Christian Stewardship

Matthew 9:9 “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom (tax office); and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

A lot of individuals when they hear the words “Christian stewardship” immediately think of helping someone, or giving once or twice a year to a charity; however, Christian stewardship is much deeper and includes a host of other activities. Christian stewardship is putting faith into action. It is accepting what our Father wants us to do in order to teach, help and/or restore value to a person’s life and accepting a lifestyle that our Father has for us.

Christian stewardship is using the talents, skills, and abilities that He has given us in order to spread the gospel and benefit others. Christian stewardship involves stepping out on faith and believing and trusting in our Father. It involves knowing that He is by our side and will guide our path accordingly through the Holy Spirit. It is doing exactly what Matthew did in the above passage and that was—he followed Jesus.

Our Father has called everyone to be faithful stewards in their lifetime. This means using your skills and abilities according to what our Father has given you. One might ask, “What can I do? I don’t have the money? Or belong to a local church.” Our Father directs us to do His business at the time that He has appointed for us to do them. He directs our paths and leads us toward His will. What we don’t ever want to do is—resist the Holy Spirit. Whether we have money or not; belong to a local church or not we have been called as Christian stewards—disciples for our Saviour and we must be about our Father’s business when He calls.

At times we would like to pick and choose which talents we want to share with others and which lessons or scriptures we want to teach. But we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that is guiding us, not man, not money, but the Holy Spirit, who is guided your talents in order to reach His flock. As a Christian Steward we must be obedient to our Father’s Word and His commandments, and never lean on our own understanding of how and why certain things are done as they are. Thus, remembering that our Father has a purpose to everything that He does.

We might say, “I’d rather write a couple books, or prepare Christian newsletters, rather than go to a prison to preach.” Or “I’d rather just sit in a pew and listen to a minister preach, not minister myself.” But we cannot think on those lines. When our Father sees us He does not see the fleshly body that we see in the mirror. Our Father sees the spiritual body within us, which He foreknew before the foundations of this earth. What our Father has planned for his faithful stewards are so much larger than we or anyone else, can ever expect, comprehend, or imagine, and will all come in due season.

Christian stewardship is NOT making a name for oneself in society; nor is it performing works for praise, recognition, and self-esteem; it should not be a boastful, tiring or grievous event; nor should it involve a quid pro quo mentality (I do for you, you do for me); nor is it giving simply because those around you are giving, in order to prove that you are a Christian at face-value.

Christian stewardship comes from our Father’s grace and love. It is our heavenly Father that will give you the ability to give and share according to the means He has provided you with at that specific time. Whether it consists of giving time, money, skills, or abilities all should be done—cheerfully. For it is mentioned in II Corinthians 9:7 that our Father loves a cheerful giver, and it reads, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Becoming a cheerful giver is also a part of Christian stewardship; however, we must remember that this does not always mean giving money to a ministry or to a certain charity or cause. Thus, requiring the giving of only money is very common in most ministries today; however, it is actually a very small percentage as a cheerful giver. A cheerful giver may include, but not limited to, reading scriptures to the elderly; volunteering with a local ministry; feeding the poor and needy; spreading the good news, by the means our Father has provided us.

A cheerful giver may also help by managing the environment; Christian counseling; willingness to share possessions, that are no longer in use or in abundance, for needy families; offering a meal to your Minister and his family; preparing a meal for the homeless, widows and needy; as a Minister baptizing, giving communion to others, and saving souls; actively praying for those in need; and using your talents and skills to support the teaching of our Father’s Word.

As a Christian steward we must understand that we should always give where we are being spiritually fed. But it is the Holy Spirit that will inform us as to whether or not we are being spiritually fed. Thus, it will not be based on how many times we’ve stepped into a building made with hands. Therefore, when you think of giving, always remember to ask the heavenly Father for direction and to guide you on a path that is pleasing toward Him and not pleasing toward man. Proverbs 3:5, 6 states, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Christian stewardship should be a daily part in everyone’s lives. It may mean meditating over our Father’s Word and applying it in our everyday language and how we treat one another on a daily basis. It may include actively praying in the Spirit and thanking and praising our Father for the many, many things that He has done for us. How He has kept us from the snares of wickedness and shielded us from the lusts and cares of this world. Thank Him for the breath of life, health, sanity, peace, forgiveness and many more.

A Christian steward must always remember that our reward is not in this life, nor in this world; rather it is stored up among the many riches and treasures in our Father’s kingdom, which is not of this world. Luke 12:42 reads, “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?” And that’s what we strive for as faithful stewards, everlasting life in our Father’s kingdom, and our portion of meat in due season.

We can never let anyone discourage us from following our Father and living according to what His plans are. People will always proudly voice negative opinions when you are about your Father’s business.  By stating such things as, “You can’t teach!” Or “You don’t know anything!” Or “I don’t believe you!” Or “Why should I listen to you when you don’t go to a local church!” Remember, Satan will always work through others, mostly those whom you are close with, in order to make war or place doubt in the minds of our Father’s remnant.

Therefore, as a faithful Christian steward, we must always recognize when Satan, the prince of the air, has entered the conversation or has entered the room. And remember, our Saviour Yeshua/Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people, but He still faithfully persevered, prayed with all diligence, and remained about His Father’s business, as a faithful steward, until His death.