Stewards of the mysteries of God

The main subject of this chapter is that described by the title of our meditation - stewardship. Using himself and Apollos as the basis of his teaching the apostle covers some of the characteristics of the faithful steward.

In a general sense a steward was one to whom household affairs were entrusted. In spiritual terms it was one to whom spiritual affairs were entrusted. As such Paul emphasizes dependence, v. 1. Every servant of the Lord is a minister of Christ. The word for minister means ‘under rower’ and suggests subordination in service to Christ. Equally, a steward must be devoted, v. 2. Faithfulness is a requirement, not an option! As God has given us the responsibility so we answer to Him, ‘he that judgeth me is the Lord’, v. 4. A steward must also be disciplined, v. 3. We do not answer to human judgement nor do we operate in the light of ‘man’s day’, the present. The disciplined steward serves in the light of the day when he will answer to the Lord. He will ‘bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart’, v. 5.

Against that background the apostle explores the service of the Corinthians. What a contrast! They were marked by pride, v. 7. They were ‘puffed up’. Rather than appreciating that their gift was divinely bestowed they regarded it as a mark of honour. They were also distinguished by prosperity, v. 8. This is not a condemnation of wealth but a criticism of the value they placed upon the temporal rather than the eternal, and how their wealth had become allconsuming. They set themselves up as prudent, v. 10. Solomon said, ‘Be not wise in thine own eyes’, Prov. 3. 7, and yet this was their folly. They claimed power, v. 10. This was not spiritual strength but human strength. Finally, they sought position, v. 10. The glory and honour that might be bestowed by their fellow men was what motivated their service.

We can see that the Corinthian believers had much to learn about stewardship. However, Paul not only reminds them of what he had taught them but provided them with two examples - his own life and that of Timothy! What a challenge to be able to say, ‘Be ye followers of me’, v. 16!