The Principle of Stewardship 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

How We Love to Fight! Don’t You Miss Football!? Don’t You Miss Football!? In Paul’s Day: Real Gladiators! In Paul’s Day: Real Gladiators! At Corinth: At Corinth: Each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ.“ (1 Cor. 1:12) Each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ.“ (1 Cor. 1:12) The Human Condition! The Human Condition!

Identity as God’s Stewards Not Fighting for Human Acclaim Not Fighting for Human Acclaim Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians 4:1

Identity as God’s Stewards Not Fighting for Human Acclaim Not Fighting for Human Acclaim The Only Issue: ‘Am I Trustworthy?’ The Only Issue: ‘Am I Trustworthy?’ In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2

Identity as God’s Stewards Not Fighting for Human Acclaim Not Fighting for Human Acclaim The Only Issue: ‘Am I Trustworthy?’ The Only Issue: ‘Am I Trustworthy?’ I’m Already Drowning In Wealth! I’m Already Drowning In Wealth! A Radical Reorientation… A Radical Reorientation… Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14

The Freedom of Stewardship What matters most is Faithfulness! What matters most is Faithfulness! “Hey, I’m not in it for ME!” “Hey, I’m not in it for ME!” I Can Handle Setbacks I Can Handle Setbacks In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2

The Freedom of Stewardship What matters most is Faithfulness! What matters most is Faithfulness! Rise Above the Court of Human Opinion Rise Above the Court of Human Opinion You’re not my boss! You’re not my boss! But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court… 1 Corinthians 4:3

The Freedom of Stewardship What matters most is Faithfulness! What matters most is Faithfulness! Rising Above the Court of Human Opinion… Rising Above the Court of Human Opinion… Rising Above My Own Insecurities Rising Above My Own Insecurities … in fact, I do not even examine myself. 1 Corinthians 4:3 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? ‘I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind…’” Jer. 17:9-10 but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; 1 Corinthians 4:4

The Freedom of Stewardship What matters most is Faithfulness! What matters most is Faithfulness! Rising Above the Court of Human Opinion… Rising Above the Court of Human Opinion… Rising Above My Own Insecurities Rising Above My Own Insecurities Living for God’s Praise Living for God’s Praise … but the one who examines me is the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:4

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts… 1 Corinthians 4:5 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt… Luke 18:9 In that you judge another, you condemn yourself Rom. 2:2

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Corinthians 2:12 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present… 1 Cor. 5:3

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.“ John 7:24 The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Not by human appearance… Not by human appearance… But by God’s viewpoint But by God’s viewpoint But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Not by human appearance… Not by human appearance… But by God’s viewpoint But by God’s viewpoint By Spiritual Fruit By Spiritual Fruit "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will know them by their fruits… Matthew 7:15-16

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Not by human appearance… Not by human appearance… But by God’s viewpoint But by God’s viewpoint By Spiritual Fruit By Spiritual Fruit By God’s Word By God’s Word But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Not Unrighteous Accusation Not Unrighteous Accusation …the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Not Unrighteous Accusation Not Unrighteous Accusation i.e., Motives-Focused i.e., Motives-Focused … wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts… 1 Corinthians 4:5

The Implications of Stewardship Stop Being a Judge! Stop Being a Judge! Instead, Discern… Instead, Discern… Not Unrighteous Accusation Not Unrighteous Accusation i.e., Motives-Focused i.e., Motives-Focused or: vague, un-redemptive, unbiblical, sweeping attack! or: vague, un-redemptive, unbiblical, sweeping attack! Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Psalms 139:23-24

When the Dust Settles… Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5