YOU ARE GOD’S STEWARD (Part 2)
“The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32 WEB)
One of the things that distinguished the early believers from the rest of the people was their steward mentality or mindset. They acknowledged God as the real owner of all the things which they possessed.
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They regarded themselves only as stewards, caretakers, or managers of God’s resources.
Acts 4:32 – WEB
32 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
The early believers were able to have a common purse, having all things in common, because none among them claimed that any of the things he possessed was his own.
What a right company to belong to!
Undoubtedly, today’s Church would be a great model in the world if all the believers possess the same steward mindset as the early believers. The Church today is materialistic because we don’t possess the mentality of a steward like the early Church.
Many believers today have fallen into many senseless temptations, strayed from the faith, and pierced their hearts with many sorrows in their greediness or voraciousness to possess or own the things of this world (1 Tim. 6:9-10).
No doubt, possessing steward mentality will have huge positive impacts upon today’s Church as it had upon the early Church.
Let us consider some of the vast impacts or effects of the steward mentality upon the early Church.
First, as a result of the steward mentality of the early believers there was no needy person among them.
Certainly, not all of them were rich. Many of the early believers were poor.
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There were many widows and orphans, yet none among them suffered any lack.
Can you imagine belonging to a church where there is none who lacks basic necessities of life?
That is only possible where the believers possess steward mentality!
The Scripture bears witness concerning the early Church.
Acts 2:44-47 – NKJV
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4: 34-37 – NKJV
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
What a remarkable difference to what is seen in our churches today!
Second, the steward mentality of the early believers fostered, nurtured and sustained the unity of the Spirit among them. How?
Because it eliminated pride, envy or jealousy among them!
The rich among them who might be haughty or arrogant sold their properties and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet to distribute to everyone according to his need. Therefore, the poor believers had no cause to be envious or jealous of the rich believers.
What was the result of that?
Acts 2:46-47 – NKJV
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
This is apparently different from what we experience in our churches today!
The truth is this: it is pride that is mostly the cause of the strife, contention and division in our churches today.
Solomon writes, “By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.” (Prov. 13:10 NKJV).
Pride is simply self-seeking or self-centeredness. It is thinking only about yourself; it is being full of yourself. Pride breeds envy, jealousy, strife, confusion, and every evil thing.
James attests, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (Jam. 3:16 NKJV).
It is very difficult to foster unity among the proud, the people who are self-seeking. This is why it is increasingly becoming difficult today for the brethren to dwell together in unity like the early brethren.
Possessing steward mentality is an antidote to self-seeking, but when and where this is missing or lacking, confusion and every evil thing will be present!
Lastly, the steward mentality of the early Church resulted in greater manifestation of God’s awesome presence and outpouring of God’s blessings upon the entire Church.
The Scripture testifies to this truth.
Acts 4:33 – NKJV
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
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Also, the multitude of the believers had joy and gladness, praising God and having favour with all the people (Acts 2:46). Moreover, the Lord was pleased to add daily to the Church those who are being saved (Acts 2:47).
We are certainly missing a lot today because we possess a self-seeking mindset rather than a steward mindset.
Beloved, it is indeed time for a positive mentality revolution in today’s Church.
Let it start with you today!
1 Peter 4:9-10 – NKJV
9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, let there be a mighty positive mentality revolution from self-seeking mentality to steward mentality in today’s Church and let it start with me today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.