Steinbach Bible Institute - Star Yearbook (Steinbach, Manitoba Canada)

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yaculty ‘Thou art the Potter I am the Clay.

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CONTENTS Faculty . 7 Students .77 Activities . 43 Missions 61

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REV. B. D. REIMER PRINCIPAL The Christian - A Steward Among the high and holy privileges a Christian has is that of being a steward. A steward not only for an earthly master, for a certain group or organization, but of God. Paul, writing to the man put In charge of ordering the churches of Crete, reminds him of the qualifications of those put in responsible positions of leadership, and says they are stewards of God. The writer of the Hebrew epistle says these leaders have to give account to God for the souls under the ' ir care, under their responsibility. Again, both Peter and Paul put it very clearly when they say that every Christian will give account of himself to God. In 1 Corithians Paul says “Let a man so account Of us, as of the ministers of Christ and ste¬ wards of the mysteries of God,” and then odds, “Moreover, ' it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” But, some say, the apostles speak in this way of tlhe responsibility of leaders in the church; of those placed in the ministry, of special servants only. Listen to this then, will you, from the pen of the apostle Peter, as recorded in his 1st epistle chapter four, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” In writing his general epistle to com¬ fort the suffering Christians who were scattered through persecution, the apostle Peter does not forget to call definite atten¬ tion to their responsibility as stewards. In spite of their difficult position, and their suffering, he reminds them that each one SYNTHESIS, BIBLE, MISSIONS, PERSONAL WORK, CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, BIBLE INTRODUCTION, CULTS of them is a steward of the manifold grace of God. It is clear then, that every ' Christian is placed in the position od stewardship. The same God that created him, and bought him with a high price in redeeming man¬ kind, has called the Christian to be a ste¬ ward. The Christian is no longer his own, he belongs to the Lord. Paul goes on to say, reminding the Christians that if Christ died for all then are all dead, so that they Who live should henceforth not live for themselves, but unto Him who died for them. The position and responsibility of the steward according to Scripture is one of extreme responsibility and trust, demand¬ ing not only efficiency, but conscientious faithfulness and unselfishness in service. He is the housekeeper. To him are commit¬ ted the treasures of his Lord, — his ward¬ robe — his supplies, and the management of his affairs, both domestic and business. He is the dispenser for his Lord. See Luke 12:42 and 1 Chronicles 28:1 for a clear teaching on the stewards position of trust and responsibility. We see from these pas¬ sages very clearly that the steward has not only absolute and sole authority and power to dispense his master’s goods and run his master’s affairs; but also, that he has the responsibility to do this according to his master’s will and wishes. What could the master think of the steward, for instance, who would use for himself and his family all except 10% of a large business or es¬ tate. Or of one who let his personal de¬ sire interfere with his master’s wishes, plans and program? You as a Christian are that steward of God — a steward of the mysteries of God — of the gifts of God, to give meat to H ' is servants and household ' in due season. The field is the world; the meat is the Word of God; the supply is God’s; the due season the open doors to souls perishing without Christ, and that before they go to a Christ- less eternity; the dispenser of the water and bread of life, for God who loved the world and gave himself for it for you. May God find you faithful. B. D. Reimer