How can we apply the principle of stewardship from Nehemiah 7:60 in our lives? Seeing Stewardship in a Single Sentence “The total number of the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants was 392.” – Nehemiah 7:60 Why This Census Matters • Each servant is named, counted, and valued. • Their role supports worship, even though they aren’t in the spotlight. • God records ordinary people because their ordinary faithfulness matters to Him. Principles We Draw Out • Stewardship begins with identity: we belong to God, so everything we manage is His (Psalm 24:1). • Stewardship is measured by faithfulness, not fame (Luke 16:10; 1 Corinthians 4:2). • Stewardship has a generational ripple effect—the “sons of Solomon’s servants” show the next generation stepping into service. Living It Out Today Time • Schedule the Lord first: daily Scripture, weekly gathering (Hebrews 10:25). • Guard margins for rest; servants who burn out can’t keep serving well (Exodus 20:8-10). Talents • Identify the skills God has entrusted to you—administration, teaching, hospitality, craftsmanship. • Use them “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11). Treasure • Budget as a steward, not an owner. • Set aside a first-fruits gift (Proverbs 3:9), then plan generous giving beyond that as God enables (2 Corinthians 9:7). Testimony • Keep a record of answered prayers and faith steps; it encourages others just as Nehemiah’s list encouraged returning exiles. • Share stories of God’s provision to show what faithful stewardship looks like in real life (Psalm 145:4-6). Teamwork • Join a local church ministry; the temple servants remind us that God’s work is never a solo project (Ephesians 4:16). • Support and celebrate behind-the-scenes roles—sound techs, nursery workers, facility teams—because invisible service is still indispensable (1 Corinthians 12:18-22). A Steward’s Heart Checklist □ Am I treating my calendar, abilities, and possessions as God’s property? □ Can others count on me the way Nehemiah could count on his 392 servants? □ Would the next generation see a pattern worth repeating? Faithful servants were counted in Nehemiah’s day; faithful servants are still counted today. May our lives, like theirs, be recorded as evidence of steady, God-honoring stewardship. |
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