Stewarding the Mysteries of God

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1

How do you want people to regard you? Smart, athletic, pretty, wise, humble, rich, influential, powerful, kind?  

We spend a lot of time thinking about our image. Why do we do this? We are "created in the image of God" (Genesis 1:26) and we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). But often we think being created in the image of God is not enough. Sometimes we want to be the Creator. Sometimes we want to be the Master and not the servant. Sometimes we want to be the owner and not the steward.

The Corinthians Paul addresses in this passage struggled with this also. They have self-appointed themselves into positions of leadership and influence, and the power has begun to go to their heads. Paul lovingly, and with a bit of sarcasm (ok, maybe a lot of sarcasm), asks them a rhetorical question, "What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

What if every gift, every skill, every talent, every dollar, every breath we have is something we receive? It is not ours. We do not own it.

All we have, all we own, has been given to us by our Father in Heaven. He hands it to us, invites us, calls us, and commands us to serve Him by stewarding all He has given us for His Kingdom. 

May we be those who delight in being servants.  May we rejoice in stewarding the mysteries of God. 

See you Sunday,

Steven