Ministers and Stewards of Christ

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

To understand our verses today, there are a few words that I am going to define from the dictionary.

A “minister” is “a servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.”

A “steward” is “a person who manages the property or affairs for a person or entity.”

There is one occupation that I can think of that sums up the words minister and steward, and that would be a butler. A butler is a servant and a steward, taking care of the needs of their employer, watching over the house and property, doing whatever is required of them.

And the last word, “faithful,” means “loyal; adhering firmly to person or cause. Having faith.

Reliable; worthy of trust.”

What are some examples of things that are faithful? One that comes to mind immediately for me are sports fans. A faithful/loyal fan will cheer for “their” team and no others. Whether the team has a great season or a bad one, a loyal sports fan will always root for their team.

Jesus told a parable about three servants who had received money from their lord, to use while he was away. “Occupy till I come,” he told them. He wanted them to use the money and make more with it. 

To each servant he gave a different amount. The first servant had received 10 pounds. Through trading, that servant gained another 10 pounds beside the original 10, so he now had 20. 

The second servant received 5 pounds. He also took his 5 pounds and traded with them, and doubled it as well, so he now had 10 pounds.

The third servant received one pound. But unlike his fellow servants, he did not use his money to earn more, but instead he put his pound into a napkin, and did nothing with it.

Eventually the lord of the servants came back from his journey. Calling his servants to him, he inquired of each of them how they had done with the pounds they had received. The first servant reported how he had done, and the lord commended him, and rewarded him for his faithfulness. The second servant likewise was commended and rewarded for faithful use of his lord’s money. 

But when the third servant was questioned, the lord became very upset with him, because he had done nothing with what he was given. He was not a faithful steward (servant). Because of his unfaithfulness, that servant was not given a reward.

Which was like what Paul wrote about in the verse today. As ministers and stewards of Christ, we need to be faithful with the things which we have been given. We have been given the word of God. 

More valuable than everything else combined, God’s word contains the information that we need to receive the reward of eternal life. And being faithful stewards of His word means that we keep it, and do it. Like the verse that says to be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

Someone who hears God’s word, but doesn’t do it is exactly the same as that servant who did nothing with his pound. Unprofitable, unfruitful, and unfaithful.

We have been given a treasure map that leads to the Kingdom. It is up to you if you are going to be a faithful servant of Christ, and follow it.

In Christ,

Andrew