Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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The Call of Jeremiah, November 1st, 2020

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The Call of Jeremiah, November 1st, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT A godly conditioned heart is of far greater value to the Lord than charisma and eloquence. HYMN: WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS TEXT: Jeremiah 1:1-19 INTRODUCTION It is not unusual to be overwhelmed by circumstances and challenge that a new venture presents. After proper assessment of our capabilities in relation to the imperatives, demands and responsibilities of such a venture or project we either decline or proceed with it. The call of God on Jeremiah to present His divine perspective to the kings and people of Judah (Southern Kingdom) during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah was an enormous task. It meant that Jeremiah will be the voice of God to the nation. The task would not have been overwhelming if it was nation whose people and leaders followed the Lord, but for most of the time that was not the case. When Jeremiah began his ministry, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already been in captivity to Assyria for nearly one hundred years. Of the five kings during whose reigns Jeremiah prophesied, two ruled only for 3 months. These were Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31-33) and Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:6-16). They were both evil kings who perpetuated the evil deeds of previous kings like Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-4), Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-6) and Amon (2 Kings 21:19-22). During Josiah’s reign when Jeremiah began his ministry, an attempt was made by the king to restore Judah to the true worship of God. This was after the evil reigns of Manasseh who ruled for 55 years and Amon for 2 years. The state of moral decay the nation was in can only be imagined. Called as a young man at this time of reformation, Jeremiah could only see his limitations. He knew the enormity of the task ahead of him as it relates to a nation that had largely forsaken the Lord. Jeremiah needed the reassurance form the Lord to take up the responsibility of being the spokesperson for God in a depraved nation. The depravity of our times is truly daunting. To speak the mind of God that reflects His holiness is certainly not popular, hence few do so. The call of the Lord is not to swim with the tide of wickedness and moral bankruptcy but to join with the redeemed of the Lord to declare his righteousness. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are:1.To know how God called Jeremiah.2.To learn from the response of Jeremiah when God called him3.To understand the implications of God’s call on His children4.To know that excuses have no place in the scheme of God’s plans5.To appreciate how God’s grace and provisions overcome every excuse we may have BIBLE TRUTH Question 1.) WHEN DID THE LORD START TO PREPARE JEREMIAH FOR THE MINISTRY? WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT THE ENDOWING GRACE OF THE LORD? Every human being comes forth to the earth through the womb of a woman. Although this process of birth is a natural one, all persons in the medical profession who have deeper insight into it know that it is a most fascinating and intriguing process. The Psalmist’s insight into it comes from Psalm 139:13-14. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because...

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The Challenges of our Times, Covetousness and Greed, October 25th, 2020

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The Challenges of our Times, Covetousness and Greed, October 25th, 2020

HYMN: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR CENTRAL THOUGHT: No covetous or greedy person shall inherit the kingdom of God. Text: Exo 20:17; Prov 1:10-19 Luke 12:15-30 Introduction: Covetousness and greed have remained serious challenges over time. These two vices have manifested in the lives of both the rich and the poor, the high and the low. David the king prayed to God to keep his hear from covetousness, Ps 119:36. Many believers manifest covetousness and greed under the guise of claiming whatsoever they desire by faith. The word “desire is noted to be common in the definitions of covetousness and greed. As children of God, we must always check our desires and ourselves and be sure that these desires are those that will be pleasing to God and that they are in line with the will of God for our lives. Many Christians measure their level of spirituality by how affluent they are and so they go to any length to acquire material things just because they want to be like others. The word of God admonishes us that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses, Luke 12:15. We must daily look up to God as His dear children to meet our daily needs. He is our source, provider and our all in all. The Word of God instructs us to cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us, 1 Pet 5:7. Moreover, Paul prayed for the Philippian Church that God will supply all their needs “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”, Phil 4:19. This, we can lay claim to as we meet the conditions of this prayer. In this study, we shall examine the dangers in covetousness and greed and learn how to overcome them. LESSON OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study are: To understand the meaning of covetousness and greed.To know the causes of covetousness and greed.To identify the ways covetousness and greed manifest.To examine the consequences of being covetous and greedy.To know how to overcome the challenges of covetousness and greed Q1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY COVETOUSNESS AND GREED?Covetousness is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary as having or showing a strong desire to possess something especially something that belongs to somebody else. The NIV Bible dictionary defines covetousness as a strong, excessive, inordinate desire to have what belongs to another.Greed is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary as “an excessive desire for food, especially when one is not hungry or an excessive desire for wealth, power, etc., for oneself without consideration for the needs of other people. One vice that clearly manifests in both cases is selfishness. As children of God, we should abhor what is evil, cleave to what is good; be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another, Rom 12:9-10.A believer should neither be covetous nor greedy. We should appreciate God for what He has given us and trust Him for whatever we need instead of being covetous or greedy. Q2. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF COVETOUSNESS AND GREED?The word of God specifically instructs us not to love the world nor the things that are in the world, 1 John 2:15. Covetousness and greed are of the world. The desire...

