Intro: 1 Peter is a wonderful letter written to no one specific person or church. It is instead written to all the churches in Asia Minor or modern day turkey. It is written to churches that are experiencing suffering at the hands of others. So some would say this does not apply to the church in America today. But all of God’s word is inspired and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
1 Peter 4.7 Peter clearly tells us to keep things in perspective. The end of all things is near. I am not an alarmist but I am a realist. This world will one day come to an end and living for this world and the things of this world is a dead end venture. Peter challenges us to live for God in this messed up mixed up world. In His words, “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
So we come to the truth Stewardship Means more than dollars and cents. Stewardship is recognizing God’s ownership and our position. It is also realizing our responsibility as managers of what God has given us.
I. Our Position as Stewards
A) Submission to the Master
“as good stewards”
The Greek word translated steward is oikonomos. It means one designated by a master to oversee transactions, business, family or otherwise. From what Peter says here all Christians are stewards. Wow that should make you think twice about walking out your front door. Paul throughout his letters speaks of being a slave. He calls himself a bondservant of Christ. It is popular today to talk about servant leadership. Doesn’t that sound nice? It’s just so wonderful that so many are willing to serve. What is not popular to say is I’m a slave to Christ. I am not my own I have been bought with a price. You cannot have a steward if you do not have a master. If I was bought with a price then I have a master.
I believe that Adrian Rogers said it almost as perfectly as can be said, “You can’t just tip your hat at God, you must bow your knee.”
He also said “If Christ is not Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all.”
Is your life lived in such a way in submission to the Lordship of Jesus that He alone is your master? Is there doubt in anyone’s mind where you allegiance lies?
If He is my master nothing is mine including my own life. My belongings are his, my money is His, My spouse is His, My career is His, my Kids are His, my spouse is His, my time is His. Does that bring to mind a different way you would treat things you formerly thought were yours?
As stewards we not only submit to the master we subscribe to His plan.
B) Subscription to the Masters plan
The plan could be said or quoted in many ways. To the ends of, make disciples of all nations, that none should perish, I came to seek and save that which was lost.
What is the best way to know we are a steward? If we subscribe to the masters plan!! I have quoted this scripture to you many times.
John 14.5 “If you love me keep my commandments. Let me translate into the bro Bill translations. If you love me subscribe to my plan.
Many Christians fall flat on their face today because as the song goes they did it their way! There is one way, the way of the cross. It is not popular to say today. The way of the cross means sacrifice, suffering, seasons of heartache and at times loss.
Take Job. He loved God and honored Him with all he had. Everything was taken from him what did Job say? The Lord gives and He takes away!!
Have you taken the time to ask God what do you want of my life? What is your plan? A steward doesn’t just coast along, they find out what the master has in mind and then they give their time and energy and sometimes lives making it so!
A stewards battle cry is never why, it is instead What!! Paul on the road to Damascus What would you have me do Lord? (Have those words ever come from your lips)
II. Our Possessions as Stewards
A) Temporal (time, talents, treasures)
The temporary things of life are a real good measure of our stewardship.
Listen to this funny story.
One Sunday morning a pastor encouraged his congregation to consider the potential of the church. He told them, “With God’s help we can see the day when this church will go from crawling to walking.”
And the people responded, “ Let the church walk, pastor; let the church walk.”
He continued, “And when the church begins to walk, next the church can begin to run.”
And the people shouted, “let the church run, pastor; let the church run!
The pastor continued, “And finally the church can move from running to flying. Oh, the church can fly! But of course it’s going to take a lot of money for that to happen!
The congregation grew quiet, and from the back someone mumbled, “Let the church walk, pastor; let the church walk.”
A steward is one who desires to please his master. Is that churches attitude toward their money pleasing to God? Now you know and I know that stewardship is much more than money. We could exchange money for time, talents, hobbies, etc.
Is your attitude toward you temporal or temporary possessions pleasing to Jesus your master? When we leave this world what possessions do we take with us, we can only take with us the grace of God.
B) Eternal (Grace)
1) For the benefit of the Body
“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another.”
Everyone is given an ability a gift, of love, helps, prophecy, etc. . . They are given to the body to serve one another. Paul used the analogy of the church as the body of Christ. Everyone receives something from the Holy spirit to serve the body. The grace gifts of God are given to strengthen, to stretch, to support, the church as a whole.
This is where stewardship means more than dollars and cents. If your gift is not used in the service of Perche Church then there will be something missing.
2) For the benefit of the world
“as stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Whoa!! You are saved by grace through faith.
As God’s stewards we present His grace to those that do not know Jesus Christ.
When we tell the story of Jesus we are telling the story of Grace. Grace is giving to someone something they do not deserve. If you pay any attention to the way people feel about God and Jesus in the world today none of them deserve to know God. In fact we do not deserve it.
New English Bible – Like good stewards dispensing the grace of God in its varied forms
As managers of God’s household we are to be sharing His grace with people who hurt, hate, etc.
III. Our Obligations as stewards
There is one thing that is required of stewards of the Bible. I use the word required because it is the very word of God. What one thing is called of us as stewards, as managers of God’s goods and God’s family, and God’s grace? Faithfulness.
Is your hearts desire to hear this when you step into the presence of God? Well done My good and faithful servant.
Conclusion: What does it mean to be a steward? It is recognition of a master and His mission.
