Sabbath: The Results of Stewardship
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Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Tim. 3:1-9; Ezek. 14:14; Phil. 4:4-13; Prov. 3:5; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; Matt. 7:23; Matt. 25:21.
Memory Text: “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12, NKJV).
As stewards, we should live as witnesses of the God we serve, which means that we should exert a powerful influence on those around us, an influence for good.
Our story, then, is not to be isolated from the world around us. Instead, we are privileged to reflect a better way of living to those who don’t know the things that we have been given. Stewardship is the act of thriving while managing God’s call to live godly lives. God gives us the skill to live differently than any other lifestyle on earth (2 Cor. 6:17), and it is something that others should notice and even ask about. Hence we are told: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15).
This final lesson will look at the personal benefits, spiritual outcomes, successful results, our influence, and the key to contentment in the steward’s life, knowing that it is all about “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27, NKJV).
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 31.
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As stewards we should live as witnesses of the God we serve, which means that we should exert a powerful influence on those around us, an influence for good. How this resonates so well with what Jesus Christ said in Matthew:5.13
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Matthew:5.14
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. May God help us to remain salty and tasty to the world and especially the gentile world.
The King James says "Lovers of pleasure "more than" lovers of God." The translation used here says "...rather than" lovers of God. I checked the original Greek on this and the King James is right on. The original Greek allows for the pleasures that are approved by God. This translation comes across as though we must Deny all pleasure to be approved of God.
The KJV translates "mallon" as either "more" or "rather" throughout the NT. I have not done a count, but a quick check shows both translations being used. I think we can get the meaning of what is being said in this context from either rendering.
So, Maurice, are you saying that "rather means the same as "more than"?
All I am saying is the Greek word "mallon" is used about 80 times in the KJV. I have just done a quick check and the KJV uses "more" roughly twice as often as "rather". Other translations also vary in their use of the words. The message of this particular passage comes through irrespective of which wording is used.
And your understanding that there are some pleasures that are acceptable providing they are kept in perspective is quite correct. 2 Tim 3:4 is indeed about perspective.
Does the Bible not contradict itself when it says our good works are like filthy rags, while the memory text for this week talks about glorifying God by our good works?
The difference is perspective, Sammy. If we try to earn our salvation by doing good works then all that effort is wasted. Salvation is given by grace. If as a saved person, we do good works then they are the fruit of our salvation and give glory to God.
Wow now this is a very positive and interesting statement that is quoted often in the scripture.
Isaiah 64:6 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
6 All of us are dirty with sin.
All the right things we have done are like filthy pieces of cloth.
All of us are like dead leaves.
Like the wind our sins have carried us away.
Romans 3:10 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
10 As the Scriptures say:
“There is no one without sin. None!
All of this is true of the best behavior of believers and unbelievers. We see them everything.
We as human being are universally evil. All have sinned, but praise God, He sent a Savior named Jesus Christ. His righteousness is what we must have. Our righteousness is but filthy rags.
We see those so called Christians are very much like the heathen around them. They are depending on their own righteousness to save them, they would fall very short. Their righteousness was but filthy rags.
Based on scriptures we need Jesus Jesus gives all who will believe to give us His righteousness. So when we put on the righteousness of Christ, which puts us in right standing with God.
Sammy J, that reminds me of how the Apostle Paul says that no one can be justified by the works of the law and yet the Apostle James clearly states that Abraham was justified by his works when he obeyed God to go and sacrifice his son Isaac. These two statements are biblical and seem very contradictory to each other.
Good point you have raised Pete.
Much of christianity has gotten caught up in debating a point that actually isn't relevant. This is because people have focused on the visible 'works' and debated the role that such plays or doesn't play in salvation.
However, the core issue is the motivation behind the works that is the problem. If we are 'working' in order to build up credits with God such that we come to believe that God 'owes us', then we have a big problem. This was the situation for the Jewish religion that was typically practiced at the time of Jesus first advent. Ellen White affirms this point.
Because salvation is about the actual redemption and restoration of humanity back to the way it was before sin entered the world, there is a lot of working to be done. This working is God and us working together collaboratively. Hence Paul could advise us to 'work-out' (like we do when we go to the gym) our salvation (that is, actually make us of the aspects of salvation that God has made available to us for our salvation) with fear and trembling, for it is God who works within us to will and to do of His good pleasure (God gives us the power to undertake our work-out).
So, there is much working to be done by us in order to make the salvation that God has made available to us an actual reality in our individual life. We use the strength that God gives us to do our salvation 'work-out' and in so doing we progressively return to living in harmony with the divine nature as Adam did prior to the fall. This is just the necessity of actual restoration that God entered humanity to make possible. To repeat, it is only if we engage in this 'working-out' believing that by doing so we cause God to 'owe us' that it becomes a problem. Otherwise, it is just salvation reality.
Philippians 2:12-13 KJV
The "fear" referred to in Phil. 2:12 is not reverence for God but terror and dread that Paul is warning will be experienced when we try to "work out" (katergazomai = accomplish) our own salvation. It is the same word for fear used in Matt. 14:26 KJV; Matt. 28:4 KJV; Mark 4:41 KJV
This is in direct contrast to what follows in Phil. 2:13 KJV, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
So, Paul is saying "go ahead and try to accomplish your own salvation and you will shake with terror because it is God (NOT YOU) Who can save you."
Our "good" work is filthy (Isaiah 64:6) and God will expose it as such (Isaiah 57:12 CJB) "I will expose your [so-called] ‘righteousness’; and what you have done won’t help you.).
So the question we have to ask our self on a daily basis is what results in being a good steward? Some of the results is personal integrity, to love God and love others.
The introduction text saying that any one who look at the christian will notice God character of love...Another text is very interesting is
1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
11 Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business. Do your own work. We have already told you to do these things.
2 If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you. And you will not have to depend on others for what you need.
The last paragraph is the intro, talking about the Christ in you, is what it all about, so without the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in our life, that is the only way to be a TRUE WITNESS.
What exactly does the Apostle Peter mean by "the day of visitation"?
Hi Pete.
Peter's use of the term "the day of visitation" is basically his reference to the day of 'judgement' - however that concept is more misunderstood than correctly understood. It is more accurate to describe 'judgement day' as the day of revelation where everything will be seen in its true light in terms of the non-visible motives and intents of the heart that are behind the observable 'behaviours'.
Judgement day has most popularly come to be seen as a day when God will make a judgement call about people and their behaviour. However, He won't need to. Essentially, the evidence will speak for itself - hence a day of 'revelation' where what has been kept seemingly secret from other humans (but not from God) will be revealed or 'laid bare' so to speak.
Of course, judgement day has a dual application in that it is both the revelation of each person's true heart disposition and it is the revelation of God's nature, character and government in response to Satan's multi-dimensional allegations against God.
The discussion about our righteousness being like filthy rags, surly is not difficult to understand the reason for text. If one compares their own life with Christ' life, there would be no question about which of us is righteous. We often find application to Biblical texts, a challenge. Prayer for guidance of the Holy Spirit is always necessary.
PETE,
Since we live around with those who do not believe and disregard the Commands of the Lord, what we might say or do may look wrong to them. So we should live good lives. Then they will see the good things we do, and they will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.The idea is that the Gentiles might be persuaded to become Christians by seeing the lives of other Christians, and that they would glorify God when they meet Him instead of cowering before His holy judgment.
The book of Isaiah 10:3 gives us a clear explanation of the day of visitation: And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from afar? To whom will ye flee for help? And where will ye leave your glory?”