#1522. How can a steward remain faithful? (22/5/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Stewardship series.

We can remain faithful stewards as we invest in our love for Christ and receive afresh of His love for us. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

I’m sure we’ve all had the grievous experience of speaking with someone who once ran the race for Christ but has since fallen away. Today, we want to reflect on how we can remain faithful stewards.

1. Regard us as stewards of Christ

Paul tells the Corinthian church to regard him as a servant and steward of Christ.

‘Steward’ translates the Greek word oikonómos, meaning a manager, trustee, or one entrusted with responsibility.

Each of us has been entrusted with gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities that are to be used in service for God.

At this point in the letter, Paul seems to be defending himself against those who were judging and accusing him. In the context, he writes:

In essence, Paul is urging them to recognise that all he is doing, in good conscience, is in service to Christ and as His steward.

Today, let’s ask ourselves: Are we truly servants of Christ? Are we stewarding the gifts and opportunities He has given us with a clear conscience and a desire to honour Him?

2. It is required that a steward be faithful

Paul explains how a servant and steward is to live:

To be faithful — pistos — means to be trustworthy, reliable, dependable, and loyal.

Jesus requires faithfulness from us. The phrase ‘it is required’ comes from the Greek zéteó, meaning to seek, desire, strive after, or pursue diligently.

A faithful steward is attentive to Jesus — quick to seek His will and eager to respond in obedience.

I’m sure we’ve all been in a shop where we need assistance and can’t find anyone willing to help. You look around and see staff chatting or distracted on their phones, and frustration begins to rise! In contrast, Jesus calls us to be attentive and responsive servants - faithful stewards who are ready to act when He calls.

Response  How can we remain a faithful steward?

i. Keep renewing your love and loyalty to Christ.

Our reading speaks of a living relationship with Jesus. We can be sure of this: if we foolishly think we can remain faithful without continually drinking from the ‘living water’ of Christ, we will soon become spiritually dry, weary, and discouraged. Faithfulness is not sustained by good intentions alone, but by daily abiding in Jesus — loving Him, seeking Him, listening to Him, and drawing strength from His presence.

A faithful steward keeps his heart on fire for Christ.

ii. Keep admiring, treasuring, and sharing the ‘mysteries’ — the gospel of Christ.

Paul was under pressure and attack, yet he was sustained by the glory and wonder of the ‘mysteries’ of Christ and the gospel. A heart captivated by the grace of God gains strength to endure hardship and remain faithful. Often, when someone falls into unfaithfulness, it begins long before their outward actions — they have first drifted from admiring Christ and from being thankful for the gospel. Let us keep marvelling at His grace, rejoicing in His salvation, and gladly sharing this good news with others.

A faithful steward knows the lavish grace of God. 

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we began our new series: 

Stewardship - A teaching series on how we are to use the good things that God gives to us.  

‘Steward’ translates the Greek ‘oikonómos’, which means to be a manager, trustee, a holder of a commission. 

Each of us have be entrusted with gifts and opportunities - time, talents, and treasures -  that are to be used in service for God. 

During this series, we will cover some vital areas of good stewardship: Gifts, Time, Money, Eternal Reward.

Please read 1 Peter 4:10-11and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What inspired you, or what did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• How would you describe stewardship?

• What are the various things that God has given us to steward?

• What does our text teach about how we can remain faithful in our stewardship?

• What aspect of stewardship do you feel that you need to focus on? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How does stewardship make us a light for Christ? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.