REQUIREMENTS OF FAITHFULNESS AS A STEWARD OF GOD - CHARLIE CABURIAN
REQUIREMENTS OF FAITHFULNESS AS A STEWARD OF GOD
“Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that o man be found faithful.” –I Cor. 4: 1-2
This part of the scripture specifically points to the minister but may I point out that stewardship is not limited to them alone. The church, every single member of the
Before going any further, there are two words that needs to be defined; they are requirements and faithfulness. Requirement in part means, “essential condition” and faithfulness in part means “being constant, true.” Faithfulness is derived from the root word faithful which is synonymous with loyalty. The key question to unlock the heart of this message would be “What are the Requirements (essential conditions) of Faithfulness (being constant, true) as a steward of God?” But before that, let us also consider the question, “Why is faithfulness required?” Let me answer by quoting from Bro. Greg Tylers’s ICC message October 2007 issue. In fact my formulating of this message was after reading and meditating on that message through approaching it on a different angle. “Why is faithfulness required? First of all, for our own eternal welfare. For us to gain a crown of life at the last day, we must be faithful to God. Faithfulness is required for our own eternal welfare and also for the spiritual welfare of others. Other people’s eternal destiny might depend on my faithfulness or my lack thereof faithfulness is required for the perpetuation of the gospel. Angels aren’t coming down on earth to show the gospel to humanity. “Faithfulness is required for the perpetuation of the gospel and for the preservation of the Church. We are part of something that is greater than we ourselves. Everyone is important. We are part of the greatest institution on the face of the earth. The progress of that institution (speaking of the Church) or the lack of progress, somewhat depends on our faithfulness. That’s why it is required of stewards that a man or woman be faithful. Faithfulness is required as a proof that the word of God is true. We prove if we are faithful that the word of God is true.” Please bear that in mind as you go along reading this message.
SALVATION – NECESSARY
Salvation is necessity. Salvation is the only method or means of placing us to the high rank of becoming a steward of God Almighty. No other way will do. A man may profess to be a steward of God without salvation but such stewardship is not conceded or accepted by God. To be steward we must be God called and God sent man. Never will God use as sinner to become a steward of His Heavenly Kingdom. In fact, salvation is the primary condition for being a faithful steward and the things to be discussed will serve as auxiliaries which I wish to enlarge upon. This confronts us with the question, “What is Salvation?” In the book of Matthew chapter 1 verse 21, we read “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The dictionary meaning of save in part means, “rescue, deliver, liberate, free”, and from what will Jesus save his people? The answer is a bare and obvious fact, it is from their sins. I searched for the meaning of the word “from” and this is what I found out – expressing point of departure, source, distance, cause, change of state, etc. So does this mean we can live free FROM sin? Precisely, through Jesus Christ we can. Salvation is effected by repentance… Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3. True repentance is manifested by its fruits. “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matthew 3:8. Deep sorrow for sin is one of the fruits meet for repentance. “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of…”2 Cor.
As a stated earlier, salvation is the only method or means of placing an individual to become a steward of God. One notable example of this from the scripture is the experience we see from the life of the great prophet Isaiah. We find that in Isaiah 6: 1-8, space forbids that I’ll go on details writing that passage of the scripture and if we’re quite familiar with the scripture we’ll understand, but for those who needs some detailed information I ask them to read it from their Bibles. In that passage of the scripture, it is vividly evident that there is a qualification to the plea “Whom shall I send?” and evidently the qualification is salvation. We see here the sequence of the process of salvation in Isaiah’s life. Isaiah was “enlightened” to the truth that he is a sinner by his confession “… I am a man of unclean lips...” and we see him deeply sorrowed by saying “..Woe is me for I am undone..” What makes this beautiful was his willingness of inclination (not forced of frightened) to allow God to touch his lips and take his sins away and be purged. Consequently, he then was allowed to be sent bearing the message (one way of stewardship, another is the holy life that Christian’s bear) to be heralded to ancient
REQUIREMENTS OF FAITHFULNESS
There are different virtues doubtless that will lead individual Christians to become more faithful. Let me name a few and I pray that what I am sharing will elevate the Church’s faithfulness.
