By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/23/20

The Assurance You Need to Face Trials

09/16/20-10/01/20

Have you ever wondered what good stewardship entails and why it matters? A faithful steward does not allow pride, greed, or the desire to be popular taint his motives. He will not be lured or tempted into disobedience. That’s why, Paul explained in 1 Thessalonians 2, his message was true to God’s instruction. His motives were pure toward God—and toward the Thessalonians. All of his actions and methods were open and aboveboard.

Why did Paul think it necessary to underscore the obligation he felt as a faithful steward of the Gospel? Because stewards are sometimes tempted to go into business for themselves. Many people today are exploiting the Gospel for personal gain. They live in big houses and fly in private jets, purchased by people who give sacrificially to their organizations. Paul could have profited from the Gospel as well, but he wanted the Thessalonians to know that his motives were pure and the Gospel he preached to them was untainted by greed or the ambition for fame.

You and I are stewards as well. Like Paul, we have been entrusted by God with the Good News of Jesus Christ, and we need to manage this precious asset with absolute integrity and purity. We need to share the Good News with everyone around us.

We are stewards of our finances, which God has entrusted to us. We are stewards of our time, which He has entrusted to us. We are stewards of the Gospel, which He has entrusted to us. We are stewards of all that we are and all that we have. We own nothing, not even ourselves. We have to give an account to the Master. And He is coming soon.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the high calling of stewardship You have given me. Help me to stay focused on You and to bring all aspects of my life into submission to You. May I steward the resources You have given me with integrity so that my witness is not tainted. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10).

*Excerpt adapted from Fearless Living in Troubled Times by Michael Youssef © 2017. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.