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THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 2), October 18th, 2020

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THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 2), October 18th, 2020

  CENTRAL THOUGHT The strength of vows demand that they should be performed HYMN: THY LIFE WAS GIVEN FOR ME Text: Gen 28:10-22, 35:6-7; Num 21:1-3; Judges 11:27-39; Ps 50:14, 76:11; Eccl 5:1-7; Matt 5:33   The Great illustrated Dictionary defines vow as an earnest promise or pledge that binds on to perform a specified act or belief, in a certain manner. In the first part of this study, it was mentioned that the use of vows were common in Bible times, that vows are sacred and important in Christian service. When Jacob went into Mesopotamia he vowed to God the tenth part of his estate, and promised to offer it at Bethel to the honor and service of God, Gen 28:20-22. This concluding part will highlight some excuses men give for not fulfilling their vows, the consequences of such act, the resultant effect of performance of vows.   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To consider some reasons why believers fail to fulfil their vows. To know the dangers of not fulfilling vows. To know that there are blessings associated with fulfillment of vows.   Bible Truth Q1. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS DO NOT REDEEM THEIR VOWS? There are several reasons why some believers fail to fulfill their vows. Some of them are poverty, greed, unfaithfulness, selfishness, unbelief and lukewarmness to the things of God. Poverty: Poverty or lack should not hinder an individual from fulfilling his or her vow to God, He will always make a way to help us fulfill our vows. For example, a sister who vowed to give a drum to her church if she delivers safely, gave a testimony of how God miraculously provided for her the money she used in buying a drum set; by making her to be among the people selected form her school to attend a seminar for ten days, where she was paid one thousand naira daily. As if that was not enough, she was asked if she needed a soft loan from her school staff welfare fund. She then collected the loan and added part of her salary for that month and she was able to fulfil her vow to the Lord. If God sees that the vow maker is really willing, God will equally make a way even when there seemed to be no way. Greed: At times some people will feel that what they have used in vowing is too much for God. They will listen to the suggestions of the devil to use the money for some other “useful” things; after all, nobody knew that they made such vows. A sister who vowed to give God a ceiling fan if God gives her the job she applied for, when she came to fulfil the vow, narrated how she went to market three good times to buy the fan only to heed to the devil’s advice that she should go back because the money involved could buy her a wrapper and a hand bag to match; until according to her, she overcame the devil and finally bought the ceiling fan and presented it. Unfaithfulness: Some people because of share unfaithfulness quickly forget the favors of God in their lives. As soon as their requests are granted they forget...

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THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 1), October 11th, 2020

