Today, our hearts turn to a cornerstone of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This divine act is a historical event and a transformational moment that directly impacts our lives today. The Scriptures, specifically I Corinthians 6:19-20 and I Peter 1:17-19, remind us that we have been bought with a price, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.
This profound truth, my friends, brings us to a realization: we are not our own. We are God's possession, stewards of the incredible life and resources He has entrusted us. In Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the talents, Jesus teaches us the importance of faithful stewardship. Each of us has been given talents, not for our benefit, but to manage on behalf of the Kingdom.
In Luke 16:10-13, Jesus speaks about the faithfulness required in stewards. He clarifies that whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. This is a call to integrity and faithfulness in all things, whether they seem significant or mundane. Our faithfulness in stewardship reflects our relationship with God, who has entrusted us with His work on earth.
As servants of the Lord, I Corinthians 4:1-2 calls us to be found faithful. Our service is not about seeking recognition or being served, as the world often tells us to pursue. Instead, as Mark 10:42-45 illustrates, Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. This is the model we are to follow, serving others and seeking only to please God, not to gain credit from men.
Colossians 3:23 and I Thessalonians 2:4-6 encourage us to work heartily, as for the Lord, not for human masters, knowing that it is from the Lord that we will receive the inheritance as our reward. Our motive for service should not be the approval of men but to please God. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking earthly rewards to laying up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Living out our stewardship, we are called to use our God-given talents, time, and treasure to further His Kingdom. I Peter 4:10 instructs us to use whatever gift we have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in various forms. This is how we show our gratitude for the precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our stewardship is a response to His resurrection, a testament to the life-transforming power of the Gospel.
As we reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the stewardship entrusted to us, let us remember that we are serving a risen Savior. He has called us to a life of service, not for our glory, but for His. Let us be faithful stewards, using all that we have been given for the advancement of His Kingdom, always mindful that we have been bought with a precious price.
In closing, let us seek to please the Lord in all we do, being faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God. Let our service be an act of worship, a response to the resurrection, embodying the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May we live each day with the knowledge that we are not our own but belong to God, bought with the precious blood of Christ.
Let us pray...
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