God.

Your time, money, intellect, children, spouse, attainments, etc aren't yours. God only put those things in your care as a steward. If we have this kingdom mentality, nothing will be hard for us to release or use when the Lord makes demand for them.