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Stewardship of Evangelism |
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The Stewardship Commission has been studying the
meaning of stewardship. "The 33 Laws of Stewardship", a book we are
using for that purpose says "The 'portfolio' for which we are
responsible includes a wide range of components, and God's expectation is
that we make the most of each one. Think of all the 'assets' you have under
management: your money, your time, your possessions, your opportunities, your
influence, your relationships and much more. And to this long list can be added
the spiritual assets with which we are entrusted: the Gospel of Christ, the
mystery of godliness, the secret things of God." This really stretched
my view of stewardship. Perhaps it will do the same for you. |
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Added to this is a transliteration of a lesson
from Our Daily Bread as follows: |
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Henry left his house for church one Sunday just as
his neighbor was loading his golf clubs into his car. "Henry", the
neighbor called, "come play golf with me today," Henry answered
firmly, "I always go to church on the Lord's Day." After a pause
the golfer said, "You know, Henry, I've often wondered about your church
and I really admire your faithfulness. But I've invited you to play golf with
me seven or eight times, and you've never invited me to go to church with
you." |
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Ouch! To all the "Henry's" in today's
church, Jesus gives the same challenge He gave to the Pharisees: "I
desire mercy and not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). In other words He wants
us to show mercy and love to those who need salvation, not just go through
the motions of our own religious beliefs. Jesus further explained His mercy
by saying, "I did not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to
repentance." |
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Consider the destiny in the after life of people
without Christ. Let this stir us to compassion greater than our comfortable
routine or our fear of rejection. Pray for several people or families near
you and ask God to love them through you. Earn the right through friendship
to invite them to church. Pray for the grace to do so without putting a guilt
trip on them. |
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We are to be God's ambassadors to the world that
doesn't know Him. In so doing we become good stewards of the wonderful gift
of salvation He has so richly given us. |
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The Stewardship Commission |
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