Ministers Compared to Stewards

    MINISTERS COMPARED TO STEWARDS

    MINISTERS COMPARED TO STEWARDS

    "Who is a faithful Steward" &c., Lu 12:42.

    "Let men so account of us as the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in Stewards, that a man be found faithful," 1Co 4:1-2.

    STEWARD, stewardship, the original, oixonomia, [1] rendered in 1Co 9:17, dispensation, properly signifieth the administration of household business, whereof one taketh such and such care, and doth so dispose thereof, as that he appointeth every one what they are to do.

    [1] Leigh's Crit. Sacr.

    Note, true Gospel Ministers are Stewards, spiritual Stewards, Stewards of God.

    METAPHOR

    I. A Steward is an officer that principally belongs to great men; few, besides rich and noble persons, have Stewards of their houses.

    PARALLEL

    I. So true Gospel-Ministers, or pastors, are officers that belong to Christ's house, who is a great Prince, nay, King of heaven and earth.

    METAPHOR

    II. A Steward is a person that hath a great trust and charge reposed in him; many rich and excellent things are committed to his care and oversight, sometimes all the goods of the house, and charge of the family.

    PARALLEL

    II. So faithful Ministers have a mighty trust reposed in them; the Lord Jesus hath committed to their care and charge things of very great worth and value, even all the goods of his house. 1. They are entrusted with the truth, and every branch and part of it, called the mysteries of God, which is of inestimable value. 2. The whole Church; they have the care and charge of the whole family or household of God. 3. They have the care and charge of men's souls committed to them. See Watchmen.

    METAPHOR

    III. It behoveth a steward to be faithful in all things, seeking the honour of his Lord: they ought to be much in their business, not leaving it to others, that are not experienced in it, nor careful to look after it; nor leave their master's business, to mind and look after their own.

    PARALLEL

    III. So ought every Minister of Christ to be faithful in all things, wholly studying the profit, honour, and interest of the Lord Jesus. They ought continually to be about his affairs, not leave the management of the Church, and concerns of the ministry, like some self-seeking priests of our days, to others, who are unexperienced, negligent, and worse; to follow their own concerns, and living in ease and pleasure, pursuing after the riches and vanities of the world, mattering not whether Christ be honoured or no, or whether his interest sink or swim, so that things go well with them, and they thrive in the world. There are too many such in this day, so that we may well say with the apostle, "All seek their own, and none the things that are Jesus Christ's."

    METAPHOR

    IV. Stewards give direction to all inferior officers, and others in the family, about their respective work and business.

    PARALLEL

    IV. So Ministers give directions to the deacons, and other members of Christ's Church, how to discharge their duties in their respective places, &c.

    METAPHOR

    V. Stewards must expect to be called to an account, and if unfaithful, are frequently put out of their stewardship: "Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer Steward," Lu 16:2.

    PARALLEL

    V. So all the Ministers of Christ must expect to be called to an account. The time is coming, when Christ will reckon with them; and happy will they be, that have their accounts to give up with joy, to whom the Lord Jesus will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," &c.