The Stewardship Of Fasting
By J. G. Morrison
Stewardship means that we owe somebody something. The very word "steward" from ancient times till now, has possessed the significance, first that something has been granted for which that person designated as a steward is responsible.
Secondly, such a responsible person must some day give an account to the one who made him a steward for the things over which he exercised control and responsibility.
A steward of goods, properties or money, must primarily care for them, protect them, invest them, keeping a careful record, and then some day give an account to the one who made him a steward, for that entrusted to him.
But money, property and goods are not the only things that have been entrusted to God’s people.
He has entrusted to us opportunities, talents, enablements and impowerments of various kinds. Over these He has made us stewards. For the use and investment of these we are also responsible.
For the faithful discharge of this stewardship we are one day to give an account. We owe it to God to invest every one of these bestowments. The Scriptures plainly teach that for such investment we must give a solemn account at the judgment. (See Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Matthew 25:14-30).
As an illustration, notice what a marvelous bestowment is one’s ability to pray. The Scripture has declared that its influence is without knowable limits. Read statements like these:
"Again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19).
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:13,14).
"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
Does this not bestow upon every one of God’s genuine children a stewardship of prayer for the investment and use of which we are held responsible, and for which we must some day give an account? Such an accountability must cover not only what we actually did bring to pass through prayer, but it must also include an accounting for what we might have accomplished as well.
In a similar way we desire to set forth the stewardship of fasting. It is our belief that God has bestowed upon us the ability, the opportunity, the privilege and the duty of fasting and that this is an obligation for which we are responsible, and for which some day we must give an account.
We believe that when God’s people sincerely fast, it enables God to do what otherwise He cannot do. It places something in His hands that enables Him to release power that otherwise He cannot release (Matthew 17:19-21).
Friend, what about your stewardship of fasting? Do you not owe it to God to fast? Will He not require an account of this at the Judgment?
Not only will the Lord inquire about the times we did fast, but will He not also ask about the times that we could have done so if we had really cared?
Is it not possible that we shall find when we reach the great day of reckoning, that there are souls lost, even loved ones who might have been saved if we had done our reasonable best and released God upon the home, the church, the nation and the age by fasting-prayer?
God has a way for His people to do His work effectively and mightily. It is the way of sacrifice, a way of devotion, a way of heroism.
When we choose our own indolent, easy, comfortable way, then we prevent Him from accomplishing what otherwise He would bring to pass. But when we choose His way, then He can work --His miracles and marvels to perform!
Who, then, is willing to do God’s work in God’s way?