Thursday: Our Responsibility as Stewards
Wise stewards are defined by their willingness to accept and execute the moral principle of personal responsibility. Acceptance of personal responsibility is the choice we make and the actions we take. It recognizes the relationship between cause and effect. Willingness to accept personal responsibility is a key trait that cannot be ignored when we define what a steward is, for stewards must be single-minded in having the best interest of the Owner at heart. Hence, such willingness is a choice that defines the desired relationship a steward has with God.
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“God desires to bring men into direct relation with Himself. In all His dealings with human beings He recognizes the principle of personal responsibility. He seeks to encourage a sense of personal dependence and to impress the need of personal guidance. His gifts are committed to men as individuals. Every man has been made a steward of sacred trusts; each is to discharge his trust according to the direction of the Giver; and by each an account of his stewardship must be rendered to God.” – Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 176.
When we become stewards, we will not shift our responsibility to another individual or to an organization. Our personal responsibility is to God and will be reflected in all of our interactions with those around us (Gen. 39:9; see also Dan. 3:16). We will embrace the task at hand to the best of our abilities. Success in God’s eyes will depend more on our faith and on our purity than on intelligence and talent.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:10. How do we understand these words in the context of what it means to be a wise steward?
Theologians and philosophers have for centuries debated the difficult question of free will. But the Scripture is clear: we as human beings do have free will and free choice. The idea of being judged by our deeds makes no sense otherwise. Hence, we do have a personal responsibility, by the grace of God, to choose to make the right decisions in all that we do, which includes being faithful stewards of all our Master’s goods.
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Pleaae send to my web side so that i can read it where ever i go.And share to my friends God's words too.
I believe what may suit your needs is the email version of the daily lessons. You can subscribe at https://ssnet.org/email-lists/feed-options-email/
Thoughts on Stewardship
The counsels given on Stewardship - to consider everything we own (possessions and talents) as being on loan to us by God himself, and therefore to be used wisely and diligently to honor God and not our self - is good and Godly counsel. How is this addressed to the newly converted? Should the responsibility of Stewardship be levied on those who are just beginning to understand the message of the gospel and the person of Christ?
Stewardship is a natural outgrowth of one's relationship with God - we give our life and fortune in proportion to our love and commitment. True in our worldly relationships and marriage. And certainly true in regards to how much or little we think, or know, of Christ.
If Stewardship is a "fruit" of the Spirit - who can teach it? Paul talked about it a lot - as an evidence of love. Not saying that this study in Stewardship is inappropriate or unnecessary, on the contrary; just wondering from what perspective it is best viewed - and then shared with new Christians.
I would say that stewardship and all that this lesson put forth is to be shared not only with new Christians but also non Christians and also Christians of other "Christian Denominations," directly and insdirectly if you please.
I go to a gym and a gym buddy decided to tell me a dirty joke I told him that I did not like that joke because it contained things that referred to the most private parts of the body. He continued to respect me and be a good gym buddy. I have no idea whether he considers himself to be Christian or not or whether he is even a Christian of a certain Christian Denomination or not. But I have no doubts that this will lead to my talking to him about spiritual subjects in the future.
How wonderful that God, in His infinite wisdom, saw it fit to entrust the stewardship responsibility to us and not other creatures! Brethren let us not misuse or abuse this sacred responsibility for our vain and selfish interest. As a people who are made in His image, surely we ought to be faithful stewards
...As workers for Christ we recognize our personal responsibility. We don't shift our burdon upon organizations, rather we rely on Christ who is the source of all our strength. We do not depend on numbers or talent as much as we depend on pureness, and simplicity in faith. Shifting responsibility is not in our nature. We humbly work according to our ability. Desire of Ages, page 370...
So the best we as human being can do is love God and love neighbor as we want to be love. Now that is true responsibility.
Tau dear, I earnestly encourage you as I encourage myself not to take the patience of our Lord for granted even on matters of stewardship. Just as Peter puts it His greatest desire is to see that we come to repentance with genuine and contrite hearts - 2 Peter 3:9 refers. Please God help us to walk the talk
This was my thought for last Saturday's lesson and I am sharing it today also.
I believe God is more concern about "Man" rather than trees (materialism); therefore, we must cultivate moral and spiritual values within "Man". Just as trees are cared for so that they bring forth good fruit so to "Man" must be cared for to bring forth good fruit. Adam and Eve's failure to be good stewards contaminated their fruits, which is us, but now through Christ we can break that curse and cultivate in ourselves and others good Moral and Spiritual values that will bring forth good fruits unto the harvest of the lord. When we have achieved this "Man" will know how to take care of everything else. We need to plant and rare righteous "Men". God did not tell the trees to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his Righteousness" he told "Man".
God Bless