THE FAITHFUL STEWARD
I CORINTHIANS 4:2
INTRODUCTION: In the work Death of a Salesman Willie Lohman dies. His family looks down into the open grave and his son says, “He never knew who he was.” Do you know who you are? If you are a child of God you are a steward! Look at some words in this verse. “Steward” = manager, overseer, agent. “Required” = not suggested. “Faithful” = he doesn’t require us to be successful or resourceful but faithful. That is loyal, trustworthy and dependable. The faithful steward needs to:
I. Understand God’s Ownership
He’s the owner. We are the stewards. What does he own?
A. Every Place: He holds the deed to every plot, lot and spot. He owns all space and every race. See Gen. 1:1, 2:15; Deut. 10:14; Job 41:11; Ps. 24:1.
B. Every Possession: We can’t give Him anything. All we can do is return to Him what already belongs to Him. You think you own that house? Whose will it be a hundred years from now? See Lev. 25:23; Haggai 2:8.
C. Every Provision: Since He owns He can be trusted to provide. See Ps. 50:10; Phil. 4:19. He assumes responsibility for what He owns.
II. Realize Our Obligation
Even though He owns and loans seldom does He drop it in the lap of the idle. Give heed to how you gather. See Co. 3:23-24. We should work. What does the Bible have to say about work?
A. The Summons to Work: If you won’t work then don’t expect Him to provide (the able bodied that is). Look at Prov. 6:6-8, 28:19; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:8; II Thess. 3:10.
B. The Strength to Work: Deut. 8:18
C. The Success of Work: Ps. 37:25; Prov. 20:4, 13; Eph. 4:28.
The formula is simple: Give Him your heart, work hard and you will have a harvest.
III. Give Careful Oversight
We need to gather then guard. I Tim. 6:6-10. If we are not careful money/possessions can destroy us. There’s a message here for three people.
A. The Materialist: It’s all about accumulation. The motivation is for money and merchandise. See Matt. 16:26; Ex. 20:17; Prov. 15:27; Jer. 6:13; Ezk. 33:31; Micah 2:2; Heb. 2:9; Lk. 12:15; James 5:3. Advice: save some of what you earn.
B. The Miser: Lk. 16:19-31. He hoards all he can. Prov. 19:17; 14:31. Advice: share some of what you have.
C. The Misuser: Throws money away on useless items. Advice: be sensible with what you possess. Rom. 13:8; Prov. 22:7; 17:18; Ps. 37:2.
CONCLUSION: If your outgo exceeds your income your upkeep will be you downfall. Be a faithful steward!
