August 6, 2006
PAUL THE STEWARD
1 Corinthians 4:1-2

   "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:1-2).
   What is a steward? We used to have them on railroad trains, and even on ocean liners as well. We still have such people doing these jobs called by various names, but was Paul one of these? While Paul was the servant of all he was far more than a baggage handler. The basic meaning of word steward is a "dispenser" or an "administrator." It describes one who manages and oversees the property or wealth of another.
   The Bible gives examples of stewards: "There were stewards, "faithful and wise," a certain "rich man, who had a steward," and "Erastus the chamberlain [steward] of the city." These were all administrators of property or possessions belonging to others. They were to dispense the wealth according to the dictates of those they served. It is easy to see that "faithfulness" is the chief virtue of a steward. It matters little what or how a steward thought things ought to be done. He was to carry out the wishes of the one he served.
   Paul was just such a steward. God had revealed to him the riches of His glory and grace in a very distinct and specially new way. Never before had God told any of His other esteemed servants or prophets anything about the secrets or "mysteries" He revealed to Paul. Having been therefore entrusted with such treasures, Paul had a duty to "make known the riches of His grace." This was Paul's stewardship. This was his administration, that is, this was the new program God had commissioned him to manage. No wonder he said, "necessity is laid upon me" (1 Cor. 9:16). If Paul alone had been given this revelation no one else could make it known! "A dispensation of the gospel in committed unto me" (1 Cor. 9:17).
   Our stewardship today is in a secondary sense, for we are also to promote and make known that same administration of God's riches and grace that He had given to Paul. Let us labor as he did to make it known!

Ivan L. Burgener