STEWARDSHIP AND INTERGRITY

STEWARDSHIP AND INTEGRITY
Speaker: REV. W. BOACHIE-ANSAH

Main Text: “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1Corinthians 4:1-2

Stewardship and integrity are gradually becoming household words in this modern dispensation. This stems from the fact that in every sector of human endeavour, man cannot do away with the need for people especially leaders to not only expound them as virtues but to actually put them in practice for their followers to emulate. In this write up I would discuss the definitions of these words, relate their significance to Christian leadership and deal with practical ways by which the Christian leader could demonstrate good stewardship and integrity in his life in order to be able to effectively promote the Kingdom business.

1. DEFINITIONS FOR STEWARD
The Greek word for the steward is: oikonomos, (oy-kon-om'-os) and it implies:
• Slave subject to a master but placed in charge of other slaves.
• House-distributor (i.e. manager),
• Overseer of an estate, i.e. an employee in that capacity;
• Fiscal agent (treasurer);
• Preacher of the Gospel (figuratively)--chamberlain, governor

The Encarta Dictionary gives the following modern definitions for the word:
• Plane or ship attendant: somebody who attends to passengers on an aircraft or ship, or manages provisions and dining aboard a ship
• Property manager: somebody who manages somebody else's property, finances, or household
• Hotel or club manager: somebody who manages arrangements concerning meals or lodging at a hotel, club, college, or other establishment
• Official at public event: a marshal or official at a large public event

2. DEFINITIONS FOR INTEGRITY
The concept is derived from the Hebrew word “tom” with the following implications:
• completeness
• moral innocence:--full, integrity,
• perfect(-ion), simplicity
• Uprightness at a venture.
• Trustworthy
• Faithful
•
Integrity therefore encompasses:
• possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards
• completeness: the state of being complete or undivided
• wholeness: the state of being sound or undamaged


If we are to go by the definitions above, Christian Stewardship therefore deals with
• Recognition of God’s ownership of one’s person, powers and possessions.
• Divine-human partnership with God as the senior partner.
• Faithfully applying God’s principles to everything, which He has entrusted to us.
• Faithful use of these for advancement of His kingdom on earth.

Stewardship and integrity therefore deals with serving the Lord and his Church in such a way that we would not be found wanting in any area of our stewardship by ensuring that pragmatism and transparency are imbibed to ensure sustainable effective advancement of the kingdom business. We need to get it into our spirit that
• God owns everything. Ps 24:1; Ps 50:10, 11.
• God claims ownership of us as Christians 1 Cor. 6:19, 20
• God claims ownership of all the silver and gold and all of the wealth in the planet Haggai 2:8
• We own nothing. We came with nothing Job 1:21, Eccl. 5:15, 16, 1 Tim. 6:7
• Everything we have has been given to us by God 1 Cor. 4:7 …
• He gives us power to get wealth. Deut. 8:18

3. THE NEED FOR INTEGRITY IN OUR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
In our calling as Christian leaders,
A. We are Chosen by God Is. 43:10; Amos 7:14, 15; Jer. 1:5-7, Jn. 15:16; Jn. 20:21; 1 Tim. 1:12 Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20

We should remember that there are so many people in the Church who might have advanced in so many areas in life more than we are. If God has bypassed all those people and has chosen you to be in charge of the church, which is the most important institution on the earth, there is the need for us to be faithful to him in everything! In order to live up to the task
• You must first deal with your character. (Acts 20:28). Identify every weakness in you and allow the Holy Spirit to help you bear the fruit of the Spirit.
• Be consistent. Be prepared to move with God both in good and hard times.
• Remember that availability, loyalty and faithfulness are the basic values expected of any steward aspiring to be successful to his master.

B. We are Counted Faithful/Trustworthy by Christ 1 Tim. 1:12

God himself has counted you faithful. If you do not maintain your integrity, then you have disappointed Him. Give your whole life to Him, respect and properly manage it. If you don’t want to disappoint him;
• Don’t complain or talk negatively about the work. Let people see the leadership business as the most honorable business.
• Promote the church and try to creatively implement every policy of the Church. Eg; attending movement meetings, home cells, etc
• In times of affliction, let people know that your God is in control. That was what makes Job stands tall when it comes to maintaining integrity. Don’t give up too easily!

