Is there a better word than "stewardship" in describing our relationship to Jesus in His work of proclaiming the gospel "to every creature"?
Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark16:15).
(a) That command of Jesus requires that we support those who "go."
(b) That means, first of all, the giving of tithe--one tenth of our "increase" that the Lord gives us.
(c) It's not a legalistic assessment upon us; it's fellowship with Jesus in His work. It's working together with the Lord Jesus in His work of proclaiming the gospel "to every creature" "in all the world."
(d) That's the work that the Lord Jesus loves. A "steward" is someone who cares for property; the word "stewardship" can be understood to imply a legalistic connection with the Lord Jesus in His work of proclaiming the gospel to "every creature."
(e) But it's almost infinitely beyond that; you never get to really know someone until you get down working with him in digging the ditch; "stewardship" rightly understood is getting down in the ditch digging with the Lord Jesus; sharing His heart burden for the world.
(f) Jesus said "Go ye ..." and that requires that we support those who give their lives to "go."
(g) This particular writer tonight is one who obeyed the call "Go ye" in 1945, to Uganda in East Africa, to proclaim the third angel's message in verity to the people there.
(h) Now this writer is unable to "go" physically, but his heart is still there in East Africa.
(i) Your "going" may not be to Africa or any such romantic place overseas, but it may mean next door; or it may mean, teaching "the everlasting gospel" instead of legalism to children or youth in your local Sabbath School.
(j) If our hearts can be "enlarged" to comprehend the "breadth, and length, and depth, and height" of the love [agape] of Christ in the true gospel (cf. Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 119:32), the Holy Spirit will take over our ministry and our teaching; and everything we do for the Lord Jesus will bear eternal fruit.
(k) That will be a happy "stewardship," both for now and for eternity.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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