GOD’S STANDARD FOR STEWARDS

“Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” I Cor.4:2

The great thing about the one thing God requires from every Christian is that it’s something we can all do. Although we don’t all have the same talent, experience, obligations or opportunities, we can all be faithful.

Faithfulness requires different things from different people. It’s doing the will of God, the best you can, with what you’ve got, where you are. God doesn’t expect the same from a person confined to a nursing home as He does from those who are young, healthy and able – because we’re all different. We don’t have the same ability and opportunities. However, regardless of our situation we can and should faithfully discharge our duties to the best of our ability.

We aren’t in competition with others. Doing something better than someone else doesn’t make you better. If you do the will of God fully, cheerfully and lovingly you are considered faithful and rewarded accordingly. And since that is all God expects we should be satisfied with it – whether in regards to self or others. If it’s good enough for God it’s good enough.

Expecting more than one’s best is not only unfair it is counter productive. Many are greatly discouraged and reluctant to even try all because they can’t live up to their expectations – or those of others. But the fact is, faithfulness is all that matters. Absolutely nothing better could be said of a person than they are faithful. That is the whole of their duty and it encompasses the whole of one’s life. We are not truly faithful if we are only faithful in certain areas, Excelling in one thing doesn’t justify failing in another. We are to be faithful stewards of the Lord in everything.–HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

YOU CAN DO IT
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”— 1 Cor. 4:2

We can all think of things we can’t do – things we want to do and things that need to be done.  We have a desire, but regardless of how hard we try, we just can’t do it.  As discouraging as that can be, there is good news. In the first place it isn’t your duty to meet every need. Secondly,when it comes to what is most important,  you can do it!

When I say, “You can do it” I’m not talking “the little engine that could” mindset, or “the power of positive thinking.”  This is not a locker room pep talk before a big game nor a plea to “tie a knot and hang on.”  I’m talking about something every Christian can actually do, without a doubt.  And it’s not just “something” – it’s the most important thing.  Understanding this is of major importance.

Multitudes are greatly discouraged and many are guilt-ridden because they can’t do certain things.  Some have a great desire to do certain things for God, but they can’t.  Their limitations can be of various sorts – poor health, lack of talent, lack of funds, or lack of opportunity, but regardless of the reason they feel like a failure and are frustrated.  They know their desire is noble and they can’t understand why God doesn’t enable them to fulfill their dream.

If that describes you, please consider this.  Regardless of what you can’t do, when it comes to the most important thing in life – “You can do it!”  It doesn’t make any difference how old, poor, weak or uneducated you are – you can do it!  You can be faithful to God! And no one can be faithful to God and a failure. You can’t be both. Every faithful Christian is a success in life!– HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

WHY?
“Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?”– Lam. 3:39
Without a shadow of a doubt the most common question is “Why?”–they never seem to end.We ask “Why this… me…now…etc. ?”We’re always wondering about something. But most of the time we ask “Why?” because of things that happen to us, rather than things that happen through us or because of us. Why? It would be more profitable if we asked “Why?” regarding our failures rather than our trials. Think about it.
We have a roof over our head, food on the table, a comfortable bed, and money in the bank, yet we find something to complain about. Why? We have been forgiven, saved from a devil’s hell. assured of heaven, and promised help until we get there, yet we complain. Why? Although we deserve nothing God’s grace has bestowed abundant blessings upon us, yet we complain. Why? We claim to love God, obey His commands, follow His counsel, and stand on His promises, yet we complain. Why?
Although we are Christians there is enough of the old sinful nature that remains in us that we keep complaining, because we’re not truly satisfied. Although we should be, it seems that we’re never content. We seem to be smitten with the disease of discontent and are chronic complainers. Why?
It isn’t because we deserve better, we don’t. It isn’t because God isn’t good, He is. It isn’t because we can’t conquer it, we could. God has provided everything we need to do everything we should. It is He who works in us “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13), and He says, “do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil. 2:14). If you don’t think that’s important consider the next verse–“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” To think that God would use us in such an important work should motivate us to appreciate what God gives, appropriate what God provides, accept what God allows, and act as God demands.– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

ALWAYS TRUSTING
“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”– Luke 24:21

I have always felt so sorry that in that walk to Emmaus the disciples had not said to Jesus, “We still trust”; instead of “We trusted.” That is so sad—something that is all over.

If they had only said, “Everything is against our hope; it looks as if our trust was vain, but we do not give up; we believe we shall see Him again.” But no, they walked by His side declaring their lost faith, and He had to say to them “O fools, and slow of heart to believe!”

Are we not in the same danger of having these words said to us? We can afford to lose anything and everything if we do not lose our faith in the God of truth and love.

Let us never put our faith, as these disciples did, in a past tense—“We trusted.” But let us ever say, “I am trusting.”—Streams in the Desert

Regardless of your situation it is never reasonable to give up on God. It is only through faith that we are able to please the Lord (Heb. 11:6). And pleasing Him never ends in disappointment!–HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

ACCEPTING WHAT GOD ALLOWS
“Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?“Ecc. 7:13

An unknown writer said, “Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour.

It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power.

He will not only deliver you; but in doing so, He will give you a lesson that you will never forget, and to which, in many a psalm and song, in after days, you will revert. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has.”

Far too often we trouble ourselves by entertaining unrealistic expectations of how life should be. We think things would be better if God made our path more pleasant and our life easier. But, God knows better! He gives us what we need rather than what we want–even when it hurts.  But in that great day when all things are made clear we will confess that He has made no mistakes. The fact is, we would want the same thing for ourselves that God wants for us were we as wise as God. Until then we must live by faith.–HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346