The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Stewardship as “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”. The word Ministry on the other hand is from the Greek word diakoneo, which means to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon, to serve as a slave.

According to the Hendricks Center of the Dallas Theological Seminary in the USA, “most of us think of ministry as the work done by pastors, missionaries, Christian conference speakers, or evangelists. We rarely think of work done by bankers, lawyers, engineers, or homemakers as Ministry. We typically believe that those who get their paychecks from a church or other Christian organization are the ones who ‘do’ ministry, while the rest of us are those to whom ministry is ‘done’. This is a common but faulty way of thinking. We need to expand our vision of ministry so that we come to view all we do, regardless of our occupation, as what it can and ought to be—ministry that glorifies God and influences other people. The Hendricks Centre goes on to define ministry as the faithful service of God’s people rendered unto God and others on His behalf to bring Him glory, build up His church, and reach out to His world.”

We typically believe that those who get their paychecks from a church or other Christian organization are the ones who ‘do’ ministry, while the rest of us are those to whom ministry is ‘done’. This is a common but faulty way of thinking

The practical implication of such a holistic view of ministry is that one way or the other, you and I are involved in Ministry and we should see what we do as a platform to serve both God and man. No wonder the Bible says in Colossians 3:23 that “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men”. This scripture captures a vital point concerning Stewardship in Ministry and that is the fact that whatever we do with our God-given platform in terms of service or ministry is ultimately a service unto God and not to men and this means that God is the one who will ultimately judge whether we were faithful in the discharge of our ministry or not. The apostle Paul eloquently stated this in 2 Corinthians 4:2-4 where he said, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord”. It is God who judges everyone whether we are faithful or not.

However, it is worthy of note that for some people their Ministry is specifically to the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” These individuals amongst others, who have been saddled with the responsibility of perfecting the saints and edifying the body of Christ in one way or the other must remember the word of Jesus in Luke 12:48b where He said, “to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more”.

For each of us, whether we are called into a general form of Ministry or a specific ministry to the body of Christ, we must never forget that our service is primarily unto the Lord and he is the ultimate judge of our level of faithfulness. We must remember that we are servants and God is our Master. We are not here on earth to serve our own interests or to win the applause of men; we are here to please God, our master and that must remain our focus no matter what. If our service is unto men alone with no bearing on eternity, then we are of all men most miserable. Jesus, speaking in Mathew 7:21-23, made us realize that it is possible to carry out exploits before men and still be outside of God’s will when He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

For each of us, whether we are called into a general form of Ministry or a specific ministry to the body of Christ, we must never forget that our service is primarily unto the Lord and he is the ultimate judge of our level of faithfulness.

Furthermore, Ezekiel 44:10-16 paints a picture of two kinds of ministers, a first category concerning whom God said in verses 13 and 14, “And they shall not come near me to minister to me as a priest, nor come near any of my holy things nor into the most holy place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed. Nevertheless, I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it”. Then there is a second group concerning whom God said in verse 15 of the same scripture: “But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,” says the Lord God.” “Nevertheless, I will make them keep charge of the temple” is a scary statement that I pray the Lord will never have to say concerning you and me.

You and I must make a personal decision to carry out whatever assignment the Lord has committed into our hands in such a way that the Lord would adjudge us Faithful Stewards.

In conclusion, let us take some time to reflect on our main text above, Colossians 4:17, where the apostle Paul says to Archippus and to us by extension, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you”. Every ministry, whether in the marketplace or place of worship is given by the Lord and this text serves as a warning to each of us to take heed, be sure, be careful, pay attention, and take nothing for granted if we are to truly fulfill or carry out the ministry the Lord has assigned to us in a manner acceptable to Him. You and I must make a personal decision to carry out whatever assignment the Lord has committed into our hands in such a way that the Lord would adjudge us Faithful Stewards. On that glorious day may we hear the sweet words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” as we appear before our master and king, Amen!