THE FAITHFUL STEWARD OF GOD’S GRACE

Dearly Beloved, THE FAITHFUL STEWARD OF GOD’S GRACE “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV). The Nigerian Baptist Convention is holding its 106th annual session Ogbomoso presently. The general theme for the session is: “Moving Forward: Building a Great Church through Faithful Stewardship” and 1 Peter 4:10 (quoted above) is the theme verse. So, my message for this week will be based on that theme and the biblical verse. There are five (5) important truths from the verse. Firstly, every human being on earth is a steward. God created the first man, Adam, and put him in the Garden of Eden as a steward to take care of the garden. God is still expecting each one of us to take care of what we have or where we are. Secondly, what you have is a gift. Even, you as a person are a gift from God! The psalmist referred to every child as a heritage given by God (see Psalm 127:3). You do not belong to yourself. You belong to God (see Psalm 100:3). Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:20 said that we were bought at price! Everything you have is a gift from God because there is nothing that you have that you have not received (see 1 Corinthians 4:7). These gifts (including your life) are referred to in the theme verse as God’s grace given as God assigned it (see Ephesians 4:7). Grace has been defined as unmerited favour of God. No one merits it, and God cannot be questioned on how He distributes it. Nevertheless, no one should misuse this grace freely given him/her by God. Thirdly, you are to serve others! What you have is not for your selfish interest. You are to use your gifts for the upliftment of others. These gifts (including your life) are also to be used for the glory of God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11). Fourthly, there are different gifts. The theme verse also points it out that these gifts come in various forms. We need to first realize that no two individuals are the same. God has created us in different colours, race, heights, sizes, backgrounds, traits, endowments, gifts, knowledge, level of understanding, numbers of years and the likes. At least, there are 18 different spiritual gifts identified in the New Testament. Lastly, you are to be faithful! It is expected of a steward to be faithful (see 1 Corinthians 4:2). This faithfulness does not have to do with our relationship with God alone. It has to do with relationship with other people. It is interesting to note that some people are not faithful even to themselves! God is expecting us as His stewards to faithfully use our lives and other resources that He has graciously given us for the good of others and for His glory. Are you faithfully using these gifts? Will He find you faithful and reward you for your faithfulness? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always be faithful in using the gifts that God has endowed you with for the good of others and to His glory.