StewardLife Lesson 6
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STORY:
Robert put out Speedy's food.
“What's wrong, mom?” Robert asked. “Speedy won't eat.”
“Could be that Speedy isn't feeling well,” replied mother.
Sure enough, when they took Speedy to the vet the next day, they discovered that Speedy indeed was sick.
The vet gave Speedy a shot and then gave Robert a prescription for some pills for Speedy.
“Animals are sometimes smarter than people,” the vet told Robert and his mother. “They don't eat when they are not feeling well. Not being hungry is a first sign that something is wrong. I'm glad you noticed it and brought Speedy in to see me.”
We usually eat more than once a day and more than one day in a row. If this is not
so, there is usually something wrong. We need the energy that food can give. The
activities of our day burn up our food. Without it, we'd have little energy to go on
from day to day.
When a Christian stops feeding on God's Word, it is a sign that something is wrong. We need the energy God's Word provides to lift our spirits and to walk the path he points out for us. Without it, there is little energy to go on from day to day.
Feed on God's Word daily and often.
STORY:
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
“I bet you had onions for lunch,” said a friend who passed by my desk. I don't have to wonder how she knew. I was suffering with the odor myself for an hour and a half before she made her comment.
“You are what you eat” a nutritionist once said. And, often, we smell like what we eat. I recall how cruel the kids were in my school class to one girl who came from a specific culture. They called her “Garlic Geraldine.” It wasn't her fault that her family had a diet rich in garlic.
Those of you who like asparagus or eat foods spiced with curry know how the odor becomes part of your system in a hurry.
When life stinks, it is often because of what we are feeding on. The Bible tells us that a godly life is one that is like a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
If we are feasting on what is displeasing to God, our lives can stink to high heaven. We can give off a spiritual odor to those around us that smells like lack of faith in God and disbelief in His promises.
If we are feasting, instead, on the Word of God, what we give off becomes a scent of faith and trust.
By living a life pleasing to God through Christ, we “spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” We become the aroma of Christ, who was in Himself an offering pleasing to God (Ephesians 5:2).
When life stinks, change your eating habits.
EXERCISE:
Think about the parts of the common table prayer and what it means for you as a manager of your life for others:
“Come, Lord Jesus…”
Is the invitation sincere? Do you really want Him hanging around? How will His presence change your life? How do you know He really will come?
“…be our Guest.”
A dinner guest will often bring a gift to the host. What does Jesus bring as a guest into your life/household?
“Let these gifts…”
How does Jesus do something spiritual with you that provides you with material gifts? God gives stewards all the gifts necessary to carry out His mission for them. What private, spiritual resources do you have that allow you to manage those gifts in your public life?
“…to us be blessed.”
What does it mean that others can “feed on”--be blessed by-- your spiritual fruit? (See Galatians 5:22-23)
STEWARDSHIP PRINCIPLES--PRINCIPLE SIX
God's stewards are loved and loving. God's stewards recognize that their stewardship flows out of God's act of love for them in Christ which empowers them, in turn, to love others in acts of Christ-like love. See 1 John 4:11,19; 1 John 3:16-18; John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 5:6b. We will use only those approaches, strategies and methods that reflect the Gospel and build up the stewards’ faith active in love. We will emphasize God’s love in Christ as the basis and motivation for Christian stewardship.
