The Stewardship of Life

ROMANS 12:1, 2, 6-8

ONE who comes to a realization of the fact that by nature he is a sinner, alienated from God, and under condemnation to death, but that a way has been provided for him to return to God and live, knows that he should devote his redeemed life to the Lord. The Apostle Paul expresses the thought clearly, saying, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (II Cor. 5:14,15) In the opening verse of our lesson is an exhortation to live “unto him.” Paul writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

It is only through the merit of the blood that we are able to present our bodies a “living” sacrifice, for otherwise our bodies would be dead; that is, under condemnation to death because of adamic sin, hence could not be “holy” and “acceptable” to the Lord as a sacrifice. However, we have the blessed assurance, not only that we have been bought with the precious blood of Christ and therefore belong to the Lord, but also that in devoting our lives as “bond slaves” to our new owner, our sacrifice will be reckoned perfect and counted as a part of the “better sacrifices” of this present Gospel age.—Heb. 9:23

In devoting our lives to the Lord, however, it is essential that we “prove what is that good; and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” and conform ourselves thereto. Sacrifice, in order to be acceptable to God, must be in keeping with the divine will. It would be quite possible to sacrifice all that we have and are, yet not be acceptable to the Lord. For example, Paul wrote that we might give all our goods to feed the poor, yet if we have not love it would profit us nothing.

A faithful stewardship of our lives, therefore, involves giving proper attention to the directions given us in God’s Word as to the manner in which acceptable sacrifice may be offered. We are not to be conformed to this world. The selfish pleasures of the world, and its grasping after wealth and fame and power, should hold no attraction for those who are devoting their lives to God. Instead, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Old ambitions and habits of thought are to be replaced by the things of God—his plan, his work, the fellowship and service of his people, etc.

In principle, the will of God is the same for all his consecrated people, although it may vary in detail. This is particularly true with respect to the manner in which we serve the Lord. The apostle mentions it as our having “gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.” These “gifts” are not necessarily the miraculous ones bestowed upon some in the Early Church, but rather, what might be referred to as natural talents.

Even so, they are ours by the grace of God. Some have the gift of “prophecy.” This refers to the ability to publicly expound the truth. Certainly some are more gifted along this line than others. Those who are thus blessed have a special responsibility of using their talent zealously and along lines which God will approve, or, as Paul puts it, “according to the proportion of faith.” “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” writes the apostle, and this holds true in the use of the gift of prophesying as well as along other lines.—Rom. 14:23

The use of this gift, “according to the proportion of faith,” would mean that one would recognize, first, that any ability he might possess came to him as a gift of God, and that his use of it to proclaim the glad tidings should be only because of his great faith in the message and an unselfish desire to share it with others. The “proportion” of our faith might well determine the measure of our zeal in the use of the gift of prophecy.

If our ministry is along a more general line, then let us be faithful in the use of every opportunity we may have. Not all have the same opportunities of service, but each of us should be faithful in doing with our might what our hands find to do; and we are to do it heartily as unto the Lord.

Paul also speaks of the gift of “teaching.” This is closely related to prophesying, although not of such a public nature. Some are excellent teachers of the truth who are quite incapable of standing before an audience and publicly proclaiming the Gospel. In teaching, our audience may be only one, although it could be a sizable group.

If we have a talent for making the truth plain to others, then we should “wait” on this service, the apostle writes. Here the term “wait” does not mean to stand in idleness. The thought, rather, is the same as when we say that one “waits” on the table, denoting that he serves those who sit at the table. An efficient waiter is always alert and ready to furnish every service needed. So it should be with us in connection with every opportunity we have to serve the Lord and his people.

Some are particularly qualified to exhort others to faithfulness; and if that be our talent, we should be faithful in its use. Some make the mistake of trying to serve along lines for which they are not qualified, while neglecting the special field for which the Lord has given them a “gift.” It is an honor to serve the Lord and his people in any capacity, and we should zealously “wait” on any service which the Lord clearly indicates to be his will for us.

He that “giveth,” writes the apostle should do so with simplicity. Here is a test of our real sincerity in giving. If, when we make a donation to the Lord’s work, whether of money or goods, we do it in a manner to attract attention, and to impress the brethren with the thought of how much we are doing for the cause, it is doubtful if such a gift would be acceptable to the Lord.

