“In this case, moreover, it is required [as essential and demanded] of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2 (AMP)

Stewardship is the responsibility of every leader and minister in every capacity available. God has committed His gifts and people into the hands of men that they might be managers of the manifold wisdom of God to bring the counsel of God to His people and ensure that they are focused on Him only.

Stewardship means management, and it also entails representing One in the presence of men. Faithfulness is an hallmark of a good steward that cannot be overlooked. Every leader of God’s people has been ordained and anointed to represent God in the presence of the people and to lead them to God. Without fail, such person must understand that, the focus must always be God.

So, the question does not start with how many you have been called to lead. It begins with, the one person that has been committed to you to lead, are you accurately representing God to him? Many stewards have positioned themselves to replace the Owner and this is an aberration that is unfortunate in many Christian circles today.

Dear believer, in whatever capacity you have been called to lead, your faithfulness starts from always pointing your followers to God. You must live the kind of life that shows them God and not the kind that makes you their god. If those you are leading fear you more than they fear God, then the problem is already that you have been a god to them all the while God had been relegated to play second fiddle.

God wants you to faithfully represent Him such that those you lead will still follow the Lord even in your absence. And this us actually the point. It is not about their spiritual fervency when you are present with them, it is about who they and what they do when you are not with them. For there to be a balance, you must be careful how you lead. Do not replace God with yourself in the hearts of those you lead.

Reflections: How have I been stewarding God’s people? Am I a leader who shows God to the people in action and words and lifestyle? Will my followers still serve God in my absence?

Confession: I have been given the mind of Christ, so I live and lead with faithfulness and grace. I hold on to the Word of God and I live by it always. I accurately represent the Lord.

Related Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4

Bible Reading: Genesis 15