STEWARDSHIP

1 Peter 4:8-11 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

A general description of stewardship is the controling management of the property, finances, or households of others. It can be the management of either of these areas of responsibility, or it can include all areas. A steward, then, is the person that assumes the duties of stewardship. He, or she, has the fiduciary duties of a caretaker, guardian, or trustee for another. The responsibilities of a steward are the same as those in a slave/master, or employee/employer relationships. In the biblical sense, as used in the lesson text, God is the master or employer, and each Christian is the slave or employee. Each Christian is a steward, and is responsible for the proper use of the numerous gifts he, or she, received from the manifold grace of God.

Muchhas beenwritten in the Bible about gifts. There were miraculous gifts given to the apostles as well as to those to whom they imparted such gifts. These were necessary in the early years of Christianity in order to support and confirm the teaching of the God's word. With the completion of the word of God from the pens of gospel writers inspired by the Holy Spirit, such miraculous gifts were not necessary. The fact that the Bible was the inspired word of God, had already been established and confirmed by such gifts.

The gifts referred to in our lesson text are considered the physical assets and abilities Christians have from birth, attained through education, their own labor, or from association with others. It is these gifts to which the parable of the talents refers. Notice, first of all, that the talents were not given to all equally. It is not God's design that all people should have equal talents and abilities. Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Rome, told them that they have gifts differing according to the grace that is given us, and are responsible to use such gifts to further the cause of Christ. Some were to prophesy, some to minister, some teach, some exhort, some give, some rule, some extend mercy, and all were to be used in love and concern for the physical and spiritual needs of others (See Rom. 12:6-9).

When one becomes a Christian, they assume the obligation of demonstrating charity, or love, and hospitality to others. To remain an obedient Christian, showing love and hospitality toward others is not something we are to do only on certain occasions; it is not something we are to give or withhold at our discretion. Since all physical blessings come from God, we do not own them. We are mere stewards, and, as such, we are obligated to use them, as God requires. We are not to use them selfishly upon ourselves, but, rather, we are to use them without grudging. We are to share them with others through love and hospitality. To be good stewards of our talents, it is necessary for us to search for, and recognize, the physical and spiritual needs of others, and to fill their needs to the best of our abilities.

In our lesson text we find two ways we are to use all of our abilities and other physical blessings. They are through speaking and ministering. With the oracles of God, His holy word, as our guide, we are to speak, or teach others the plan of salvation God extends through his Son, Jesus Christ. Also, Christians are to minister to the needs of others. Whether their needs are spiritual or physical, we are obligated to fill their needs, and to do it as of the ability which God giveth to each of us.

As good stewards, we are to use our talents, abilities, and blessings, by teaching and ministering to the needs of others, and to do so with love and hospitality. What we have to give others is not our own, but are gifts of God. Therefore, in carrying out our duties and responsibilities as Christians, we are not to seek the praise of men. To do so, we would be robbing God of the praise and glory due Him, as the true source of all blessings. In order to be an obedient Christian, good stewardship is necessary. It is not optional - good stewardship is a requirement of God.