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THE POWER OF VOWS (PART 1), October 11th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT Vows fulfilled open doors of Amazing blessings from God. HYMN: THERE IS NOT A FRIEND LIKE THE LOWLY JESUS Text:   1   Sam   1:1-28, 2:21; Judges 11:30-40; Num 30:2; Deut. 23:21; Ps   50:14, 76:11; Eccl 5:1-7; Matt 5:33   Introduction: A vow according to Oxford Dictionary simply means a solemn promise especially to God. It could equally be a declaration, affirmation, agreement, a bond, an undertaking or an oath. It could take place within an individual either privately or publicly: especially when it comes to things of God. It could be an undertaking between persons, e.g. marriage vows. The use of vows was common in Bible times. However, vows must come out of one’s willingness and not out of compulsion, otherwise, it becomes fruitless and meaningless. When fulfilled it attracts the blessings of God, 1 Sam 2:21. Vows are sacred and should not be taken lightly. Our God is a covenant keeper. He demands nothing less than faithfulness. “When you make a vow unto God, defer not to fulfill it; for He has no pleasure in fools: pay that which you have vowed. Better is it that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay”, Eccl 5:4-5. Once it proceeds from your mouth, it becomes binding on you, the only way out is to fulfill your vow, no other alternative. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this lesson are to know, understand, consider and appreciate: To know the meaning of a vow. To know the importance of vow. To know how vows generally should be made.   Bible truth: Q1. WHAT DO WE UNDERSTAND BY THE TERM VOW? A vow is a solemn/sacred promise, an undertaking and a declaration. It could be regarded as an affirmation, an oath or a bond which an individual makes to God either privately or publicly when faced with a problem. It could equally be an undertaking between persons with a target in focus. Hannah came back to the temple to present Samuel to the Lord, just to fulfill her vow in 1 Sam 1:11. A vow is a promise to God of doing some good thing when prayers are answered. So, vows are sacred, when made to GOD, before GOD and in the assembly of His people. God is in heaven and we on earth, Eccl 5:2, any pledge or oath or undertaking made before Him is recorded in the Lord’s Book of Records.   Q2. WHAT WERE THE LAWS THAT REGULATED THE EXECUTION OF VOWS? There are several laws for the regulation and due execution of vows. A man might devote himself or his children, to the Lord. If a man or woman vowed themselves, or their children to the lord, they were obliged to adhere strictly to His service according to conditions of the vow; if not, they were to be redeemed, Lev 27:2-3. Only if the person was poor, and could not procure the sum limited, the priest imposed a ransom upon him according to his abilities. If anyone had vowed an animal that was clean, he had not the liberty of exchanging it or of withdrawing (or redeeming) it, but as obliged to sacrifice it to the Lord or give it to the Priest, according to the manner of his vow. If it was an...

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GIVING (PART 3), October 4th, 2020

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GIVING (PART 3), October 4th, 2020

  CENTRAL THOUGHT For the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measure to you again HYMN: I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE Text: Malachi 3:10-12; Matt 6:1-4 In the first lesson in this series, we examined what giving is and highlighted the attitudes we should have towards it. Following that, we identified what to give and the reasons for dating so. In this concluding lesson we shall be looking at some fertile grounds unto which we can sow and the blessings derivable in obeying this injunction. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To identify areas in which we can practice giving. To understand how not to give. To identify some factors that discourage people from giving. To examine the blessings of giving.   Q1. WHAT ARE SOME AREAS WE CAN PRACTICE GIVING? There are so many areas we can sow into that can be considered as fertile grounds. These include: 1. Evangelism/Mission, Mark 10:29-30. Evangelism is the primary assignment the Lord committed to all believers. However, many of us are not able to do this work the way we ought to. There are those out there who have devoted their lives to ensure that the assignment is carried out as the Lord commanded. If we therefore give generously to support them, we are helping to fulfill the task we have been given and so will get the reward of obedience. 2. Needs of the Church, Mal 3:10. Any need in the house of God can be regarded as “God’s need” at the moment and when we contribute to meet such needs, we will be sowing on fertile ground that will yield the desired harvest in due season. 3. Needy Saints, Matt 10:40-42; Phil 4:17-19. Whenever we give to help a needy brother or sister whether known or unknown to us, we are actually giving to the Lord Himself as we see in Matt. 10:40-42. Anything we give in the name of the Lord will attract is due reward. 4. The Widows, Fatherless, Orphans and Aged,  James 1:27. It is God’s desire that we show love to the widows, fatherless, orphans and the aged by giving to meet their needs. Anyone who gives to this category of people will be rewarded by Him. 5. The Poor, Ps 41:1-3; Prov 19:17. This is another very fertile ground that we can sow into which unfortunately we are neglecting so much. The Bible says in Prov 19:17 that he that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord. If any on is call upon to lend to the One who owns heaven and earth, it is a big opportunity which if we understand what it means, we will do all in our power to give. We should develop the right attitude towards the poor by giving to their need. 6. Ministries of the Gospel, 1 Cor 9:7-14. The Bible makes us to understand that we should not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. Thus all due encouragement should be given to those who are laboring for our good. Those that labor daily for the good of our souls should not be deprived of care and sustenance. Let us remember always that those who preach the gospel should also live of the gospel.   Q2. HOW...

