But one thing that I always got
From every job I’ve done,
Is do the best I can each day
And try to make it fun.
The boss expects a job well done
From every man he’s hired.
He’ll let you slide by once or twice,
Then one day you’ll get fired.”
–Red Steagall (“The Fence That Me and Shorty Built”)
“You must be ready dressed and have your lamps alight, like men who wait to welcome their lord and master on his return from the wedding-feast, so that when he comes and knocks at the door, they may open it for him at once. Happy are the servants whom their lord finds on the alert when he arrives.”
–Luke 12:35-37 (Phillips)
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My mercy; it’s hard to believe that one month is already placed in the annals of history. I could go on a political tirade here, but part of my responsibility is to remain sane, calm, cool, and collected. But it does relate to what I want to say this morning.
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
–1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV)
Some versions refer to “stewards” as “managers.” I like the way that J.B. Phillips rendered verse 2, “And it is a prime requisite in a trustee that he should prove worthy of his trust.” “Trustee” of what God has given us. Jesus spoke of “stewards” in Matthew 24. There is the parable of the faithful servant (steward) and the evil servant (steward)–24:45-51. He continued the thought in Matthew 25, with the parable of the talents be given out to the servants (stewards). They were expected to manage the house and the talents properly.
I want to first mention the “mysteries of God.” We are to be stewards of the mysteries of God. That sounds somewhat scary–what are they? I have thought about that phrase several times, and through reading and study I conclude that we are seeing the mysteries of God in action. Men and women are walking aimlessly in this life, not knowing where to turn, and trying to come up with solutions to problems. God has the answer and has given it to us. His Son! Mysteries are the essential truths; things undiscoverable by human intellect. They come by the Holy Spirit when one accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Now to the main matter–stewards. What actually is a steward? We see the term “steward”, we see “manager” and “trustee.” A steward was simply a person in charge of the household, or the estate. That entailed caring for the estate, whatever that may be, and also seeing to the distribution of good according to the needs of those in the household. Many ministers use this term in regard to tithing, but that is only part. Being a good steward/manager/trustee is to follow the example in the Old Testament of tithing, but it is far more than that. A steward manager/trustee recognizes that he is a servant thus he owns nothing of his own. All belongs to the Master! We give what He tells us to give.
It is more than monetary giving, however. How have you managed your time? Of course, one-third of it is for sleeping, another third is for your job, but what of the other eight hours? Your mind? How is that used? In other words, we are to be good stewards/managers/trustees of everything under our keeping, and yes, that includes money.
The question is then how to be a good steward. Did you fulfill your duties and responsibilities in the month of January? If so, then you were a good steward. Alan Redpath says that it is “for a man to turn his back deliberately upon all self-ambition and self-confidence, submitting to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ in his life.” Realizing that you are not autonomous and will have to answer to the Master is part of being a good steward. You are taking care of His, and with that remember that means that you must take care of yourself as well for you belong to Him.
A good steward/manager/trustee will then, will do the will of God. My pastor, last week preached that it is doing your job, year after year, day after day. He continued to say that in running the race, which is life itself, the track is not set by the runner. Whatever course we find ourselves on we are to run it with perseverance. We will stay on the prescribed course for to get off it would means disqualification. Things, (i.e., the virus) will try to slow you down–run on. Sin will try to get you off course–run on. Weariness and fatigue may set in making you want to stop, maybe even quit–run on. Run with endurance the race that God has for you personally. Then when He returns He will see that you were a good steward and will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant [steward/manager/trustee]: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21, NKJV)