Apostle Paul addresses Timothy as his “true son in the faith” and gives him a few instructions to carry out as a good steward. Paul had good trust in Timothy in faithfully discharging the duties given to him. The central purpose of First Epistle of Timothy is found in 1Tim.3:15: “…I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” [NKJV Study Bible] The church whose primary duty is accomplishing’s God’s work on the earth needs to be grounded in the truth. Hence Timothy was asked to weed out all false teaching creeping into the church at Ephesus.

As stewards called to serve our Master the Lord Jesus Christ and His purpose unto humanity, we are charged with the responsibility to uphold and defend the authority of His Word—not with swords, man-made weapons or vague arguments, but with His own Word written on the tablet of our hearts. Doing this in love and the demonstration of His instructions, we can silence false doctrines being obedient to fulfill the desire of our Master. In this, we are not called to please ourselves but Him who called us and his desires we must earnestly seek to accomplish in our service as stewards. We must always recognize that it is Christ who called, commissioned and strengthened us to fulfill His purpose in the midst of humanity. Paul knew this well and stated: “I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him.”(Vs.12)

Paul tells Timothy that the purpose of this charge of a faithful steward is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. Those who seek to sow false doctrines in their midst do not have these goals. These men were loveless, legalistic teachers with impure hearts and motives. Instruction without love promotes legalism. [NKJV Study Bible Notes]

There is no steward without a master. Stewards without masters are like well trained and armed soldiers without commanders.  They carry their own instructions and are always tied to what they deem fit for their comfort.  Faithful stewards are called and charged with responsibilities to fulfill the purpose of the Master. Paul‘s admonition to Timothy throws more light on this: As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus. Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people, who will be able to teach others also. Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest. Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will enable you to understand it all. (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

As a good and faithful steward of our Master, let us not follow laws and instructions that are not our Master’s desires but  uphold the principles of His voice and instruction according to His divine purpose with His faithful servants.

Thought- “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”[Luke 16:10 NLT]