by Roby Ellis
[Scripture Reading: Ezra 7:10]
Introduction
A. Of all the gifts that God has entrusted to human hands, surely the Scriptures are chief among these (Romans 1:16; Psalm 119:105).
B. Are we being good stewards of this precious gift?
I. What is the conduct of a bad steward of God’s Word?
A. A bad steward often will not allow the Word into his heart in the first place (Matthew 13:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
B. A bad steward will allow other things to choke out the Word (Matthew 13:7,22).
C. A bad steward will twist the Word for his own purposes (2 Peter 3:16).
D. A bad steward might preach the Word, but not with the proper motives (Philippians 1:15-18).
II. What is the conduct of a good steward of God’s Word?
A. He receives the Word with an open heart (Acts 2:41; 17:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:13; James 1:21-22).
B. He is obedient to the Word (Matthew 7:21).
C. He shares the Word with others (2 Timothy 2:2).
D. He takes his stand with the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Conclusion
A. Let us not be guilty of hiding this precious blessing the way the unfaithful servant hid his lord’s money in the earth (Matthew 25:24-30).
B. Like Paul, let us consider ourselves stewards of God’s mysteries (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1), and let us take this responsibility seriously!