Stewardship of Ministry

Stewardship of Spiritual Gifts & The Ministry
by Jeremy Michael Vess

As Joshua assembled the people, God's faithfulness unfolds, reminding us of His goodness across generations. As Joshua urged Israel to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, we, too, are called to choose Him over worldly gods...

“Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.
Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt. “ ‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. But they cried to the Lord for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them.

 You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time. “ ‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land. When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand. “ ‘Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings.
You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’ “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!”
Joshua 24:1-16 NIV

In Corinthians, Paul emphasizes diverse spiritual gifts bestowed by the same Holy Spirit. Our uniqueness contributes to the body of Christ, fostering unity amid diversity. Let's embrace our roles, understanding that each gift serves the common good.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.  1 CORINTHIANS 12: 4-11

To be good stewards, treat the Church as a gift, extending its essence to your home. Actively engage in frequent fellowship and communion, for in Hebrews, we're urged not to neglect meeting together, positioning ourselves for praise, service, and miracles.

“…do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:25

Learn from the parable in Luke: show up, be present, and invite others to partake in the feast. Serving wholeheartedly, not as “tourists” but rather as an active community of believers that represent a house of the Lord and a family of God.

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. Luke 14:23

Position yourself in Christ, practice your gifts, and remember Ephesians 2:6 – that you are seated with Him in heavenly realms. Embrace spiritual disciplines, like laying hands on the sick or displaying acts of faith.

Use the gifts that God has given us as the body of Christ: Lay hands on the sick. Prophecy. Speak in tongues. Show hospitality. Be a leader. Give messages of wisdom and messages of knowledge. Display acts of faith. Heal the sick and display signs and wonders that a follower of Jesus should show. Discern between spirits but don’t be suspicious.

Give generously. Generosity, including tithing, is a tangible expression of faith. As you steward material blessings, extend the same principle to spiritual gifts, viewing them as entrusted by God, not owned.

Forgive readily, maintain peace, and heed Psalm 90:12, numbering your days for wisdom. In doing so, you cultivate a heart aligned with God's purpose. May this devotional guide you in stewarding spiritual gifts faithfully.

Recap & Application:

1. Treat the Church body as a gift and your home as an extension of the Church and house of ministry.

2. Show up & Be Present.
 (position yourself for praise, service and miracles)

3. Serve.  
Don't be a "tourist"

4. Take your position in Christ and Practice your Spiritual Gifts.

5. Give Generously and Learn the discipline and benefits of Tithing.
Prosperity is measured by how much we give, not by how much we keep.

6. FORGIVE QUICKLY AND OFTEN & STRIVE TO MAINTAIN THE BOND OF PEACE

7. NUMBER YOUR DAYS
PSALM 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.