While some are in a position to do a great deal in the service by their donations, this is a privilege which practically all can exercise, at least to some extent. The temptation is, however, to feel that unless we are financially able to donate large sums to the work, we should not give anything. But it is well to remember Jesus’ Parable of the Widow’s Mite.

“He that ruleth, with diligence.” The reference here seems to be the same as that of “governments” in I Corinthians 12:28. In I Timothy 5:17 the apostle speaks of “elders that rule well.” These texts indicate that in the Early Church there was a considerable measure of law and order, and that some held managerial positions—not to Lord it over God’s people, but to see that the affairs of the church were kept on an orderly basis.

Only when an individual is working absolutely independently of all others can he be free to do things exactly as he prefers. If two persons work together, then there is the necessity of co-operation, and both cannot have their own way. The larger the number who work together, the greater the need for organization, and for each individual to be willing to yield his own preferences and to co-operate with those who are directing the effort. Individuality can be expressed in performing efficiently and faithfully the tasks we are assigned to do.

To rule with “diligence” does not mean to be a dictator. The thought is, rather, that if we are assigned a position of responsibility in directing some phase of the church’s work we will be zealous in the performance of that duty, seeing to it that the work is properly done, and at the same time manifesting a kindly and understanding attitude toward those who co-operate with us in the effort.

All of the Lord’s people should exercise mercy in their dealings with one another, and Paul says that this should be done with cheerfulness. God delights to extend his mercy toward us, and we are to be like him. Indeed, it is only as we are like him in this respect that we can expect mercy from him; for Jesus explained that unless we forgive those who trespass against us, neither will the Heavenly Father forgive us our trespasses.—Matt. 6:14,15

II CORINTHIANS 8:3-5

FAITHFULNESS in one’s stewardship as a Christian involves readiness to sacrifice material means in caring for our brethren in Christ who may be in need. In this passage, Paul is reminding the Corinthian brethren of this, and holding before them the example of the Thessalonian brethren who had contributed so liberally to the fund which the apostle used to supply material needs to the famine stricken brethren in Jerusalem and vicinity.

Paul says that the Thessalonian brethren gave beyond their power, and that they entreated him to accept this gift, which apparently, to some extent at least, had impoverished them. They had given themselves to the Lord, he explains, and realizing that they belonged to him, it was but logical that they should want their all used in the service of his people.

PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30

Regarding Epaphroditus the apostle wrote, “For the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life.” In this we have a description of a Christian who was faithful in his stewardship of life, and the essence of it is that he did not regard his life, or did not consider seriously whether or not what he was doing to serve Paul, as the messenger of the Philippian church, might be detrimental to his health, or possibly cost him his life.

God appreciates those who make financial sacrifices in order to forward the interests of his kingdom, and he also appreciates those who give their time and strength in his service. Epaphroditus perhaps did not have much in the way of money he could use in the service, but he was able to give his time, and was glad to represent the Philippian brethren as a messenger to carry a gift from them to supply the needs of Paul while he was in a Roman prison. And from the way Paul writes, this service almost cost Epaphroditus his life.

Paul appreciated the service rendered by this messenger of the Philippian brethren, the more so probably because he found in him one like unto himself in his willingness to lay down life itself in the service of the Lord and the brethren. Many years before this, while on the way to Jerusalem, Paul was warned by the Holy Spirit that bonds and imprisonment awaited him there. His brethren advised him not to continue the journey, but Paul replied, “Neither count I my life dear unto myself.” (Acts 20:24) This was the spirit of Epaphroditus, and it is the spirit of all truly consecrated followers of the Master, who are faithful to their stewardship.

QUESTIONS

What does it mean to present our bodies a living sacrifice to the Lord?

Upon what basis is our sacrifice acceptable to God?

How may we be sure that we are devoting our lives to the Lord in an acceptable manner?

Are all the Lord’s people expected to serve him in the same way?

What are some of the various avenues of service?

Is God pleased to have his people make sacrifices in his service which might impoverish them?

Was Epaphroditus over-zealous in risking his life to serve the Apostle Paul? Did he fail to exercise the “spirit of a sound mind”?

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