I. FAITH
Faith makes us faithful. The Bible definition of faith means “…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” He.11:1. There are three distinct meanings of faith. First, the act of the soul towards God and in His words. Secondly, faith is the doctrine of gospel. Third, historical faith. Historical faith is an active kind. If we desire to be faithful, we must have the first one listed above. In effect, if we have faith in God and in His promises comes the assurance that what He says He’ll do. In other words we can well count on what God says will come to pass. It would be unreasonable to be faithful to someone who is ever true and faithful. In the midst of trials and temptations, it is faith in God that will enable us to stand and pass through them showing our faithfulness. Faith produces an optimistic outlook in life, “And we know (believe with faith) that all thins work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to Hid purpose.” Romans 8:28. Even the most sorrowful event of life cannot lead us to be unfaithful if we have faith in our heart that says, “Everything works together for good.” We show our faithfulness by our faith in God. Temptations come as an effort of the devil to make us unfaithful but by having faith in God’s promises we can counter-act that by that by believing the words we find in I Cor. 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Believing on these words firmly will help us not to let God down. If Christians fail as a result of temptation, it shows a lack of faith, it’s a letting down of faith. Our faith must not be stagnant. Faith is even one of our most important armor; we read that in the book of Ephesians. Our faith must increase. Though our measure of faith depends on God’s distribution – Romans 12:3 “…according as God dealt to every man the measure of faith.” He still expects something on our part. Faith can be increased in various ways; by Bible reading, meditations, hearing, etc. “So then faith cometh by hearing and bearing the word of God.” Romans 10:17. One vital way to strengthen our faith is by exercising holiness. This faith and works in dual action. Have enough faith dearly beloved for faith begets faithfulness.
II. HOPE
Hope is next to faith. Hope in part means “expectation of something desired.” Let me share the interesting ideas given by the late D.O. Teasly in his book “Rays of Hope”, “Christian hope is the firm expectation of all promised good things, so far as they may be for God’s glory and our good but especially of eternal salvation and happiness in heaven where we shall be conformed to the son of God which hope is founded on the grace blood righteousness and intercession of Christ, and the earnest of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and the unchangeable truth and almighty power of God, which will always second His word. This hope is distinguished from worldly hopes, first by excellency of the object which is an eternal state of glory and joy; whereas worldly hopes are terminated on empty vanishing things gilded over with the thin appearance of good. Secondly by the stability of its foundation, namely God’s unchangeable truth and almighty power. God cannot lie and consequently neither deceive our faith, nor disappoint our hopes; He can do all things which the apostle makes the ground of his confidence. 2 Timothy 1: 12, I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day. But worldly hopes are always uncertain. There is so much of impotence or deceit in all the means used to obtain human desires that the success is doubtful. Thirdly, divine hope is distinguished from carnal presumption by its inseparable effect; it has a cleansing efficacy. I John 3:2, ‘Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. He endeavors to shun all sin, and to be perfecting holiness. He purifieth himself by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, from whom the spiritual life, and all the operations if it do proceed. But vain and groundless hopes are inspirations of wind, loose and effective.” I cannot describe any better the way Bro. D. O. Teasly did. These suits perfectly the reason to be faithful. Knowing that beyond the troubles and persecutions as a consequence of righteous living is an eternal home with joy and glory, and knowing that this is real and not fancy; is there a reason cause to be unfaithful? Remind ourselves dearly beloved, St.Paul as a result of faithfulness said in Acts 28:20 – “For the hope of
III. OBEDIENT ATTITUDE
If we have an active faith and lively hope for heaven we are doubtless going to do (obey) the things that will lead us there. There must be within us an obedient attitude to every new light that comes our way as a result of walking with God. Obedience will elevate our spirituality and unlocks God’s power. Those who obey easily are the ones who grow into Christian maturity easily. I think of the apostle Paul. It did not take long years for the apostle Paul to become a man of prestige, his secret: obedience. I read a phrase that goes somewhat this way “In the spiritual world, maturity is not measured by time but by obedience pursued in conforming to become more like Christ.” Let me also say that “maturity is not measured by how much you know but by how you live what you know.” When people see you obeying God despite the scorns and persecutions they see someone who is loyal, loyal for the cause of Christ.