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GIVING (PART 2), September 27th, 2020

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GIVING (PART 2), September 27th, 2020

  CENTRAL THOUGHT God loves a cheerful giver.   HYMN: I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE Text: Phil. 4:10-20; Mal. 3:7-12   Introduction: And part 1 of our study on giving, we laid more emphasis on having the right attitude towards giving to make it acceptable and rewarding. And this second part, attempt will be made to identify what to give and the various kinds of giving in the scripture. Giving is not just an act but a lifestyle of the kingdom, just like prayer, and standing on the word of God for growth, nourishment and blessing. It is an important part of our worship of God. Since giving is one of the measures of our spiritual maturity, it is very important that we understand the various kinds of giving. This is necessary because God judges our mind and attitude before, during and after giving.   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To understand what should motivate us to give. To identify what we are to give. To know the benefits of giving   Q1. WHAT SHOULD BE THE MOTIVATING FACTOR IN OUR GIVING? John. 3:16; 15:13; 1 Cor. 13:1-3 The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. The greatest factor that can motivate any giving that God will accept is love. Without love even if we give all that we have, it will amount to nothing in the sight of God (1 Cor. 13:1-3). So we must make love the basis of any giving we want to be involved in, otherwise, that reward that God gives for every giving that is with the right motive will be lost.   Q2. WHAT ARE WE EXPECTED TO GIVE? As children of God, we are expected to give all that we have to him. However, for the purpose of clarity, we shall identify some of the things we are to give. 1.) Self, 2 Cor. 8:5: Like the Corinthians, we should first and foremost give ourselves to God because whatever we give will not be acceptable to God unless we first give ourselves to him, and recognition of the fact that all that we have come from his hands. (1 Cor. 4:7). 2.) Tithes and offerings, 3:7-12; Luke. 21:1-4; 1Cor. 16:1-2: Tithe is 10 percent of our income and it belongs to God while offering is something we offer to God voluntarily and happily. Many people do not see the need to give their tithes to God because they do not understand the word of God in the benefits attached to it. Many people tend to emphasize tithe while being silent on offering when considering this book of the Bible. It is necessary to point out here that both are very important and should be given adequate attention. The only difference between tithe and offering is that tithe is specifically define one tenth of our income while offering is left at the givers discretion which could even be more than tithe. 3.) Forgiveness: Mark. 11:25- 26; Matt. 5:23-29: Forgiveness is something we all owe one another. Unforgiving spirit hinders our blessing and defiles our relationship with God. It also gives substance to our offerings, at times our giving is not accepted because we failed to forgive. Matt. 5:23-24. When you...

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GIVING (PART 1), September 20th, 2020

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GIVING (PART 1), September 20th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT It is more blessed to give than to receive. HYMN: I HAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE Text: 2 Cor. 8:1-5; Luke.6:38, 21:1-4   INTRODUCTION To give is to pass something into someone’s hand or care or to hand over something as a present to someone. One may give something to someone in anticipation of a return of something else while others may give out of love and concern without expecting anything from the person to whom he/she has giving such thing. Giving is like a seed sowed which must germinate in due season, however the quality of the fruit a seed brings forth is determined by the quality of the seed. Since failure to give does not attract any reward, it is proper that we develop the right attitude towards giving to enable us get the right reward from the great rewarder and giver of all good things. This is what this lesson tries to highlight.   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To understand the starting point of giving. To discuss some ways in which God demonstrates giving. To explain some ways the Bible describes giving.   Bible Truth: Q1. WHAT IS THE STARTING POINT OF CHRISTIAN GIVING? The starting point of Christian given is to give oneself totally to the Lord. Giving is an act of grace which represents one of the forms of worship and show of gratitude, when it is done by first offering oneself as a sacrifice to the Lord. This is self-denial which will give Christ a first place in one’s life. Many people give without the right motive and as such the attract the wrath of God instead of his blessings to themselves. If we truly give ourselves to Christ and allow him have absolute control over our lives, we will give him the best that we have and not that which is worthless. Some people like to give things that are of no value to them to God, it is not proper to give as offering to the Lord, Moneys that Bus conductors/drivers and traders or even banks have rejected. Such giving reveals a lack of knowledge of whom God is to the individual and how he should be appreciated. We should solemnly make a fresh – surrender of ourselves and all we have on to the Lord Jesus Christ, sanctifying our contributions to God’s honor by First giving ourselves to God. Q2. DISCUSS SOME WAYS IN WHICH GOD DEMONSTRATES GIVING AND THE CHALLENGES DISPOSED TO US. Sacrificially, John. 3:16; Rom. 8:32:   God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. It pleased God to give Jesus for us. He gave him up to suffer and die for us. It is so wonderful that God should so love such a sinful world as to give his only begotten son, not one out of so many. Only himself (God) could do such a thing and this is real sacrifice that is beyond human comprehension. Because of this unique gift of God, we now have life in abundance. Therefore, in appreciation of this, we should Also be willing to give our all freely to him. Unconditionally, Matt. 5:44-48: It is human to give to people one hopes to receive from again. They could even borrow...

