INTRODUCTION: A steward is one who is put in charge of something that does not belong to him. See Luke 16:1-7 [1] And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. [2] And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. [3] Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. [4] I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. [5] So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? [6] And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. [7] Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
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1. HIS ACCOUNTING (1 Corinthians 4:1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
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1. As the Ministers of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
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2. As Stewards of the Mysteries of God (Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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2. HIS REQUIREMENT (1 Corinthians 4:2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
   See All...): Faithfulness
1. The Need for Faithfulness (Psalm 12:1Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
   See All...; Proverbs 20:6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
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2. The Example for Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
   See All...; 2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
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3. The Work of Faithfulness (Matthew 24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
   See All...; Luke 16:10-12 [10] He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. [11] If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? [12] And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
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4. The Blessings for Faithfulness (Proverbs 28:20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
   See All...; Matthew 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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3. HIS JUDGMENT (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 [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. [4] For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
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1. Not of Men (1 Corinthians 4:3But 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.
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2. Not of Himself (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 [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. [4] For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
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3. But of God (1 Corinthians 4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
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4. HIS PRAISE (1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore 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.
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1. Judge Nothing Before the Time
2. God will Judge All When He Comes
1. The hidden things of darkness
2. The counsels of the heart
3. Then All Men Will Have Their Praise in God
5. HIS HUMILITY (1 Corinthians 4:6-7 [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. [7] For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
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1. By Application to Paul and Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6And 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.
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1. Learn not to think of men above that which is written
2. Do not be puffed up one against another
2. By Understanding the Gifts of God (1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
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1. Our differences come from God
2. Our gifts come from God
3. No cause to glory in self

CONCLUSION: My earthly father used the gifts given to him by God and though he was a very common man; he left a very uncommon heritage. What are you doing with what God has given you?