IV. LOVE
Love is the most powerful force on the face of the earth. That godly love “shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” This love is our motivating factor to be faithful. This love will be tested. There will be people allowed in our midst to become a tool of the devil. They’ll curse you; they’ll criticize you; persecute you, but having this love will help us realize that it’s the devil working behind instead of looking at what they’re doing, that deep love will see the need of that poor soul down on our persecutor’s heart. In fact love is the reason why we obey God’s commandments. Let our love be always on fire that people sees us as someone who is persuaded that even our bitterest enemy cannot cause us to be unfaithful. “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind (kindness is better than being right); charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoice not in iniquity, but rejoice in truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth…” To have more of this love is to be more faithful.
V. HUMILITY
A humble heart acknowledges that he doesn’t know everything that’s why they always find the mind of God in everything he does. Humility will teach us to accept rebukes heartily. There are those who seem to be accepting rebukes but in their hearts is a resistance. A real humble heart is easily entreated. When we have more hearts of humility, problems which are inevitable can be easily solved. God always blesses the humble and brings down the proud. Pride is a bar that blocks God’s grace in our hearts. A humble heart esteems other more highly than themselves. These words are no doubt easier said than done but we can have more humility for all a work in progress. Let me share here something that’s quite interesting, taken from Pulpit Helps.
“If two goats meet each other in a narrow path above a stream of water, what do they do? They cannot turn back, and they cannot pass each other for there is not an inch of space room. Instinctively, they know if they butt each other, both will fall into the water below and be drowned. What would do they do?
Nature has taught one goat to lie down so that the other can pass over its body; as a result, each goat arrives at its destination safe and sound.
Try it. It works.”
Want to become faithful? Be humble.
VI. PATIENCE
Christian life is described as a race. In the book of Hebrew it is said that “…run with patience this race that is set before us.” Why do we need patience? We need it because this life is a life of severe battle, battle against the wickedness. And this battle is not just for a day but a lifetime battle here on earth. There are different effects coming from the devil trying to hinder us. These sufferings must be patiently endured. Patience is said that “it’s not the ability to wait but it’s having the right attitude while waiting.” Patience is needed in winning souls for Christ. Patience is needed in molding newborn babes in Christ. Patience is needed in solving problems of a local Church. Let us not minimize the importance of patience. Let me again share here a story entitled “Don’t give up…” taken from the book “Stories of the Heart.”
“One day a young man was walking along an isolated road when he heard something like a crying sound. He couldn’t tell for sure what the sound was but it seemed to be coming from underneath a bridge. As he approach the bridge, the sound got louder and then he saw a pathetic sight. There, lying in the muddy river bed, was a puppy about two months old. It has a gash on its head and was covered with mud. Its front legs were swollen where they had been tightly bound with cords.
The young man was immediately moved with compassion and wanted to help the dog, but as he approached, the crying stopped and the dog started snarled his lip and started to growl. But the young man did not give up. He sat down and started gently talking to the dog. It took a long time but eventually the dog stopped growling and the man was able to inch forward and eventually touched the dog and begin unwrapping the tightly bound cord. The young man carried the dog home, cared for its wounds, and gave it food and water and a warm bed. Even with this all, the dog continued to snarl and growl every time the young man approached. But the young man did not give up.
Weeks went by and the young man continued caring for the puppy. Then one day, as the young man approached, the dog wagged its tail. Consistent (patient) love and kindness had won a lifelong friendship of loyalty and trust began.”
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9. Patience is needed to build a character of faithfulness.”
