“… of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,”

Paul may have been the apostle to the Gentiles, but he regards himself as a servant of the church. He does not lord it over the Christians or think highly of himself. He is a servant of Christ, who has been given a task to do by God, which he is accountable for. He has been given the task and the message that he is preaching, according to the will of God that the Word of God might be fulfilled.

Paul takes his position very seriously, and has suffered much because of it. He is very earnest to be a good steward of the task in hand and to fulfil all the word of God as to what is required of him. He takes no reward from any person, but supports his ministry with his own labour, lest he deflect funds from those who need them. He works with his hands to make his living and works out the service to the Lord in that also.

He is a minister of the church and a preacher of the gospel. These two tasks go hand in hand, for the message of the gospel must go out if people are to be saved. The preacher and teacher cannot just focus on one aspect of the work, but support the people of God and reach out to others who do not know Him. The gospel must not be forgotten, and God will use whoever is willing to ensure that does not happen.

The message is powerful and effectual and can bring souls to a place of belief in God and lives of power and service.

“For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.”

Romans 1:18

Paul’s dedication to the cause of Christ to the Gentiles people, is seen in this book so clearly. He lifts up the Lord Jesus that we might see Him clearly and what He has done for us, is the whole purpose of the life of Paul, and the life of every Christian. The more clearly we see Christ, the greater our devotion. The more clearly the gospel is preached, the greater the spiritual harvest of souls.

Paul is investing his time well and laying up his treasure in heaven. It certainly is not in this world! He is a good steward of his life, for he is investing it in the purposes and ways of the Lord his God and not in himself. Our stewardship of our time and effort should be patterned after the example of Paul, and we also will bear spiritual fruit to God.