VOL.55 NO.04 APRIL 2014
New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
FOCUS
WITH ROBERT BOOKER
Good Stewards. In the early 1900’s he sailed from Europe to Boston Harbour as an immigrant. He had been a watchmaker in Switzerland but did various jobs in the Boston area until finally he was hired by a wealthy couple as a caretaker of their estate. Over the years he proved so faithful that he became head caretaker with men working under him. Upon his retirement at age 85, the estate owners gave him a car and a house as a reward for his stewardship. His name was Ernest Eckhardt and he lived almost another 17 years after his retirement. He was not a well known personality but I knew him as “Granddaddy.” I can’t think of a better human example of a faithful steward than my grandfather. A steward, by definition, in the New Testament is an “agent” or an overseer or manager of another’s property. A steward is one who is faithful, hard working and accountable. Let’s look at three aspects of Christian stewardship. First of all, Peter tells us that we are stewards of “the manifold grace of
God.” In other words, we are to use the various gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to minister to others. Peter goes on to say that for some, it is prayer; for some, fervent love to others; for some, hospitality; and for some, it is speaking of the grace of God. I think this means, as a steward, we are to give back to God whatever He has given us and to use everything at our disposal to minister to others for His glory. Secondly, a good steward is to be accountable. When Titus gives the qualifications of a church leader, he indicates that he must be blameless “as the steward of God” and then goes on to say some were not blameless and would be held accountable for that. In Luke 16, the rich man called in one of his stewards who had been accused of wrongdoing and held him accountable. In Genesis 15 and on, Abraham gives strict instructions to his steward, Eliezer, as he sends him to find a bride for Isaac. My responsibility as a Christian and a steward is to use the gifts God has given me to minister to others for His glory, knowing that one day I will stand before Him to give account of my service.
Thirdly, a good steward is faithful. Referring to the biography at the beginning of this article, I well remember the long hours my grandfather worked; the meticulous care he gave to the flowers, trees, lawns and buildings, and the evident beauty as a result for all to see. Paul says in I Corinthians 4 that faithfulness is “required” or must be sought after. We must, as stewards before God, faithfully exercise every talent, ability and gift in His service down here, realizing that our loving Father will some day require accountability up there.
VacationVision with a
June 29-July 4 & July 6-11, 2014 See page 4
Spring Bible Conference 2014 WITH DR. WENDELL CALDER May 1-4, See page 3
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