Stewardship Lessons From God's Steward LeadersSample

A Steward Leader By His Life Shows Christ To The World

Here are a few illustrations that show that Sundar Singh lived what he preached.

Once, he was preaching in a public market when a fanatic from a different religion suddenly punched his right cheek. Calmly, Sundar turned his left cheek towards the assailant. The attacker left. But that night Sundar received a message from the attacker asking for forgiveness. 

On another occasion, Sundar told some harvesters about the parable of the weeds. They became annoyed and cursed him. One of them threw a stone at Sundar's head. At that instant, the stone thrower was struck by such a painful headache that he had to lie down on the ground. Without hesitations, Sundar took over that man's chore and helped them harvest the crops. They soon became friendly to him and invited him home. Their hearts were then open to the Gospel. The next day after Sundar left, they noticed that their harvest became more abundant. 

On one of his Himalayan journeys in an awful blizzard, he was struggling along with another traveler to reach the next village. In the midst of the storm as they trudged through the deep snow, they saw a man lying apparently dead, by the path. Sundar Singh said to the fellow traveler, "Come, let us carry him to the next village." The traveler was astounded by the proposition and scoffed, "You and I are scarcely likely to save our own lives. It makes no sense to think of carrying a man who is almost dead. I will be no part of your foolishness." So saying, he walked ahead, leaving Sundar Singh with the man who had almost frozen to death. 

Although he showed few signs of life, Sundar Singh would not leave a dying man to perish in the snow storm. He hoisted the limp figure onto his back and wearily and painstakingly trudged through the snow, step by step. The labor and friction involved when carrying a dead weight, such as a man who was almost lifeless, was perhaps the cause for Sundar Singh's own survival in that dreadful storm. 

On the way, Sundar Singh came upon the form of his earlier travel companion lying dead in the snow! The cold had killed him. He had tried to save his own life but had lost it. Sundar Singh, by undertaking an impossible task, which on the surface meant certain death for himself, saved his own life. The strenuous exertion involved saved Sundar Singh's life. By the time he reached the next village, the man on his back revived and thus his life was saved too.

Sundar Singh followed the example of Jesus and repaid evil with kindness and won over his enemies by love. 

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Love is a product of the Holy Spirit in the life of a man or woman that is walking in spirit and truth. It is a spiritual fruit that is expressed in the life of a spiritual Christian. It has its roots in Christ and is only expressed in a regenerate life, which is in fellowship with the Father.

Do you walk the talk? Do others around you experience the love of Christ who is you?

Quote: “When we show love to others, God’s presence is with us.” – Linda Evans Shepherd

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I may be able to show forth Your love in my life to others around me. Amen