By Pastor Dale Culbertson
Grace is something born-again believers are to handle and hold onto; it’s something we’re responsible for. Grace and truth come through Jesus and wherever grace is proclaimed, truth is revealed. So, as part of the Body of Christ, we’re responsible for how that grace is proclaimed, perceived and recognized.
God wants us to apply to others the same grace that was applied to our lives. To better understand how that can happen, let’s look at a couple of definitions: Charis is the word translated “grace.” It means God’s eagerness to use all of His ability on our behalf. Chairo is the root word of charis. It means to cheer, to have joy and to be well. Charisma is translated “gift.” It’s a portion of God’s grace being ministered to you or through you.
For example, I have a portion of God’s grace in me to pastor. When I minister words of knowledge or wisdom, I step into an arena that’s a gifting, a portion of God’s grace. People receiving those words are receiving a portion of God’s grace…that portion is to add to you what God has already done in you. God’s always wanting to add to your life.
Every portion of God’s eagerness to use all of His ability produces cheer, joy and His blessing on our behalf.
“Every portion of God’s eagerness to use all of His ability produces cheer, joy and His blessing on our behalf.”
We’re all stewards of that.
This is important because some people think when God does something for them there’s always attached to that some sort of unpleasant burden. God doesn’t want us to be burdened down, even if the message we’re receiving sometimes seems tough.
Everywhere we go we’re supposed to help produce cheer, joy, and blessing on people’s lives…we’re supposed to minister that. Whatever we’re doing should change people’s outlook for the better.
“As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as befits good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor.” – 1 PETER 4:10 (AMPC)
As a pastor, God has taken me and He’s poured out on me a gift…I’m supposed to take that gift and give it to you.” I’m supposed to steward it in such a way that when you leave a service, you’re not going, “I’m glad that’s over!” If I steward things correctly, you’ll come out saying, “Thank You Lord God! What a day we’ve had in Your presence. What a good thing You’ve done in my life! What you expect of me or want from me, it only gets better and better as the days go by!”
Part of being a steward, spiritually, is hearing and responding to God. Here’s an example:
One cold winter’s day, I was heading to church and praying what I should minister; and, I decided to stop at Garvin Park and pray awhile. While there, I saw a bunch of geese trying to land on the lake (which was partly frozen). Some came in and hit the water and then the ice, just tumbling over; others would slide on the ice then tumble into the water. I had to laugh. Nothing was gained by me except laughing; but once I got to the church, I ended up preaching a message that was much different than if I hadn’t had that experience.
One thing about being a good steward is that you appreciate the gift that has been given to you. Appreciate what God has placed inside you. Yes, it’s supposed to produce in you cheer, but it’s also to produce in those around you cheer and joy and God’s blessing in their life.
The word “steward” means “manager or overseer” but it’s more than that. It’s more than just controlling or maintaining; it’s about bringing increase and improvement (like a good fund manager does).
There’s an example in the Bible where a landowner talked to the land’s steward about a fig tree that wasn’t bearing fruit (Luke 13:6-9). “Cut it down” the owner said. But the steward encouraged, “Let me dig around and fertilize it for a year to see if I can get it to bear fruit.” A fund manager is looking for increase all the time. This is how we should be as well.
“So then, let us be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God. Moreover, it is essentially required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust]. – 1 CORINTHIANS 5:1-2 (AMPC)
Just as the Spirit of God says, “Do you trust Me?” one of the greatest things that can be said about you is that the Father trusts you. He trusted us enough that He asked His Son to die for us before we were even born. And He trusts us to be stewards of the mysteries of God. To people in the world it’s mysterious; but to us, we’re beginning to see some of those mysteries become alive and real. We’re starting to act on and function on that which we see. We’re starting to live out grace and hope and our new identity in Christ.
Recognize that others have been faithful stewards ministering messages to you that you’ve received. In the same way, become a faithful steward of God’s gift of grace. Just as receiving that gift changes you and brings blessings and provision in your life you had never dreamed possible, there is a world out there that needs to be changed and see that same blessing and provision.
Steward His grace!
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