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WITNESSES FOR CHRIST, September 13th, 2020

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WITNESSES FOR CHRIST, September 13th, 2020

  CENTRAL THOUGHT The life of a witness is an open book for all to read and find Christ. HYMN: MUST I GO, AND EMPTY HANDED?   TESXT: 2 Pet. 1:1-21 Introduction: Down through the ages many people have claimed to be a witness for Christ. There are some whose claim is based on a true experience of the Lord in our fired by the love of God to live for him. Some others only use religion as a guise to advance their personal causes. If being identified as a Christian proves popular for the moment or serves the purpose, they do not hesitate to ride on this bandwagon. Even though their hearts fail to bear them witness in the claim, they do not hesitate to present themselves as witnesses. These are the sought that use Christ as a front to achieve their ulterior motives. Some others like the apostles, have a genuine claim. They were with Christ all through his earthly ministry. They were with him when he preached to the multitudes, healed the sick, fed the Thousands showed compassion on the helpless and above all brought the light of God to men’s souls. His prayer life and public ministry was such as they have not seen before. Christ made an indelible impact upon their lives. Writing about their walk with the Lord and His later years, apostle John wrote “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hand have handled,.. . Declare we onto you” 1 Jn. 1:1-3. Peter writing in the same vein declared, “for we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitness of his Majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). A witness for Christ today is the man who has experienced his transforming power in the new birth, obeys the great commission and goes to share the wonderful message of the gospel with others. We become living epistles, which men read and testify to the reality of the redeeming power of Christ.   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To understand who a witness is. To identify false witnesses. To you know how to remain a faithful witness to the end.   Bible truth: Q1. WHO IS A TRUE WITNESS FOR CHRIST? By dictionary definition, a witness is a person who had the privilege of being present at the scene of an event, or one who has had a personal experience to which he or she unequivocally can testify. Unlike the apostles, none of us was around to witness the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, when we were presented with the message of the gospel, God wrought through it the miracle of the new birth in our spirits and we were born again. Like the man born blind in John chapter 9, our eyes were suddenly opened to spiritual realities to which our hearts were hitherto blinded by Sin. Most often, we are unable to contain our joy and excitement. We Feel we must tell somebody about our newfound life. We are filled with zeal that knows no bound and no obstacles or circumstance seems great enough to discourage...

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THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, September 6th, 2020

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THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, September 6th, 2020

