Stewards of the Gospel

[featured_image]“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
– 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Paul recognizes that he is God’s servant and steward. God has entrusted Him with the mysteries of the gospel. Paul views himself and wants others to view him as one who serves AND one who stewards God’s mysteries.

In I Corinthians 2:7, Paul indicates that “we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery” (cf. Rom 11; 16:25-27). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are stewards of this mystery which is to be “made known to all the nations leading to the obedience of faith.”

As I have read and preached on these verses (1 Cor 4:1-2), I’ve emphasized that a steward must be trustworthy with all that God’s entrusted to him or her – time, money, talents, etc. However, the context speaks of the “mysteries of God.” To be stewards of God’s mysteries points to the reality that we’ve been entrusted with the gospel. This is not simply for our benefit, but essentially for the benefit of others.

God has not given us the gospel to simply be a receptacle or container for it. We are to be a conduit for whichthe gospel flows through.

God entrusts us with material goods which we must steward. Yet more importantly, we must steward the mysteries of the gospel. This means that we must both KNOW the gospel, LIVE the gospel, and SHARE the gospel with others.