C. We are Appointed as Ambassador for Christ 2 Cor. 5:18 – 21.

As a leader in the church you have been chosen to represent Christ in that Church and community.
• You are in possession of God’s secrets; the secrets of life, business etc. Let the presence of God be felt in the community. God has confidence in you. That is why you were chosen.
• Do all that you can to promote His interests.
• What are Christ’s interests in the Church and your community?
• There is ACCOUNTABILITY connected with your stewardship as Christ’s ambassador Mt 12:36; 18:23; 23:34; 25:19 Lu 12:20; 48; 19:15

D. We are Chosen as Servant Stewards of God 1 Cor. 4:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10.

God will never come down visibly for you to serve Him with food, etc. However, there are so many areas that you are expected to serve faithfully and diligently. Manage His resources effectively. Gen. 2:15.
Church resources include:
• How you handle church finances, such as tithes and offerings. Don’t use the church’s money in unnecessary expenses.
• Keep good records of transactions.
• Be accountable and responsible to your superiors.
• Manage your members well and consider their welfare. Visit the sick and help the youth in career guidance.
• Jesus, who is your Boss, is very much interested in profits. He wants you to faithfully increase the TITHES, MISSIONARY OFFERINGS, GENERAL OFFERINGS, CHURCH MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERS WITH HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM, PROPERTY ACQUISITION and all other areas which result in the advancement of the kingdom business!
• Don’t take advantage over the members. Never use your office to perpetuate your personal agenda.

4. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF GOOD STEWARDS
• Eliezer of Damascus & Abraham Gen. 15:2; 24:1 – 67.
• Joseph In the house of Portiphar Gen. 39:1 - 6
• Joseph In prison Gen. 39:21 – 23

5. THE STEWARD’S REWARDS
• God’s faithful stewards will be rewarded with promotions, etc Matt. 25:21 – 23; Lk19:17-19
• Lazy and unfaithful ones will be punished Lk 12:48; 19:22

6. CONCLUSION: QUOTES ABOUT INTEGRITY AND STEWARDSHIP
 Integrity and Morality (Holiness of heart and life keep channels of communication open with God and insure the Holy Spirit’s free access to fulfilling the Father’s will. 1 Cor. 6:9, 10)

 Integrity in the public arena cannot survive if people justify wrongdoing with the attitude that “everyone’s doing it.” See Jer. 35:12–14.
 A pastor (OR LEADER) is expected to have above all a deep sense of call, a self-image that places him in a unique sphere of service, dedication, and sacrifice. His INTEGRITY and authority should not be questioned. He is the spiritual leader of his congregation, the axis around which the life of the church revolves. The people cannot grow spiritually beyond the level of their pastor. He is the prime mover, orientor, and advisor for all the programs of the church. He is the preaching-teaching elder, who must expound God’s revelation, maintain discipline, and lead the congregation.
 It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what one does not believe. Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809) Anglo-American political philosopher.
The Age of Reason

 The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 - 1968) U.S. civil rights leader. From his book: Strength to Love

 A reputation for good judgment, for fair dealing, for truth, and for rectitude, is itself a fortune. Henry Ward Beecher (1813 - 1887) U.S. cleric and abolitionist. From his book, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Willmington, H.L.,Willmington’s Guide To The Bible (Katunayake: Christian Crusade), 1995
2. Brill, E.H., The Christian Moral Vision (New York: The Seabury Press), 1979
3. Carr ,W., (Ed) The New Dictionary Of Pastoral Studies (Grand Rapids: Erdmans), 2002
4. Swainson, Bill Encarta Book Of Quotations (London: Bloomsbury Publishing), 2000
5. Ferret, S.K., Peak Performance [3rd ed] New York: (McGraw-Hill) ,2000
6. Preacherss Goldmine Logos Bible Suite [CD] (Nashville: Thomas Nelson),1997
7. Ilumina Gold (Bible Suite DVD) Tyndale House
8. Microsoft Encarta 2006 (DVD Version) Microsoft Corporation