| Our verse to DATE the Word on April 2 (4/2) is 1 Corinthians 4:2 |
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| 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” |
| REQUIRED to be Found FAITHFUL In the Word of God with its 31,102 verses, there are very few that DEMAND more of us than 1 Corinthians 4:2. Several words grab our attention starting with STEWARDS followed by REQUIRED and then FOUND FAITHFUL. The word steward speaks of one who has been assigned to manage the household. An owner of a home will ENTRUST another with MANAGING all that goes with running a home. Some of the work will be done by the manager but more often than not they will hire others to perform the duties. Those hired are then accountable to the steward and the steward is accountable to the owner. We are STEWARDS. God, our owner, has entrusted us with various duties. One of the ways we have sought to explain these duties is to list 5 key areas that have been entrusted to us. They are: TIME. TALENT. TREASURE. TEMPLE. TESTIMONY. Our verse tells us the STEWARD is REQUIRED. The word REQUIRED means to BE RESPONSIBLE with RESPONSIBILITIES. The Greek conveys there will be ACCOUNTABILITY as one has to ANSWER BACK. A steward has to ANSWER BACK to the OWNER for how what was entrusted to them was MANAGED. A great example of this is found in Matthew 25:14-30. This passage is known as the Parable of the Talents. In verse 19 you find this phrase the owner came to “settle accounts with them.” Those receiving the talents answered back with how responsible they were. Before we look at the last two words it is worth noting that the word “required” is used in another place. Jesus said that “to whom much is given much is REQUIRED!” (Luke 12:48b) What a challenge!! The level of expectation in being responsible as a steward is FOUND FAITHFUL. One of the best ways to get the full understanding of “found faithful” is to look at what the opposite would be. One would be found unfaithful. One would be unreliable. One would be irresponsible. It is dropping the ball. It is failing to finish. To be faithful is to follow through and manage well what was entrusted to you. When this happens you are able to hear from the Lord, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant;” Matthew 25:21 and 23. To be FOUND FAITHFUL is to FINISH. As Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” To be FOUND FAITHFUL should be the goal of each believer. Verse to DATE the Word on April 1 (4/1) is 1 Corinthians 4:2. It says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” BTW – From this verse comes my personal mission statement: I want to be found faithful in fulfilling my God-given responsibilities. Continue Strong being FAITHFUL with what God has entrusted to you. And remember to DATE THE WORD |