I MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SAY THINGS like, “I USED to do such and such for God”. And I ask, “why the USED to?” Normally, they “used to” because someone offended them and they left their church. They “used to” because they got tired of people being mean. They “used to”, well just because they don’t want to anymore. My favorite: They “used to” because “God told me to stop”. I don’t buy it.
God has given us gifts for the Body that we are supposed to use until we die. There is no “used to”. The “used to” is death. “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Paul never stopped preaching even from prison and he died alone, with most people forsaking him. Yet he never stopped.
Your gift is not your own. You are only a steward of the gift. It belongs to the Lord and He has entrusted you with that gift’s care. You cannot do with it what you want. It is meant to bless others and bring glory to the Father. God expects you to use those gifts until death. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev 2:10
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” I Corinthians 4:2Oooh. There’s that word that keeps popping up again and again in the life of a saint. You must be found faithful. The unfaithful servant is given the title “wicked”. Jesus is returning for a faithful church. It is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
“Faithful” is translated in the Greek as one word in every single Scripture it’s mentioned and it’s defined as “trustworthy, sure, true”. It’s from a root word meaning “to have confidence in”; therefore it’s meaning is that God Himself finds you trustworthy and He has confidence in you. How marvelous is that! The Creator of the universe will one day say to His trustworthy people, “Well done good and faithful servant”.
The greatest thing about faithfulness is that it takes zero talent to be faithful. You don’t have to be highly intelligent and blessed with awesome traits. You don’t have to sing well, preach well, write well, or teach well. You just have to be found faithful. Can you rest? Of course, don’t be dumb. Rest and let God refresh you, but get back in there.
Stewardship is until the end. Be honest. What are you letting get in the way? Are you selfish with your time? Have you been offended? Get over yourself. You were an offense to God and therefore have no right to harbor an offense toward anyone. Are you letting pride get in the way? Humble yourself. Get planted at a local church and stop uprooting yourself every few years. You are destroying your ability to produce a good crop. The gift is still there, stir it up and use it for God’s glory! #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
