COVENANT OF EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP  – 1 Corinthians 15:58

Theme for the month remains “Upholding Biblical Covenant Practices”- James 1:25.
• James 1:25 teaches us that as children of God, we must continually search for the truth about the word of God and ensuring that we live according to what we found. Then God will surely bless us.
• “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do”-James 1:25 NIV
• Today, the Covenant practice for consideration is Effective Stewardship
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

A. Understanding Stewardship
• Who is a steward ? : someone who has been given a definitive task(s) with the aim of returning to the master to give account of activities carried out
• Stewardship is a relationship between 2 parties- Master-Servant; Boss-Subordinate
• Stewardship is every believer’s business- I Cor.15: 58a
• Stewardship is really about returning to God what was a gift to us in the first place-1 Peter 4:10; 1Corinthians 3:9-11 Romans 12:6a; “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”-1 Pet.4:10. “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.-I Corinthians 3:9-11 NKJV
• Faithfulness is a key virtue in the school of covenant stewardship 1 Cor 4:1-2; Gen.28:20-21- Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.-Genesis 28:20-21 NKJV
• Be conscious that God is the “omni-capable” master calling us into partnership with Him so as to bless us(rewards)-John 15:16; Job 42:2; 1 Tim.1:12
• Stewards must return with a good reward- John 15:5,16
• To whom much is given, much is expected. — Luke 12: 48
• Whatsoever a man sews, so shall he reap — Galatians 6: 7

B. How to Engage in Effective Stewardship
Stewardship works on God’s terms and not on your terms.
• Serve God willingly. – 1 Cor. 9:17; Isa.6:8
• Serve God righteously and reverentially– Heb. 12:28
• Serve God with humility. – Prov. 16:18
• Serve God joyfully. – Psalm 100:2; Deut.28:47-48
• Serve God unashamedly. – Rom. 1:16
• Serve God tirelessly. – 1 Cor. 15:58


C. Covenant of Reward- 1 Cor.15:58c; Luke 12:42-43; Col.3:23-24
• God’s reward is certain Rev.22:12; Jer.17:10
• God’s reward is great- I Sam.2:24
• God’s reward is a measure of individual’s gift and accordingly-Matt.25:14-15; 21-23
• God’s reward is both now and eternally Matt.25:29-30; 46