"Stewardship"

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

The very word causes many to look the other way. It is in our human pride to be owners. Stewardship is not ownership but "loanership." All that we have is loaned to us by our Heavenly Father, and there is a responsibility that comes with it. Whether one admits it or not, he is a steward. However, there is an aspect of stewardship often overlooked. We often hear of our responsibility to honor our Father with the things He has given us, but as a Father He also expects His children to carry a responsibility for each other. He wants us to give to each other. We are to be looking for needs that we can meet in the lives of those around us.

Let us see a few things God encourages us to give to each other.

     1. Encouragement - Hebrews 10:24
Here we are told to use our lives as encouragements to our saved family, to love one another, and to do more for God. In other words, we are to be each other's fans! We root for them, and inspire them to keep going, and to try harder. This is being a good steward!

     2. Necessities - James 2:15, 16
If we see our saved family in need of the basic requirements of life (food, clothing, shelter), we are to give them these things. All that we have came of our Father and He will see our proper attitude toward these things and bless us. He does not promote laziness, but rather hard work. As we give to those in need, we must also encourage them to believe God's Word, to work and to pray! But remember, God may be testing your attitude toward stewardship.

     3. Prayer - 1 Thessalonians 5:25
Here is a simple and yet profound appeal. "Pray for us." The time and energy spent going to God on behalf of our brethren is stewardship at its best. If I have nothing to give from my hands, I have yet to give from my knees! What more can be done than to take one of my brethren by name to God's throne of grace, and ask on his behalf! Oh, how this would change our hearts toward each other. This would make us the steward (servants) our Father longs for us to be. Prayer is something that we all can give!

Study verses - 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28; Romans 12:3-21; Matthew 5:39-48

Previous devotions

"Tithing" - January 6, 2010
"An Expected End" - December 30, 2009
"Silent Night, Holy Night" - December 23, 2009
"Christmas - Part 2" - December 16, 2009
"Christmas - Part 1" - December 9, 2009
"Walk in Truth" - December 2, 2009