Abiding Faith: Jesus Christ said in order to be one of His disciples a man must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. Once a man becomes a follower, Christ makes him a disciple. A disciple of Christ is one who is saved by and in submission to Christ’s Lordship and is a learner of His teaching. After Christ makes one a disciple He gives them a small amount of responsibility or stewardship. A steward is one who has been assigned a level of responsibility for the Master’s property – while being held accountable by the Master. Once a disciple has been proven to be a faithful and obedient steward over small things, Christ makes him a steward over more things. It is a great blessing for God to assign one of His disciples greater responsibility. It is blinding ignorance and biblical blasphemy to think that a person can be a steward of The Lord’s house, people, or ministry who is not and/or refuses to be a disciple of Christ. The bottom line – To be a good leader you must first be a good follower. To be a steward you must first be a disciple. YOU CAN’T BE A STEWARD IF YOU WON’T BE A DISCIPLE. YOU CAN’T LEAD IF YOU WON’T FOLLOW.