“I urged you… charge [them] not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions… I received mercy for this reason, that in me, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever….
“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy,.. wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.”
“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you… O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” 1 Timothy 1:3-7,16-19a; 4:14a; 6:20-21
The gift of faith, breaking in on wayward rebels, is serious business, and so is the stewardship of that faith. Paul knew well the allure of education, pontificating about knowledge, and misdirected passion leading in the wrong direction. Yet once saved, his will redeemed, his care and employment of God’s indescribable gifts became his charge and end. Faith from the Lord would be used for Him and His purposes. (Acts 22:3-8; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 1:12-15)
This charge can present constant tension for the child of God. News and new discoveries, a plethora of interpretations and opinions, multiple choices of belief and behavior are constantly before us, vying for attention and allegiance. Faith is questioned, criticized, tested. Rather than it serving as fuel and substance we begin to sequester faith to certain days and projects. Danger pounces the moment we doubt its efficacy by God’s hand to save and transform and encompass all of life, and relegate it to a specific siloed role. (1 Timothy 4:1-3,6-11)
Are we constantly contending to prove ourselves, achieve a personal agenda, attach ourselves to worldly thought, or is our passion to know and accomplish the tasks the Lord’s entrusted to us? Stewardship of faith is revealed in how we manage resources, close relationships, work assigned, ministry duties, and the eternal results they bear. How seriously do we take these? What self-serving motives, disordered interest, or prideful control is God’s Spirit convicting us to relinquish? How can we more honorably, directedly, passionately exercise the Lord’s gift of faith, and encourage others in the same? (Titus 1:13-14; 3:1-9)
“A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
to do my Master’s will!
Arm me with watchful care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.” ~Charles Wesley (1762)
Lord, teach me honorable, fruitful stewardship of Your gracious gift of faith, to Your ends and glory.
As the rain and snow 