![]() ![]() They must be true to the interest of their Lord, and consult his honour. They must teach what he hath commanded, and not the doctrines and commandments of men. They must not feed them with the chaff of their own inventions, instead of the wholesome food of Christian doctrine and truth. They must not require any thing from them without their Master's warrant. They must not set their fellow-servants to work for themselves. The stewards in Christ's family must appoint what he hath appointed. When they did their duty in it, and approved themselves faithful: It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful ( ), trustworthy. They did not set up for masters, but they deserved respect and esteem in this honourable service. They were stewards of God's household, high-stewards in his kingdom of grace. They had a great trust, and for that reason had an honourable office. Though they are but stewards, they are not stewards of the common things of the world, but of divine mysteries. The character and dignity of their master put an honour on them. Apostles were not to be undervalued for, though they were ministers, they were ministers of Christ. ![]() They had no authority to propagate their own fancies, but to spread Christian faith. For even apostles were but servants of Christ, employed in his work, and sent on his errand, and dispensers of the mysteries of God, or those truths which had been hidden from the world in ages and generations past. Note, It is a very great abuse of their power, and highly criminal in common ministers, to lord it over their fellow-servants, and challenge authority over their faith or practice. They were servants of Christ, and no more, though they were servants of the highest rank, that had the care of his household, that were to provide food for the rest, and appoint and direct their work. Not to be overvalued, for they were ministers, not masters stewards, not lords. In our opinion of ministers, as well as all other things, we should be careful to avoid extremes. The apostle challenges the respect due to him on account of his character and office, in which many among them had at least very much failed: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God ( ), though possibly others might have valued them too highly, by setting him up as the head of a party, and professing to be his disciples. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. ![]() 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 4 For I know nothing by myself yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1Cor 4:6 | MHC | STEP | The Stewardship of the Apostles. ![]()
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