I'm really dragging this morning. This week, I got back into the part-time teaching I've done for the past four years, after a busy summer, yet one that involved no teaching. So, for this old gal, it was somewhat of an adjustment. My last class of the week was last night; and this morning, I'm tired.
Ironically, I had decided yesterday to focus on 1 Cor 3:22 - 4:2 (NET).
Everything belongs to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
4 One should think about us this way—as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful.
The word "steward" is not a common one in our American language today. It is a word that marries the connotations of "servant" with "trusted keeper". In other words, a steward is one who has been entrusted with something precious by his or her master; and, because of this high honor, the steward diligently cares for that precious commodity.
In this context, Paul calls himself a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God. So are we. You may not think of yourself as "a Paul". Truly, none of us are. But, each of us who claim Jesus Christ as Savior is, to some degree described by these verses.
1. We belong to Jesus Christ.
2. All that is His ("everything") is ours as well.
3. Since He is our Lord, we are His stewards.
4. By the Holy Spirit, varying degrees of the mysteries of God are given to us. (Truly, all of God's written revelation is available to each of us!)
All this talk of stewards reminds me of the story in Matthew 25:14-30. I'm not going to dissect that parable here. That's another blog post for another day. But, the point is that these three stewards were entrusted with their master's wealth, each according to his abilities and gifts. The two who were entrusted with the most increased their master's wealth by 100%. The third steward, who was given the least to manage, fearfully hoarded his resources and merely maintained the original investment.
As Christ-followers, we are entrusted with the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21) Our responsibility, each of us, is to faithfully multiply what He has given us, according to our abilities and gifts. We are to be "multiplication specialists"!
I teach teachers how to work with children who are "gifted", according to a prescribed definition adopted by the state of Georgia. But, in addition to the Holy Bible, God gives each of His children, through the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, when they first trust in Jesus as their Savior. All true believers are "spiritually gifted"! That unique package of gifts is part of our spiritual inheritance and treasure. We must not hoard what we have been given, but rather, diligently exercise our faith and use our gifts, for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
Don't we, as earthly parents, wish this for our children? Don't we long to see them "become" the people they were designed to be, using their God-given abilities? I was reading on Facebook this morning about how some of my friends are moving their children into college dorms this week. My own two "Hood-lums" start afresh at KSU on Monday. What parents wants to see his or her child "bury his or her talent in the ground"? Instead, don't we keep a watchful eye over our children, lovingly upholding them, exhorting them to do their very best? We parents get that from God the Father, who yearns to see us, His own beloved children, multiply His kingdom, according to the "everything" He has already lavished on us!
This material world is so seductive; Christians are not immune to its charms. Chasing after worldly materialism and/or worldly success takes our focus off of our greatest treasure, that spiritual treasure we already possess! It is so easy to get side-tracked or off-base or just simply...tired. For the glory of God, we must not allow that to happen.
Holy Spirit, I thank you for my own, unique "gift package". Fill me; inspire me to "multiply" today.
In Jesus' name, amen.
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