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Christ's Example
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (v. 7).
There is an account told about the Civil War general, George B. McClellan. He fancied himself to be a great military leader and enjoyed hearing the people call him “a young Napoleon.” However, his performance was less than sensational. President Lincoln commissioned him General-in-Chief, hoping this would get some action, but still he procrastinated. One evening, Lincoln and two of his staff members went to visit McClellan, only to learn that he was at a wedding. The three men sat down to wait, and an hour later the general arrived home. Without paying attention to the President, McClellan went upstairs and did not return. Half an hour later, Lincoln sent the servant to tell McClellan that the men were waiting. The servant came back to report McClellan had gone to bed!
His associates angry, Lincoln merely got up and led the way home. “This is no time to be making points of etiquette and personal dignity,” the President explained. “I would hold McClellan’s horse if he will only bring us success.” This attitude of humility and willing service helped to make Lincoln a great man and a great President. It is that same attitude which made Christ our perfect example. (Marshall Mosley)
Would you rather have a great reputation or a great reward in heaven?
This devotional is the Sunday, November 8, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Living Selflessly
Lesson 10 - November 8, 2015
Focus Text: Esther 4:7-17
Lesson Outline:
- The Death Threat to the Jews (Esther 4:7-9)
- The Danger of Intervention (Esther 4:10-11)
- The Duty to Serve (Esther 4:12-14)
Biblical Principles of Stewardship
In "Doctrinal Discussion", Dr. Gayle Woods writes:
Stewardship is a broad subject that essentially means the oversight and preservation of resources. When people speak of stewardship, they may be speaking about global warming, the stewardship of natural resources, the stewardship of time, the stewardship of the assets in a business, the stewardship of finances, and so on.
Biblical guidance touches all aspects of stewardship. In looking to the Word of God we discover a number of principles that govern the Christian’s endeavor to be a good steward.
Five principles are then listed...
- God owns everything.
- We are in charge of God's stuff.
- With the responsibility of stewardship comes accountability.
- We must be committed to others.
- Our stewardship has eternal consequences.
Discussion: Which of these principles of stewardship do you think need reinforced most today?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page, 56.
Lesson Highlight: "vessel"
In "Word Focus" Dr. Glenn McClure writes:
Stewardship is the necessary discipline of every human being if life is to have order and meaning. There are two elements in our lesson that help us to see the concept of being faithful stewards. The first is found in the word vessel (vs. 3-6) and, although it does not refer directly to a person here, its meaning symbolizes perfectly the idea of a good steward. The root idea of the Hebrew word vessel (keeliym) is “to bring a process to completion,” that is, a process carried out in full. The word is used of armor, clothing, jewels, instruments, tools, weapons, sacks, furniture, and carriages. It is something prepared to accomplish a particular end. This is how believers should consider themselves — vessels filled or prepared to fulfill a designed purpose.
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 52.
Stewardship of Our Time
Read Ephesians 5:14-21
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (v. 16).
“She looks so young. She can’t possibly be a grandmother!” I thought as I chatted with one of my former high school students. What a shock to learn how many grandchildren she had!
I am often taken aback to realize just how old I am. Perhaps it is because I had no children of my own whose growth would have marked the passing of the years. I don’t like to admit remembering events that happened more than a half century ago. I cringe when I read a news item about an “elderly person” who is younger than I. Elderly? Me? Yes, the majority of my lifespan has come and gone. I am definitely a senior citizen!
Young person or senior, we occasionally need to remember we have been allotted a finite number of days to live on this earth. Let us pray with the psalmist, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (90:12). (Joyce Cooper)
Another day begun!
Lord, grant us grace that we,
Before the setting of the sun,
Redeem the time for Thee.
Another day of toil!
To Thee we yield our powers;
Keep Thou our souls from guilty soil
Through all the passing hours. — John Ellerton
“Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time” (David Brainerd).
This devotional is the Saturday, October 31, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Practicing Careful Stewardship
Lesson 9 - November 1, 2015
Focus Text: 2 Kings 4:1-17
Central Truth: The Christian family views life as a stewardship entrusted by God.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several ways they can be better stewards of the resources with which God has entrusted them.
Lesson Outline:
- Confidence in Trusting God's Heart (2 Kings 4:1-7)
- Concern for Enabling God's Ministry (2 Kings 4:8-10)
- Contentedness in Receiving God's Blessing (2 Kings 4:11-17)