The same process used to evaluate time must then be made in other areas of our lives. The use of “my” money should be consistent with my Master’s interests. I need to ask, not only, “Does this service my needs and pleasure?” but also, “Does this please my Master?”
Reviewing the major purchases of this last year, we must realize that everything bought really belongs to our heavenly Master. Would our larger investments of the past year please God? Does our regular frittering away of pin money bring credit to His plans? Have I ever budgeted with Him in mind? Are the allocations of my finances under His approval?
Christ speaks of this in Luke 16:11:
“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (in regard to money) who will entrust to you the true riches?”
Once we have learned to be stewards on an individual basis, we must begin to consider the corporate implications of servanting. Not only did Christ teach the discipleship of the steward/slave, He expected us to be servants one to another. Our ministry is to be understood in terms of this brand of servanthood.
When the wife of Zebedee requested positions of honor for her sons in the future kingdom, it raised indignation among the other disciples. Jesus used this opportunity to teach them about leadership through serving. Note these words from Matthew 20:25-28:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The last evening of His life He performed a dramatic role-play to ensure that they wouldn’t forget this hard-won idea. Binding a towel around His waist, He assumed the responsibility of the household slave and washed the dusty, traveled feet of the disciples. The Apostle John records this incident in John 13:15 and 16:
“For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.”
We all know we are to be servants one of another, but making this head-truth a heart-truth is another matter.
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Award-winning author Karen Mains continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Karen has long had an interest in Christian hospitality and is the author of the best-selling book, Open Heart, Open Home.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. The are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and churches at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
