Stewardship
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
The Baptist Faith and Message statement about stewardship opens with three significant sentences: “God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others.”
In previous weeks Theology 101 has focused on the responsibility to be faithful in the use of time and material possessions. This week our attention is drawn to the matter of stewardship of talents. Some human abilities seem to be inborn as God-given talents or the ability to perform in some ways that are above the norm. While we may develop and enhance such talents, they are among God’s good gifts. Consequently, God expects us to use or manage these talents in ways that honor Him and help others. We often think of talents in terms of artistic abilities or extraordinary craftsmanship. God-honoring stewards have chosen to use their talents for good rather than making them channels of sinful influence or indulgence.
Somewhat in the same category as native talents but essentially different are the abilities the Bible terms spiritual gifts. In fact, the Bible uses two different terms in referring to such abilities. One term is built on the word for spirit (pneuma) and is rendered into English as spiritual gifts. A different term is built on the word for grace (charis) and could be rendered grace gifts. This term gives us the descriptive adjective charismatic.
This twin terminology serves to remind us that such gifts are in a different category from natural or inborn talents. There is something supernatural about spiritual or charismatic gifts. That supernatural difference is a matter of God’s grace and His enabling Holy Spirit. Several gift list samplings are found in the New Testament in Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 28–30; and Ephesians 4:7–12.
Whether we are dealing with God’s gifts or our talents, we are to be good and faithful stewards of their use. These are not badges to be worn in order to show others how godly or spiritual we are, neither are they given for one’s personal enjoyment or reputation enhancement. These are not signs that point to our spiritual superiority over others.
Rather, God’s grace gifts are for use in serving Him through performing some ministry for the sake of Christ’s body, the Church.
For God’s glory
The presence of God-given talents or Spirit-inspired gifts become reasons for humble devotion to God and faithful stewardship unto Him, knowing that ultimately our accountability is to Him as the sovereign source of all we have, including talents and gifts. As stated in the Baptist Faith and Message, both native talents and special grace gifts are to be used “for the glory of God and for helping others.”
Rather than being considered evidences of spiritual superiority, God’s gifts and talents bestowed on His children are accompanied by an exacting stewardship. Jesus expressed it like this: “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48b).
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
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