Striving To Be Faithful

1 Corinthians  4:1-2, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

According to the Apostle Paul, two things were to be accounted for, and then one action was required.  He wanted people to conclude that he was a minister of Christ and a steward of God's revelations to him.  The word "mysteries" in verse one, speaks of a Biblical truth initiated by God into the life of His divine messengers.  Paul had received these truths particularly in those areas concerning God's will and desire for Gentile people, and their inclusion as part of the body of Christ.  Jews and Gentiles enjoyed the same redemptive standing in Christ, and therefore enjoyed common blessings and acceptance.   

Every believer should view himself as a minister of Christ, and also a steward of things pertaining to Christ.  God is no longer giving canonical revelation, as He did in Paul's life, but He still deems it essential that you be both a minister and a steward of things pertaining to God.  The action God requires for ministers and stewards is that we be found faithful.

*Clarence Jordan was a man of unusual abilities and commitment. He had two Ph.D.’s, one in agriculture and one in Greek and Hebrew. He was so gifted, he could have chosen to do anything he wanted. He chose to serve the poor. In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Americus, Georgia, and called it Koinonia Farm. It was a community for poor people of every ethnicity. As you might guess, such an idea did not go over well in the deep South of the '40s.

Ironically, much of the resistance came from good church people who followed the laws of segregation as much as the other folk in town. The town people tried everything to stop Clarence. They tried boycotting him and slashing workers' tires when they came to town. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him.

Finally, in 1954, a group of people had enough of Clarence Jordan. They decided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns and torches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarence's home, which they riddled with bullets. The next day, a reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. He found Clarence in the field, hoeing, and planting.

“I heard the awful news,” he called to Clarence, “and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing.” Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter said in a haughty voice, “Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.’s and you've put fourteen years into this farm, and there's nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you've been?” Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly, “About as successful as the Cross. Sir, I don't think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We're staying. Good day.”

Success in the world’s eyes means having many possessions and having a well-known reputation. But in God’s eyes, these things mean nothing! In fact, only one time in the Bible does God use the word “success” yet almost 100 times the word faithful and faithfulness is used.

Do you desire to be used of God? Every great servant of God were just normal sinners, saved by grace, faithfully serving God when He used them.  God isn’t looking for success in your life. He’s looking for a humble heart, faithfully serving Him. If you want more responsibility from God, faithfully serve Him in what He’s already given you to do today.

Determine to be a faithful minister and steward for Christ today.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  What two things does the Apostle Paul state we should take account of?

2.  What action does Paul promote in this passage?  

3.  Describe how you are faithful?

4.  What do you admire most about Clarence Jordan?

5.  Do you desire to be used of God?  If so, where do you need to start?

* The illustration concerning Clarence Jordan was copied from "Daily in the Word" by Dr. Paul Chappell, dated December 17, 2008.