The Good Steward

When we think of the good steward we naturally think of the servant to whom was given little increased what he had and gained more, Matt25:15. As much as this is the truth of the word of God, God does expect us to be good stewards as well. Now, we may also be thinking along the lines of the monetary blessings that God provides, and as well we should, ICor. 16:2, and IICor.8:3. However, God does desire us to be good stewards in more areas of life that that of money.

I. In the time he gives us.

Hosea 10:12: "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." In this particular text, Hosea is talking of the coming punishment of the people of Israel due to going away from God. We do see what he says in two areas that we take note from.

a. "break up your fallow ground" meaning untilled or unbroken ground. How often we could go beyond our comfort zones so to speak and do just that. How much more spiritual ground we could till for the honor and the glory of God. Broken ground is meant for planting and then the harvest, but it starts with breaking the ground in order to prepare it for the planting.

b. "for it is time to seek the LORD". Notice how the name LORD is kept in all upper case letters. This is to mean that the writer is referring to God, Jehovah, the only true and real God. How imperative it is certainly today that we seek God;

1b- For his direction.
2b- For his help.
3b- For his forgiveness.

II. In our abilities.

We'll not speak to long on this subject, my other blog took care of most of this. However, Ezra 2:69 speaks of the ability of giving. I Peter 4:11 speaks of using our abilities to honor and glorify God which is why we are created for. Though some may not have what one would say is a talent to sing, preach etc., we all have the ability to do something for God that truly would honor and glorify him.

III. In our influence.

Influence: The power to affect others; the power to produce the desired effect.

We influence people on a daily basis whether knowingly, or unknowingly. We show others who and what we truly are in ways that we do not even realize. We influence others in;

a. Our conversation.
b. Our actions.
c. Our dress.

Romans 12:1- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

One word is mentioned in both verse one and in verse two, acceptable. Each one of us must present ourselves acceptable and by our transforming, after our salvation, prove what is the acceptable will of God for our lives. How acceptable are we to God right now? How acceptable were we a few hours ago? We have to realize that even though we are as Christians accepted by him, we are not always acceptable to him. How much the more should we strive to be acceptable to him.