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Galatians 3:15-25
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at -Tunes. Often today people use the terms “stewardship” and “tithing” interchangeably. Lewis Sperry Chafer defines stewardship directs the Christian in matters of receiving, earning and spending.” The fundamental difference between OT tithing and NT principles are grace. Law in its simplest form says, “do/don’t do this or die.” Grace says, “all activity in the life of the redeemed originates from agape love out of desire to obey the God Who saves.” The NT uses three words that explain stewardship.
- TRAINING AND DISCIPLINE. Read Gal. 5;21-25. In verse 24 Paul used the Greek word for “ trainer.” A slave was often put in charge of training and disciplining the master’s children. The salve didn’t educate the children, he taught them how to apply their education to life. In Galatians, Paul is telling us the Law was the “authority” over us to teach us we had no hope of a right relationship with God because of our sin. Because Christ had no sin nature He (alone) was able to live a life of sinless perfection that met all God’s requirements for redemption. One important truth here is He did it out of desire, not demand. The life truth for us as Christians is that now we are the “trainers” to the lost to teach them salvation through Christ is the only way for them to have that same right relationship with God. NT stewardship also involves
- TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS! Read Gal. 4:2. The “tutors, or stewards, or trustees” were usually responsible for oversight of the master’s estate. The application of the word is explained in Gal. 4:1-7. As God’s redeemed children we are now responsible for the care and oversight of God’s “salvation estate.” In this life we are to grow into spiritual adults that oversee/manage God’s estate in such a way as to make it prosper. The primary part of that estate is the salvation message and lifestyle! NT stewardship also requires we are
- TREASURERS AND DEPUTIES. Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. In our language the “ultimate honor” for a slave was to be recognized by his master as worthy to be given charge over everything about his master’s estate including all financial matters. Joseph would have held such a position in Potifer’s house. One important truth to note is that will all the trust, freedom to act, and responsibility the slave had, he remained a slave and owned nothing! Peter is telling us we are God’s trustees and directors of not only physical and fiduciary matters, but administrators and deputies of His amazing, salvation grace. Notice in verse 7 Peter tells us we must be clear minded (think straight) and self-controlled to hold our high position. So the question is: how do you see your daily life as a Christian? Have you grown in your spiritual life to the point you understand you are a bond-slave (willingly a slave to Christ) serving in God’s house (Church)? Do you have the awareness that as such you are also His steward over His estate? You are aware, aren’t you, that with such awesome freedom and honor comes accountability and responsibility for which we will all give account! Think about all that!
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