    CENTRAL THOUGHT Conviction based on God’s word bring about genuine conversion. HYMN: AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND Text: John 4:1-42   INTRODUCTION Jacob’s well was located outside the city along the main road. There, Jesus encountered this woman and gave her extraordinary message on the living water that would quench her spiritual thirst forever. Her encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ brought about a positive turn around in the entire city of Samaria.   LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: Do you know who the Samaritan woman was before she encountered Christ. To examine her lifestyle with that of a typical religious person in the church without deep personal knowledge of Christ. To highlight the Samaritan’s Woman’s life after her encounter with Christ.   Bible Truth: Q1. HIGHLIGHT THE LIFESTYLE OF THIS WOMAN BEFORE HER ENCOUNTER WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. The lifestyle of the Samaritan woman was what we can describe as a sinner who never knew God. She was naturally segregated from the commonwealth of Israel. Though she had a mental knowledge of the coming of the Messiah, she never knew that He “that was speaking to her was the Messiah”. She knew the religious pattern of the worship of the Almighty God but not the spiritual implication of worshiping God in spirit and in truth. She was as empty as her water pot. She was spiritually thirsty, hopeless, confused and disgusted. She was a free woman (jumping from one man to another). She had lived with five men and yet no husband (she was a divorcee/adulteress). She sought for what could not satisfy, but Christ (who knew what was her need) helped her out and she had joy for the first time in life.   Q2. DISCUSS HOW HER LIFESTYLE PARALLELS THE LIFE OF A TYPICAL RELIGIOUS PERSON IN THE CHURCH WITHOUT DEEP PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS. The lifestyle of the Samaritan woman parallels the life of a typical religious person and the church without a deep personal knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a person has probably found his/her way into the Church of the living God either for identification as a Christian, because he/she has received physical healing from God or physical that such a person has entered the church for refuge, as a cover-up for even as a family church or perhaps to enhance his social status and the society. There has never really been any personal conviction of his/her dirty state or Hell bound journey into eternity. There has never been any heartbroken stage of his/her repentance that leads to salvation which is so basic, and so profound an experience that without it, all religious activities will be eternity worthless. Such a person could have grown to the stage of being ordained and goes as far as speaking church (Christian) language such as ‘bless you’ etc. or claim to speak in tongues yet he/she has not encountered Christ the Savior of the world. He/she as not changes his/her eternal destination, no new birth or even feel sorry for his/her sinful life with the commitment to sin no more. John 3:3 says “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. such a person cannot explain the event of his/her encounter...

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STEWARDSHIP, August 30th, 2020

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STEWARDSHIP, August 30th, 2020

CENTRAL THOUGHT Be a faithful servant.   HYMN: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE Text: Gen. 39:1-6, 41:46-57, 1 Sam. 12:1-5 Introduction: Stewardship is from the word steward. Generally, a steward is one who waits upon another, group of persons etc. It could be in a private house, commercial center, office, aircraft, ship, train, etc. The word connotes service. For the purpose of this study, steward is defined by the New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary shall be used: “A manager acting for the owner, of a large landed estate, its mansion, tenants etc. Stewardship is then the act of taking care of or managing something usually for the owner’s interest. A steward then is one who manages another’s property, finances or other affairs. It also means one who attends to the need of others committed to him. In Gen. 1:30, we are told that God created all things. We are also told in 1 Tim. 6:17 that He gave us all things to enjoy. This means that what we think is ours, is not really ours. They are given to us to manage for the owner’s interest. As Christians we are called to be stewards and not Lords, ministers and not masters. The early apostles realized that they were servants of the Lord Jesus Christ that had the care of the household of God and no more. They were to provide spiritual food for the rest, appoint and direct their work. Paul as one of these apostles concluded that he had fought a good fight and that a crown was waiting for him (2 Tim. 4:7-8). This is the testimony of a good steward who knew that he had done his master’s biddings faithfully and was so sure of a reward. As stewards of the manifold grace of God, we are through this grace to use our duty posts to do only that which the Lord had said. Diligent care must be taken not to feed the household with the chaff of our own inventions, instead of the wholesome food that is from the Master’s table. A true steward will always seek the glory, interest, and honor of his Lord. LESSON OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: To know who a steward is. How Christian stewardship arise. What is required in stewardship? To appreciate some areas of Christian stewardship. To know the benefits/rewards of faithful stewardship.   Q1. WHO IS A STEWARD? A steward is one who manages another’s property, finances or other affairs. A steward waits to satisfy other’s interests. He makes life more comfortable for those he waits upon. He cares for the interests of the property owner. The word connotes service. In Genesis, everything God created in the Garden of Eden was for Adam, the first created human being to keep and manage on behalf of the Creator. Freely he was to use the garden with only one law to obey which of course he could not and thus failed in his stewardship (Gen. 2:15-17). Q2. HOW DOES CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP ARISE? As earlier stated, everything around Adam was created for him. In fact, before his arrival, they were already present. He was the last to come into the scene. He did not labor for their existence neither did he acquire them. He was just there...

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