This piece by the grace of God will bring us closely to an interaction with a subject matter the Holy Spirit has inspired me to write about. It has blessed me immensely and I believe it will bless you too. The reason why it is very important we pay close attention to this subject under discuss is because our rising, our greatness or arrival at our leadership destination, our authority in leadership at every sphere of influence we are allocated to by God rises and falls of this; “The consciousness of faithfulness.”

 

 

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4:1; “Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” This is where I would like to build a background into the thoughts the Holy Spirit has laid in my heart. I beseech you to read through patiently with an open heart.

 

 

The Scripture we read in the first two lines of this paragraph used certain words that is important for us to have a close look. It says ‘let a man so consider us’; It is also the same as let a woman so consider us, let a people, a race, a generation, a tribe or tongue or kindred so consider us as what? It says ‘as servants of Christ’. I would like us to note that word; servant. Then it says “and stewards of the mysteries”. My emphasis won’t be on the servant, but on stewards. The reason is because as much as I try to write on servanthood, the Holy Spirit is redirecting my attention to stewards.

 

 

You will notice here that Apostle Paul didn’t stop with servant, if he did, we would assume that the only requirement or posture we need is for us to have the consciousness or mindset of a servant. But I noticed the use of the word “and” which means in addition, we are stewards. So, He said we are both servants and stewards. Who is a servant? And who is a steward? And what is the difference between the two? A servant is one who serves another providing help in some manner. He could either be bond or free. Apostle Paul most times refers to himself as a bond servant of Christ. Meanwhile a steward is a person who manages or one put in charge of a property, an empire, an event, an estate or affairs for another entity. A servant does not enjoy certain degree of rights or privileges but not so with a steward. Only on rare cases where a servant is required to do the job of a steward.

 

 

These two definitions gives us an understanding into what Apostle Paul meant when he said “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of Christ”. This is what the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to while I beheld this Scripture. Servanthood is the prerequisite to stewardship. I am sure you would be saying but servant and stewards are the same. No, they are not. I thought so too. At least in the context of this conversation. This verse says “servants of Christ Jesus.’ So, until you are a servant of Christ Jesus you cannot be a steward of the mysteries. What is a mystery? A mystery is a secret or something unexplainable. It is a truth behind events or occurrence or happenings understandable not by the application of human reasoning alone but with divine aid. It is usually obscure or puzzling in nature.

 

 

Remember what Jesus said; he said to those outside it has not been given. But to you It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom. So, if you are a servant in the kingdom you will know the mysteries of the kingdom. But if you are a steward in the kingdom, you will not only know, you will be entrusted with the mysteries of the kingdom, you will be a custodian or one who diffuses or dispenses from the source.

 

 

So, the law was entrusted to Moses upon the mount. These are privileges entrusted only to servants of God. But for stewardship; until you become associated with Christ and wholly given to His assignment, you not be given the opportunity to look into or behold the perfect law of liberty. I know this is a little bit confusing but I pray the Holy Spirit gives understanding. What I am trying to juxtapose is this; The law and Moses became one so much so that the Bible says when Moses is read. So, Moses knew the ways of God, He knew how the law came and how it was scripted. But not so with sons, by the virtue of what christ has done, He brought us to become partakers of light. At this point I will be bold to say that while servants know the letters, the sons, the stewards know the Spirit behind the letter. That is a little bit of digress.

 

So, the prerequisite to becoming a steward of Christ is first becoming a servant of Christ and staying faithful to Him. Although you are a servant of Christ, the ultimate goal is not to be a servant but a friend. Another word we could use in place of stewards is sons. Jesus at some point said to His disciples; I no longer call you servants but friends. Because a servant does not know. Did we see that? He said a servant does not know what the master is doing. So, mysteries can only be entrusted to stewards and friends or sons.

 

Having established this background, verse 2 then says; “Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

 

 

In servanthood faithfulness, diligence, hard work, excellence and routine is required but in stewardship, the sole requirement is faithfulness. All other requirements mentioned in servanthood applies also, but the fundamental requirement is faithfulness. How did I know that?  Apostle Paul didn’t say it is required in stewards that a man be found to be diligent, hardworking or obedient. He said it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

 

This is the crux of my discuss. Look at what Genesis 39:4 says; “So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. I would like us to note that word “and served him”. See the word that followed next. It will marvel you. It says; “Then he made him overseer of his house”, This is no longer servanthood but stewardship. The latter experience of being made an overseer didn’t come before service. But because he served, it qualified him for stewardship. At this point what is required of Joseph is faithfulness. It says; and all that he had he put under his authority.” This is no longer an address to servants but to stewards. This means that the steward had some degree or level of authority bestowed upon him. Then verse 6 of the same chapter says; “Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.”

 

 

Imagine the master not knowing what he has, but Joseph knows. At this point or at this level of stewardship it is not about man any longer but God. You are only answerable to God. That was why it was important for us to probe why apostle Paul said it is required in stewards’ faithfulness. So, how was Joseph able to prove his faithfulness? Verse 8 says; “But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. Then he said in verse 9b “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Did we see God in the consciousness of Joseph? Yes! The consciousness of faithfulness in leadership is what distinguishes leaders. And the consciousness of faithfulness is the operation of the Spirit of the fear of the Lord.

