Have We Been Good Stewards for God?

"Steward" is a word that is not used much in conversation today, so let's start with the definitions most applicable to the a biblical context. A steward is:

1. a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.


2. a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.

The Apostles described those who preach and teach the Word of God as "stewards".

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of
the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)

So let's carefully consider what is being said here. First, the gospel was given by Jesus Christ and it is "his". No one else has the right to claim ownership of the gospel, nor has the right to use it as it pleases them. Jesus is very particular about his gospel and does not take favorably to anyone who manipulates it or uses it for their own agenda or gain. The people Jesus chooses to preach or teach the gospel are "stewards" of the gospel. The gospel is to be administered according to how Jesus wants it done, not them; and Jesus will hold his stewards accountable for what they do with it and how they present it to others.

"And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord
shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due
season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he
hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and
shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for
him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will
appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." (Luke 12:42-46)

So let's bring this down to our day, and "us". What has the Lord shown us concerning his gospel and his will for our lives? What has he made us "steward" over? Most people know more about what God expects of them than they should, because they are not obeying what God has shown them. God has made you and me a "steward" over our souls and our lives.

But wait a minute, it is "my soul" and "my life", some would think (or they live that way whether they think or say it.) No! It is not "ours". God has lent to us a soul, and has given us time on earth to live for him to prove if we will be a good and faithful steward of our soul and our life. "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4)

A true Christian is supposed to be a good servant and steward over all that God has given them in this life. This is a hard saying for people to grasp in our day and age of much personal ownership and many personal rights. But by the love of God, they can. "Love of God" meaning their devoted faithfulness to God's will for their life - not their love for what God will do according to their selfish purpose. (We live in a very "twisted" and lost religious minded society today, and we must be careful it does not "rub" off on us!)

All that we are and own belongs to God, if we are truly serving him: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So what has God shown you that he has given you? Have you been a true and faithful steward to use it for his kingdom - or do you use it for your little kingdom? What has God shown you concerning what you should be obeying? Are you being obedient?

"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:47-48)