CHAPTER 9: THE MYTH OF STEWARDSHIP 2024
The whole world believes it’s right. It’s not right. Everybody in it has a story of how good they are, even in challenging times, people describe how they are a premiere example of correctness. They’re not. Nobody truly believes they’re going to hell, even though very few actually truly believe in Christ. The bible is clear about that.
Jesus doesn’t only reference hell, he describes it in great detail. He says it is a place of eternal torment (Luke 16:23), of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43), where the worm does not die (Mark 9:48), where people will gnash their teeth in anguish and regret…
When Jesus tells us what he will say to those who are going to hell he says, “Then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matt. 7:23). They are workers of “lawlessness.” That is, they break God’s law. Sin is against God first, then man.
I didn’t make it up, I’m just telling you what it says. All people, without the book invent a belief system that is not in line with the book, maybe even with god in it, a version of god also invented, it’s a fact. I know I did it…, I said it, and I was wrong. A rebel is not one who does not believe in God, or one who does not read the Bible. A rebel is a true believer and the world resents every part of anyone who is truly of Christ, fully and completely.
Romans 1
New International Version
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake.
Believers who go to church every Sunday, preachers, teachers, pastors, priests may or may not actually believe everything in the Bible. If a person doesn’t read it every day, it’s easy to fill in the blanks, or listen to somebody else’s idea of spirituality. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s incorrect, however left unchecked, people miss the point most of their lives, and most are still absolutely sure about their place in heaven, based on information put together from numerous sources in the world, rather than the Bible, the only book that has the answer.
Romans 2:19-21
English Standard Version
19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
All the nations of the world have re-organized the concept of God until it is hardly recognizable to any prophet or person that lived in the time of Jesus or 18 centuries before Jesus in the time of Abraham. The Word as read and adhered to by the founding fathers of this nation, those who quoted scripture in stone in our capital, and in colleges across the nation, all of them would be mortified as to what our children do not know about God. The building blocks of America, written in the pledge of allegiance..
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Chapter 9, Myth of Stewardship is a place that resides on the outskirts of town, in a city called, “The Black Forest.” Where lies, untruths, unholy notions are supported, condoned and participated, all in the name of a higher source of spirituality. Beware, lest you fall into the trap.
Psalm 9:17
New King James Version
The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the [a]nations that forget God.
1 Peter 2:16
New International Version
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
Stewardship is a blessing. The myth of stewardship is when somehow, someway, I buy it, a bill of goods that is spoiled, sick, poison. Bamboozling what is God to myself and others, gathering into the club of what is the unrighteous, talking as if I am something, when in fact I am nothing.
James 3:8-14
New American Standard Bible
8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
13 (goes on to say)Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and [c]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
Our example of perfect stewardship? The Word, as it is written.
2 Corinthians 10:5
New International Version
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Where does the myth of stewardship begin? All over the place, it’s an equal opportunity employer. Let’s look at some easy examples. A person banked 1 million dollars in sales. All sounds fabulous! Amazing comes to mind! Really? What is the margin, if any, the tax liability, has it been calculated and set aside? Tithes, has anyone thought of such a thing? Church every Sunday, maybe? What was done while attending? Notes taken, attention paid, study and recap throughout the week? Ministries that need help, chairs, new people, volunteers, prison ministry, street ministry, worship team? Anything like that happening? For a few it is, for many, in the name of “good person,” and a list of important matters that must be tended to, the many walk away from God’s promise, given at the cross in the blood of Christ. The pettiness of the world, even in the supposed belief of Christ is seen so many times, when the blessed throw a twenty into the basket on Sunday, feeling complete about the service one is giving to the church, while talking of the money hungry television pastors, albeit who are crooked to the core, however who have virtually nothing to do with a local church and the responsibilities I have to God in it.