 

 

So, what is faithfulness? Faithfulness means a state of allegiance, loyalty and fidelity. So, when Jesus was saying no man can serve two masters at the same time, He was talking about faithfulness. Faithfulness means constancy; the quality of trueness, dedication and commitment to one and to something or to an entity. Faithfulness talks about being deliberately resourceful. Faithfulness is to be full of faith; believing in a course, a vision, a pursuit with an undivided attention. Faithfulness is one vital requirement we need in our leadership and relationship as we journey or prepare for destiny fulfillment and should never be taken for granted. It forms and informs the basis for rewards in the kingdom. It is the character required to be exemplified, expressed or manifested between your dream or vision and the actualization of that dream or vision. What do I mean? It is not enough to dream big, or have a great vision or know that you would be great. If faithfulness is missing or lacking even God would find it difficult to make that dream a possibility. Even when your dreams becomes a fulfilled, you still require faithfulness to sustain and maximize your relationship with GOD.

 

 

Hence in addition to faithfulness the fear of the Lord is very important. The reason why you can be faithful is because you fear God. And because the Spirit of the fear of the Lord is at work in you, therefore, faithfulness becomes a ladder, a channel, through which God lifts, elevate and establish you. We saw the example of Jospeh. Let me put it this way. Your promotion or demotion is a function of either your faithfulness or unfaithfulness. It is the basis for good and faithful servant, enter into my rest. So, we must all labor to enter into that rest. How do you labor? By walking in faithfulness.

 

 

So, when you are faithful in the little, more will be added to you. And until you are faithful with a city with a talent, more city or talent won’t be added.

 

It is on the basis of  this that Jesus was described as the Faithful and true witness. It is a nature of Christ, a fruit that every believer must manifest and exemplify. Bible says; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Did we see that?  Just as God is faithful, he has made this ability available for us by His Spirit. In 2 Timothy 2 verse 12b-13, the Bible gave us this phenomenal character of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It says; “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; For God cannot deny himself.” This is why in numbers 23 for God is not a man that He will lie. In Hebrews it says it is impossible for God to lie. He is faithful, you should also be faithful.

 

 

So, as a leader, faithfulness is manifested or demonstrated in the following areas:

 

#. Number One: In followership. An example of faithfulness in followership is a statement Ruth said to Naomi; she said “where you go I will go, your people shall be my people.” Peter replied Jesus when the disciples were asked “will you also go?” He said to Jesus, “to whom shall we go?”  Elisha said to Elijah, “as surly as the Lord lives I will not leave you.” None of these people ended up as a nobody. But I could see through examples like Judas, Gehazi, Damas etc. Who where not faithful. God testified concerning Moses, he is faithful in all My house. It is one thing to be a servant or a steward for God, it is another thing to be faithful. The reward God gives to his servant who are faithful is called honor and more responsibility. Peter having followed Jesus for three and half years, Jesus said to Peter, do you love Me more than these? So, love is tied to followership and faithfulness. You are faithful to whom you love and it is on that basis that responsibility is committed to you. So, keep burning with love or return to your first love and you will not miss it in followership.

 

 

#. Number Two: Faithfulness is demonstrated in what you do. Bible says in whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. This talks about works and decisions. And whatever you do is an offshoot of what you have meditated upon. Bible says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. And that is why it is important to guard the heart. The heart must be guarded against anything that has the capacity to deflate your level of faithfulness. The Bible says we should cast down thoughts and imaginations and any high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

 

 

#. Number Three: Faithfulness is demonstrated in what you say. And what you say is a function of what you believe. As you believe you confess. This talks about your faith. Bible says when others are saying there is a casting down, others are rising to say there is a lifting up.  The 12 spies saw themselves as grasshoppers before the sons of anarch but others stood up to say we are able. There is a correlation between a man who is faithful and the words he speaks. And these words are often in alignment with their actions and willingness to do as they have said. The three Hebrew boys said our God is able to deliver us; even if He does not deliver us, we will not bow. And the fire couldn’t change their minds. If the presence of a fourth man whose form is like the son of man in the midst of the fire, you remain faithful and staying true to what you say and doing what you say.

 

 

#. Number Four: Faithfulness is demonstrated in who you are looking unto. This talks about your object of focus. The Bible says; looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. Peter’s walking on water is tied to him looking at Jesus and not the storm. Those who are faithful are not distracted by the glitters and glamors and the glory of this world. They know what they want and they live purposefully to actualize God’s intention for their lives. They are focused, their eyes is fixed on the price. So, they run like they want to win.

 

#. Number Five: Faithfulness is demonstrated in what you stand for and who you stand for. This talks about purpose and avoiding the crowd effect. It talks about principles, truth, justice and righteousness.  The quality of your life and leadership is a function of who you stand for and what you stand for. In this crooked and perverse generation, who we must stand for is Jesus Christ. What must we stand for? The words of Christ. Peter said to the authority, should we obey you or obey God for we cannot but speak of the things which we have both seen, heard.

 

Faithfulness should be the reason why you do what you do. Because, you fear God, and because He is the only one that can reward you. And as you stay faithful you are sowing a good seed.  Bible says; Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked whatever a man sows; faithfulness is what makes you sow well; faithfulness is the sowing ground for the future. Faithful is the vehicle, the transport system with which God’s packages are delivered.

 

As a steward you must understand that there is something such as enduring till the end. There is something such as being faithful to the end; not being faithful till the middle but to the end. That is where the reward is. I pray the Lord gives us the grace to be faithful till the end so that when He comes, He will find faith; find us continuing in the faith in Jesus name. Amen.

 

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Apeh Francis Abah!

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