In everything we say, our words are either offerings of worship or tools of the enemy. And that is not limited to the words of praise we sing in church. No wonder God places such a premium on the words we speak. They are like nitroglycerin: they can either blow up bridges or heal hearts. Paul advised Timothy to “train yourself for godliness for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. ![]() Christian diets, workout regimes, and fashion tips are not what the stewardship of the body is about, though stewardship does include proper care of our bodies. This involves treating your body as a temple in which God dwells, not sacrificing your body on the altar of society’s idolatrous fixation with physical fitness, sex appeal, and cosmetic beauty. Paul asked the Corinthians, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:10–13) The Stewardship of Your Body If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. We worship God by being faithful with the money He entrusts to us. They fail to realize the critical issue is rarely how much they have, but what they do with what they have. Many people think their problems would be solved if they had more money. To be a faithful steward of your relationships, focus on your character and the other person’s needs, not vice versa. But you are responsible for your role in your relationships. You are not responsible for how people treat you. 5:22–23) is cultivated in the soil of relationships. Difficult people are providentially placed in your life for your sanctification. The Stewardship of Your Relationshipsĭid you know your relationships are a gift from God? I know it may not seem that way with some people you have to deal with. Pray with Moses: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps. We worship God by being good stewards of the time He has given us. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus was never in a hurry, but He always had the time to do God’s will? We are always in a hurry and rarely have time to do God’s will. This doesn’t happen through time-management techniques or time-saving technologies. It is vital that we make the most of every opportunity. We live our lives confined to the passing moments of our brief time on this earth. What does it mean to worship God with your life? The Stewardship of Your Time It is life worship, not just lip worship. It calls for devotion to the Lord on a day-to-day basis. Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” This call to worship involves more than Sunday service. Stewardship is about much more than financial offerings. Why should we live faithfully? Paul answers, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor. ![]() ![]() We have one duty to the God who has richly given us all things to enjoy: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. One cannot exist without the other.”Įverything we possess belongs to God. David audited God’s assets and reported God’s portfolio: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Ps. The bottom line of Christian stewardship can be stated in four words: God owns it all. All of life is a sacred trust for which you must give an account to God. Stewardship is more than how you spend your money, manage your schedule, and use your gifts. These three aspects of stewardship are the truth, but not the whole truth. In the church I grew up in, stewardship was defined narrowly- giving your time, talents, and treasures. We have forgotten that worship is more about what you offer to God than what you receive fromGod. We rate the service by how much we get out of it. The nature of worship does not change in the New Testament. Every Old Testament act of worship, personal or corporate, was Godward, not manward. In the Old Testament, the most basic act of worship-presenting an offering to be sacrificed to God on the altar-was about what people gave to God, not the other way around. What does stewardship have to do with worship? Everything.
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