3月3日；
哥林多前书 4:1-5；
唱诗：赞美诗 64:1,4；

人应当以我们为基督的执事，为神奥秘事的管家。（林前 4:1）

今天的这部分经文—— NIV版本翻译为 “被交托神隐秘之事的人”——在原文中更紧凑（紧凑有啥用？）。RSV版本给出的翻译是：“神奥秘之事的管家”，并在接下来的经文中重复了“管家”这个词：“并且，所求于管家的，是要他有忠心。”。

在保罗的时代，有许多管家，他们的任务是打理主人的财产。他们的位置是需要信任的重要岗位，不是随便可以给哪个人的。一个管家必须保持良好的服侍记录，才能被允许掌管所有的财产。

这是一个要求信任的特权位置，这让我们想起了在波提乏家里的约瑟（创 39:4）。不过，腐败的管家也并不罕见，想想在路加福音16章中，主所说的精明管家的比喻。

在今天的经文中，保罗所指的管家，是那些在教会中给予特殊任务和职务的人。管家是神的信任和福音的守护者。作为神的仆人，他们必须小心地保护和宣讲真理。

而在神使我们委身的教会中，我们都是管家（彼前 4:10）。今天的管家也必须知道，所有的一切都属于神，我们是要对神负责的。我们是否智慧地使用时间？是否合理地花钱？是否先求神的国？我们的品行是否值得信任？当别人观察我们的生活时，他们是否会赞美神？今天我们可以做什么来使人荣耀神？

思考问题：管家在日常生活中的作用是什么？在教会中的作用是什么？我们如何实践“奥秘”管家的职责？

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March 3
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Song: Hymn 64:1,4

STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.”（1 Corinthians 4:1)

The part of today's text that is translated in the NIV with "those entrusted with the secret things of God" is much more compact in the original. The RSV offers this translation: "stewards of the mysteries of God”and repeats the word"stewards" in the following verse: "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."

In Paul's time, there were many stewards whose task was to run their masters 'estates. Theirs was an important position of trust that could not be given to just anyone. A steward had to maintain an excellent record of service for he had access to and control over the entire estate.

It was a privileged position that required trust.We are reminded also of Joseph in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:4). Yet it was not uncommon for stewards to be corrupt. Think of the parable of the Lord about the shrewd manager, as found in Luke 16.

In today's passage, Paul is referring to stewards as those who have been given a special task or office in the church. Stewards are keepers of the divine trust, the Gospel. As servants of God they must carefully preserve and proclaim the truth.

Yet we are all stewards in the place where God has placed us (1 Peter 4:10). Stewards today must also know that all things belong to God. We are responsible to him. Do we fill our time wisely? Do we spend our money properly? Do we seek first the Kingdom of God? Are we trustworthy in our conduct? When others observe our lifestyle, will they praise God? What can we do today that will lead others to glorify God?

Questions: What is the function of a steward in daily life? In the church? How can we exercise stewardship over a "mystery" ?