The Baptist Digest

Every Disciple A Servant and A Steward

January 2006

For several years I was a foreman in a kitchen cabinet factory called Sungold Cabinets in Calgary, Alberta. This is what I did:

1. I kept the assembly line working in accord with the orders that were coming in.
2. I made sure people were working safely.
3. I kept an eye on how to improve the process of cabinet making from start to finish.
4. I treated every worker respectfully.

This is the stewardship that was given to me by the owner of Sungold. I took the responsibility seriously. I tried to be a good steward.

One image of discipleship in the Scripture is that of a steward.  A foreman or a manager is the market equivalent of the biblical steward in the service of the Master. Every disciple is a servant and a steward. Bar none. At your leisure, look up these references of the responsibilities of stewards: Matthew 20:1-16; Luke 16:1-13; 12:42-46; John 2:8-9; Galatians 4:1-2 and Romans 16:23.

Over the years and as a follower/steward of the Master who desires to be faithful, I have given some attention to the following responsibilities I believe we all share.

1. The stewardship of life. Do you still remember the song “you’re not your own, you belong to God…?”  I am not myself by myself. I am not the captain of my soul; the master of my destiny (no disrespect to the emanations from the Crystal Cathedral intended). I belong to the Master whose steward I am. So here’s the question: How are you managing yourself? How are you managing your soul? Assess where you are with this question.

My body is fit for the master:  Fit   Almost fit   Hardly fit I don’t care

My heart (will and spirit) is in shape: This means I will what God wills; my spirit is attentive to God: Yes   No When I feel like it.

My mind (thoughts, imagination, feelings) is being nurtured constantly on God and godly things:  Often   Rarely

Confide in a close friend and ask for help if you need it to get back on track.

2. The stewardship of the church’s life and work. As a foreman I tried to make sure workers were productive, safe and respected.  Paul, in Titus 1:7-9 states: “For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain…hospitable…lover of goodness…prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled…”  What an awesome stewardship! It is not possible to become this kind of a person on a 10 minute devotional starvation diet. In the church, the “One-Minute-Manager” makes a nice title for a book. That’s all. I’m thinking major time investment in character transformation is needed, constantly. This kind of a steward is shaped by the Holy-Spirit in solitude, silence, meditation, service, guidance, accountability, Sabbath keeping, struggle and study. We are stewards of the church’s life and work. I don’t know about you, clergy or not, but I am sobered by the responsibility.

3. Stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Whatever God gives you he demands an accounting of it. Whatever you are learning of the gospel, is good for you and for others. I am a steward of what I am learning. I am blessed to bless. Calvin Miller challenged me recently to speak confessionally. By that he meant, to share what I am learning about how to do this Christian life. My kids keep remind me, don’t tell us what to do, show us how to do the Christian life. Check your stewardship of the gospel. Are you an information distributor or are you sharing your life with Christ?

4. Last but not least, we are all called to be stewards of grace (1 Peter 4:10-11). The idea here is that tons of grace (certainly more than we deserve) is shoveled our way and we are to manage it all: Comforting words to the hurting, service to the needy; all in the name of Christ and God gets the fame for it all. Take the grace, bless it, consume it, and give it away. Grace yearns for multiplication.

WOW! I am given so much to manage: life, leadership, divine mysteries, and the activity of God in my life. Stewards walk with the Master in managing all they are given. Are you one? 

 

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I thought you might like this column I read at baptistdigest.com. "Every Disciple A Servant and A Steward" For several years I was a foreman in a kitchen cabinet factory called Sungold Cabinets in Calgary, Alberta. This is what I did: 1. I kept the assembly line working in accord with the orders that were coming in. 2. I made sure people were working safely. 3. I kept an eye on how to improve the process of cabinet making from start to finish. 4. I treated every worker respectfully. This is the stewardship that was given to me by the owner of Sungold. I took the responsibility seriously. I tried to be a good steward. You can read the rest here: http://www.baptistdigest.com/archive/column/every_disciple_a_servant_and_a_steward/