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Faithful stewards

By Prophet O. Azuka
19 September 2021   |   3:04 am
Faithfulness is a Christian attribute. In fact, it is supposed to be a virtue and a mark of true stewardship. Regrettably, it has become a scarce ‘commodity in the body of Christ

Azuka

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Faithfulness is a Christian attribute. In fact, it is supposed to be a virtue and a mark of true stewardship. Regrettably, it has become a scarce ‘commodity in the body of Christ. There is no trust among those who profess to be Christians. This is because Christians have allowed the corrupt system of the world to affect them. For instance, a typical Nigerian has a pattern of lifestyle, and when he asks such question as, ‘Are you not a Nigerian?’ he meant you should be in conformity with the corruption and the systems that are in vogue in town.

Generally, the systems of the world are corrupt, as insincerity, unfaithfulness and lies, among others characterise the world. Coincidentally, this is the world a Christian finds himself and God expects nothing but faithfulness. No believer who joins the systems of the world is justified in the eyes of the Lord. Heaven will disinherit anyone that manifests unfaithfulness. The Lord will withdraw His presence from a believer who lives a life of unfaithfulness. The Lord abhors unfaithfulness and will have nothing to do with those whose lives are tainted with unfaithfulness.

There are various areas Christians manifest unfaithfulness and tend to exhibit strange character. Some believers throw away their faith and conviction when it comes to financing. They are not faithful in handling money. They are ready to give up their salvation because of illicit gains that attract God’s wrath. Immorality is another canker that has destroyed so-called Christians. They give up years of labour and steadfast walk with the Lord at the altar of immorality. They are not faithful in standing with the Lord when it matters. Rather, they betray Him to His very face.

Christians should understand that they are not of the world. The world and the systems of the world are at cross-purposes with the demands of Heaven, and the world will surely pass away. They cannot endure forever. Therefore, Christians should tread with caution because everyone must give an account of his life and stewardship to the Lord. Christians are likened to the servants their master gave different talents in the scripture. Some were faithful, while some were unfaithful. The wise ones traded with what their master gave them and made profits. They proved their faithfulness and stewardship. The unfaithful servant did not do anything with the talent given to him. He received rebuke and condemnation from his master.

The Lord has a lot of blessings to lavish on His children, but unfaithfulness is the bane. When blessings are released, some will see it as an opportunity to showcase their unfaithfulness towards God and the Church. Selfishness comes in when prosperity ensues in the lives of some people. They will begin to manufacture reasons and excuses to justify their unfaithfulness. These are the reasons God is reluctant in releasing His blessings to His people because they are unfaithful and will forsake Him at the end.

Love of money is one of the problems of Christianity. It breeds greed and degenerates into backsliding. On the contrary, David and his people understood what faithfulness is all about. They knew that whatever they had belong to the Lord. They were willing to offer whatever they had towards the building of the house of the Lord. They gave lavishly and appropriated it for the work of God. They did not see the Lord’s blessings as their personal property; rather they gave it back to the Lord Who gave them graciously. David’s attitude in the first Chronicle is instructive, but very hard to see in churches today, where people, out of sheer greed, defraud the church.

Unfaithfulness and selfishness are twin brothers. Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar are examples of unfaithful and selfish leaders. The Lord exalted Nebuchadnezzar, but he lifted himself above God.

For further reading: Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 11:1; 4:16; 2 Thess. 3:7-9; John 8:46; 14:30; Isaiah 9:6-7; 2 Pt. 3:10-12; Gen. 19:28; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; Matt 25:14-30; Heb. 6:4-8; 1 Chron. 29:1-9; Jer. 27:1-7; Dan. 4:28; 1Kings 6:1-2.

He thought that all he had was by his strength; his soul was lifted up to his own destruction. Belshazzar on the other hand appropriated God’s wealth for himself. He forgot God and met his destruction. God should always be our priority in spending whatever He gave us as blessings. King Solomon demonstrated faithfulness in handling God’s wealth. When God prospered him with silver and gold, he, first of all, built God’s temple before he built his personal house, notwithstanding that he later deviated from the Lord’s clear instructions.

The Lord is calling back His church to faithfulness to enable them to take the Word of God to nations free of charge.

For further reading: Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 11:1; 4:16; 2 Thess. 3:7-9; John 8:46; 14:30; Isaiah 9:6-7; 2 Pt. 3:10-12; Gen. 19:28; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; Matt 25:14-30; Heb. 6:4-8; 1 Chron. 29:1-9; Jer. 27:1-7; Dan. 4:28; 1Kings 6:1-2.

You can fellowship with us @ Kingdom Power International Christian Praying Center, 65, Oluwatedo Road, Cele Road, Isashi, Ojo, Lagos State.

For details of our programme, visit us @www.kpicpc.org. You can also follow us live on Facebook @kpicpc & You Tube @ kpicpc.

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