How can we fulfill our God-given stewardship like Paul in Colossians 1:25? The Verse in Focus “I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God.” (Colossians 1:25) Paul’s Pattern of Stewardship • “Servant” – He saw himself under Christ’s authority, not his own (Romans 1:1). • “Commission God gave” – A trust assigned by the Master; not self-appointed (Acts 9:15). • “Fully proclaim” – No selective teaching, but the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). What God-Given Stewardship Looks Like for Us • Recognize the Owner: Everything—time, talents, treasure—already belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). • Accept the Assignment: Each believer is entrusted with specific gifts and opportunities (1 Peter 4:10). • Guard the Message: Preserve pure doctrine, refusing to dilute or distort truth (2 Timothy 1:13-14). • Proclaim the Full Word: Share both grace and truth, the comforting promises and the hard warnings (2 Timothy 4:2). • Serve the Body: Stewardship is exercised primarily for the good of Christ’s church, just as Paul labored for the Colossians (Ephesians 4:11-12). Essentials for Faithful Stewardship 1. Faithfulness over flashiness (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). 2. Dependence on the Spirit, not human strength (Galatians 5:25). 3. Endurance amid hardship (Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 2:3). 4. Humility that keeps Christ, not self, at center (John 3:30). Practical Daily Steps • Begin each morning by yielding your schedule to the Lord. • Set aside consistent time to read and meditate on Scripture so you can “fully proclaim” it. • Identify one gift or resource you can deploy for someone else’s spiritual good today. • Speak the gospel naturally in conversation, trusting God for the results. • Review the day at night, thanking God for every opportunity and confessing any negligence. Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Luke 12:42-43 – The faithful manager is blessed when the Master returns. • 2 Corinthians 5:20 – We are ambassadors, entrusted with a reconciling message. • Philippians 3:13-14 – Press on toward the goal; stewardship is a lifelong race. The Promised Outcome When we imitate Paul’s stewardship—serving, obeying, and proclaiming—the church is strengthened, the lost hear truth, and we will “receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). |
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