March 07 - Stewardship and Direction

Oliver Wendell Homes, credited with this statement, I quote, "I find the greatest thing in the world is not so much where we stand as to what direction we are going". As we look in the direction of where we are going with God, Church and the Church body of The First Presbyterian Church in Prattville, every Christian must examine himself on where each stands and more important on the direction we are going on being stewards of all things God has entrusted us. In other words, how are we as stewards managing the things that belong to God? We must remember that all we have belongs to God. We own nothing. God owns it all.

To be stewards of God, our direction must be, to do what God wants us to do, as God wants it done. In Ephesians 4: 11-13, Paul makes reference to six (6) things that we must do in being stewards of God.

" Accept your Gift - Each of us has our own unique gift from God. You can do something that no other person can do. Use it to the service of God.

" Equip Yourself - Equip yourself to use the gift that God has given you.

" Work By Serving - Look at your hands. What have you done with your hands to serve God's Church? Are they the hands of serving?

" Build up the Body of Christ - We must build each other up rather than tear each other down. The last thing we need is judgmental criticism; what we need is encouragement.

" Obtain Unity - All must agree with no divisions among us. God wants us to all pull in one direction.

" Mature in Christ - What are you doing to become mature in Christ?

As we look to the year 2006 and the future of First Presbyterian Church, Prattville, we must each examine ourselves of how we are to use the three (3) things that God has given each of us in this life, Our Time, Our Talents, and our Treasures. Not in where we stand, but in what direction we are going with each.

- Roger Tinsley