Dear believers in Christ,
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Key verse : “They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers because they acted with complete honesty”. 2 Kings 12:15
Stewardship is giving, serving, honesty, responsibility, and wise use of talents which God has given to us. God, in His abundance and mercy has given each one of us His gift of talents, human and material sources. Biblically, stewardship can be defined as utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation. The Bible emphasizes that God’s servants are to be wise stewards and managers over the resources He provides. The resources may be financial, physical and human alike actually belong to Him. We, Christians are called to be stewards to maintain and use the resources wisely that God has given. I would like to bring out some of the points about the stewardship from the scripture.
Stewardship Demands Honesty
In 2 Kings 12:1-16, we see that king Johoash, instructed the priests to collect money from the people and repair the temple. But by the twenty-third year of king Johoash, the priests still had not repaired the temple. Then he ordered them not to collect any money from the people. The key verse says that no account was required as they acted with complete honesty. Honest is a very important qualification for any steward. Especially, whoever entrusted with responsibilities, to work for the public and manage the public resources they should act honestly. Writing account is not necessary when we handle the money honestly. Each day and Sunday to contribute with material and other resources for the ministries of the church. We are called to earn these resources honestly and give and share these resources happily with neighbors and needy.
Stewardship is Entrusted with Responsibility
Luke 19:11-27 says the parable of Ten pounds the king gives his servants and expects them to use it responsibly. The servants had great work to do for their master, who gave them the pounds. The parable tells us that two of his servants used the pounds very wisely and responsibly and able to earn another ten and five pounds respectively. The two servants were able to give the good account. Everybody entrusted with distinct responsibilities to act for the glory of God. The parents have the responsibility to grow up their children in a right manner. The Bible says that “Children are a heritage from the Lord”. So we are responsible and accountable to God about our children. The teachers are responsible to educate the students, the pastors to nourish their congregation spiritually, and so on. God expects everybody to act responsibly to be good stewards.
Stewardship of Serving
Philippians 4:10-20 tells us that the good work of Philippians in helping Paul during his missionary journey. Paul acknowledges, their help and thanks to them for their gifts. We are called to help others who are in need. God gives us resources, talents, time and money to serve others. The main objective of the church is to help the people who are under privileged, the orphan, the disadvantaged, oppressed, the differently abled people and the neglected ones. All these resources have been given with the purpose of transforming the world and bringing the kingdom of God on earth. We are called to be the stewards to help the people who are in need.
I Peter 4:10 says “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grave”, we are called to use God’s gifts effectively. Throughout the Bible, we read that God expects us to act as faithful stewards to fulfill his will on the earth. We are entrusted with so many responsibilities by God to act as faithful stewards to manage the resources responsibly, honestly and serving to bring glory to God.
Colossians 3:24 tells us “Knowing that form the Lord you will receive the inheritance as you reward; you are serving the Lord Christ”.
May God bless you all. Amen.
Rev. J. Jayakumar
Presbyter
CSI Tamil Parish, Dubai.
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