14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
I Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
We live in a world today that they are concerned about there own and not concerned about being good and faithful stewards of what God ha intrusted them with. As we approach the coming of the Lord, we should all learn to be better stewards of the things that the Lord has trusted us to manage. As the the story of the master who went on a journey and intrusted 3 men with talents to care for in his absence. We can be like the man with the 10 & 5 talents and use them to increase the talents or we can be like the one with 1 talent and hide it and never use. In the 7 years of pastoring I have watched those who are frustrated with the leadership and with God that they are not given more tasks or responsibilities in the kingdom, but their lack of committment to the things God has put in their care has not proven they can be responsible with more from the Lord. I want to the Lord to know that I am faithful in all things and I am willing to go the extra mile to bless his kingdom with the talents he has given to me.
There are many areas of our lives that we can be better stewards in and we should all today stop and think about these areas and to see where we lack the faithfulness God requires of us. I want to here his say, "Well done thy good and faithful servant." I want to here him invite me into the party (joy). Which we know as Heaven.
Time - How do you manage the 24 hrs a day that God gives to you? The bible mentions time nearly 800 times in 700 verses of scripture. Sound like God is aware of our time. Even Jesus recognized time in John 9:4.
“Everything we do requires time; and the better stewards of time we are, the more we will achieve and the greater will be our rewards” (Ron Becton, “It’s about Time,” Apostolic Man, 2003).
Money - Dueteronomy 8:8 states that God gives us the ability to obtain wealth. As we are able to do this, we are caught in the pursuit of money instead of the one that provides wealth. I have met people who are quick to tell me "Man of God" I don't have the kind of money that allows me to pay tithes and offerings like others. However, I just watch God deliver them from R.J. Reynolds, Anheiser Bush, etc. It is funny that we can find the money we need when we have something we desire. I pray that you desire Christ and desire to be a good steward of the funds he has intrusted you with. I want to please Jesus even in my finances. I have also learned that if you don't pay your tithes God has his way of making sure you don't enjoy that money. Remember the time you didn't pay your tithes and God took out that transmission or that washing machine?
Prayer - Do you have time to do everything, but pray?
“Daily we make decisions and choices that reveal our relationship to these treasures entrusted to our care. How we use our time, our talents, and our treasure declares clearly what matters most to us. Watch what a person does with these, and you will quickly see his priorities” (Michael Williams).
Satan attacks our minds therefore we need to renew our mind through prayer. We should in being good stewards of our time make sure there is always time for prayer.
Gospel - Good stewards are accountable to preach the gospel message everywhere we go. Are you shopping for more than groceries at Wal-Mart. You may not realize it, but God may have the next evangelist to your city or state standing next to you in the check-out line. We live in a world were people are bound by the things of sins and you and I are the keys to their freedom. Let's give them Jesus.
Truth is precious in any generation. Jesus prophesied, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Talents - God has given many of us talents and it is our responsibility to use them for the Lord. If you are a singer, are you singing for the Lord? If you are a teacher, are you teaching for the Lord? Are you good with crafting things? Are you using that skill to build things for God?
we should developed and hon the talents God has given to us. We are to be good stewards with all that God has blessed us with.
Your choice to be a good steward will determine your destiny. That one that is stingy with his time, money, and talents will be left with what he has. I don't know about you, but I want more from God than what I have. Will you join us to be better faithful stewards?
No comments:
Post a Comment