In comparison, how much money is put towards a business? How many 100’s of thousands of dollars are put towards the almighty business? How much debt is justified to grow a business, at what cost to the family? How much time put towards the business, justified as the future. Is the business the future or is God in the future?
Luke 12:19-21
New King James Version
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Evil is a tricky business. It causes perception issues, dissension and division are much more important than what is true many, many times. Selfish, money, prestige, ego, power, a dangerous slippery slope for true Believers. Perceived importance easily is the mother of Myth of Stewardship.
Ephesians 5:15-17
New International Version
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Proverbs 5:21
New International Version
For your ways are in full view of the Lord,
and he examines all your paths.
People who are in trouble simply want to get out of trouble and get back to being important. Without changing dangerous personality traits, the original set of problems will be repeated. Arrogance, indignant and entitlement plague most CEO’s. It is an invisible assassin and will ultimately cause an interruption in what could’ve been a dazzling show of God’s blessings. The unfortunate end is negligence, immaturity and the worst, indignation. The myth of stewardship is just that, an incorrect assessment of oneself. Not a steward at all, rather a prisoner of self will run riot. Without accountability corruption will surely prevail. Behavior is the only reason cash flow is positive or negative. As captured by the 19th century British politician Lord Acton “Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Without correct checks and balances a foolish nature prevails, always.”
The consequences for incorrect assessments is the squander of God’s blessings. Transversely, winners who take Stewardship to heart believe in “justified by faith”, “made righteous by God”, “sanctification..”, if those words mean something to you, conversation will be different, relationships and wisdom will become authentic, acceptance in God’s directives and a sincere desire to work will yield “a peace beyond all understanding”. Philippians 4:7 Yielding to correctness. Realizing I am not the resource, God is the resource.
Luke 12:15
New International Version
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
The Myth of Stewardship is a tool used precisely by the enemy to ruin. Without constant training and awareness.., I may ‘THINK’ I’m doing a good job, when I think that, I’m in dangerous waters.
John 10:10
New International Version
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The myth of stewardship is clearly fueled by ego, arrogance, lack of humility or a broken heart, yes, a broken heart can cause such mayhem. Angry at God for the horrors that happen in this world. Understandably, and very hard to fight against. However, the Myth, generally finds it’s victims wanting credit, power, prestige — perhaps forgetting to the compass heading given to each of us, by the Lord, giving all credit to the Lord, not some of it, or part of it, all of it.
2 Peter 1:5-8
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I’m sure Judas thought he was doing a good job when he turned Christ over to the authorities. I’m sure Pharaoh thought he was a great steward to Egypt, in his decision not let the Israelites free, I’m sure King Saul thought himself justified in disobeying the Lord and I’m sure David felt himself a good steward to Israel when he stole Bathsheba from her husband, Uriah, the Hittite. All, realizing too late, the error of fraud, myth of Stewardship, the lie of importance. We must stay ever vigilant. I remember back in the day, the rock-band “The Who,” reminds me of this chapter. Written way back in June 1971, but ever so mindful of today. Dig these lyrics.
“I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play….
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again”
2 Corinthians 2:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Pay attention my friends.., be aware. Pray for America, Israel and for revival, knowing full heartedly that scripture says these things will happen before Christ comes.
2 Timothy 3:2
King James Version
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Don’t kid yourself about how you got where you are, or who has the power to move you correctly. Paul warns all of us, clarifying Chapter 9 for me, in the following scripture as he was bound and shackled in prison writing to the Philippians.
Philippians 1:15-18
New International Version
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
So what exactly is the myth of stewardship? Simply put, in a word.
“Poison..”
“It’s much easier to pay attention, don’t you think, how do I call it like it is, truthfully, honestly, when I see it a different way?” How do I do that? Great question, I’ve asked it of myself and so far this is the best answer I’ve got…
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
English Standard Version
9 But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.[a]
Long story short
Psalm 46:10
New International Version
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
That about sums it up.., chapter 9 the myth of stewardship 2024, Amen.
