1Co 4:1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1Co 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
1Pe 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
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| Hasti is the household manager at Mercy Ministries |
Hasti is our Household Manager. Well, actually, we call her the "Household Mama!" Just like a mama at home, she makes sure that the home runs smoothly, everything gets done that needs to get done from a logistics standpoint (groceries, cooking, outings, education, devotions, worship) and is a constant presence of love and support for our residents.
We are very blessed to have Hasti here - her integrity, authenticity, sense of fun, eye for the details and deep love for our residents is a gift to all of us here. I've asked her to share a bit of her heart with you below so that you can get to know her a bit better.
As the Household Manager I oversee the daily operations of the home. Previously, as a youth worker working for the government, I witnessed a band-aid approach to solving the hurts, abuse and the pain that the youth had encountered. I believe the main reason for this was because God was left out of the equation and that’s never a good thing.
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In the New Testament world the steward was the manager of the household or the estate. He was appointed by the owner and entrusted with keeping the estate running smoothly. Both Paul and Peter write with this meaning in view reminding us, WE ARE GOD’S STEWARDS.
The Responsibilities for the Estate are three-fold.
A. How we use our time.
Pastor David Jeremiah writes, “There is a gift which comes to us from a royal source each day of our lives, bright and sparkling, absolutely untouched and unspoiled. What is this gift? It is the gift of time - a fresh new supply of 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds.” Wow what a Gift!
Willmington p.714
B. How we use our talents.
See Matt 25:14-30;
Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
Luk 12:38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
Luk 12:39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
Luk 12:40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
1Co 7:7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Pastor Jeremiah says, “ 1. God has wisely given each individual a talent or talents to use for His glory.
2. What we do with what we have will be the basis of our judgment.
3. If we do not use our talent for God we will lose it.”
C. How we use our Money.
Our Pastor always says that we are given our time, our talents and our treasures to use for the glory of God.
In the NT there are 38 parables. Twelve of these are about money.
One out of every six verses in Matthew, Mark and Luke has to do with money. Because 100% of what we get comes from god, then we are responsible to use it all wisely and in accordance with God’s will. God is interested in not just a percentage but the whole picture. What we do with our treasure is important to Him. Pastor Jeremiah. in Willmington p.714
1. I must recognise that money comes from God.
Deu 8:18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Isa 55:1 "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isa 55:2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
3. I must refuse to substitute sliver for the Saviour.
Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
4. I must believe that God will graciously supply all my needs that I cannot honestly provide for myself. Amen.
Mat 6:31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Mat 6:32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
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| Don't be anxious but pray and believe God |
Php 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
5. Our Giving should be systematic and regular.
1Co 16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
Let every one of you - Let the collection be universal. Let each one esteem it his duty and his privilege to give to this object. It was not to be confined to the rich only, but was the common duty of all. The poor, as well as the rich, were expected to contribute according to their ability.
Lay by him in store - (παρ ̓ ἑαυτῷ τιθέτω θησαυρίζων par' heautō tithetō thēsaurizōn). Let him lay up at home, treasuring up as he has been prospered. The Greek phrase, “by himself,” means, probably, the same as at home. Let him set it apart; let him designate a certain portion; let him do this by himself, when he is at home, when he can calmly look at the evidence of his prosperity. Let him do it not under the influence of pathetic appeals, or for the sake of display when he is with others; but let him do it as a matter of principle, and when he is by himself. The phrase in Greek, “treasuring up,” may mean that each one was to put the part which he had designated into the common treasury. This interpretation seems to be demanded by the latter part of the verse. They were to lay it by, and to put it into the common treasury, that there might be no trouble of collecting when he should come. Or it may, perhaps, mean that they were individually to treasure it up, having designated in their own mind the sum which they could give, and have it in readiness when he should come. This was evidently to be done not on one Sunday only, but was to be done on each Lord’s Day until he should come.Barnes Notes
6. The Pleasure of Giving.
2Co 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.***********
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