It's How You Use It

Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴⁶Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁷Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ ⁴⁹and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, ⁵⁰the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. ⁵¹He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51

This passage comes from the end of the gospel of Matthew among a series of apocalyptic and end-times parables and sayings. At this level, Jesus' words remind us all that we must be prepared for the second coming and because we will never when this will happen, we must live our lives faithfully. This kind of discourse was extremely popular in Jesus' day as many believed the end of the world was imminent. But, Jesus' words have meaning beyond warning us of the end, they also speak powerfully to our calling to be stewards of God's creation,


A steward is a caretaker of property who has been entrusted by the owner. This parable depicts slaves, or stewards, who are put in charge of the master's household while the master is away. The slaves have a choice: do want they would normally do if the master were home, or do whatever they want. Jesus says: "blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he arrives." While certainly we would all seek to avoid being cut into pieces and the weeping and gnashing of teeth, there are deeper and more rewarding reasons to work while the master is away.


God has entrusted us with all of creation. God has given each of us gifts, talents, and passions. How we use these gifts is our choice. We can use them for our selfish purposes or squander them. We are free to do this. Or we can use what we have been given to further God's work in the world. When we understand ourselves to be stewards of our gifts, rather than owners, we will be compelled to use them for God's work.


When we see ourselves as stewards, we understand we have a larger purpose in God's work in the world. We find our meaning and purpose by activating our gifts and talents for human need. This is good stewardship. This is why we were created. Not to avoid punishment, but to participate in the gracious, merciful and beautiful work of God in the world. We were made for this and God is counting on us. The choice is yours.


Prayer: Lord, help me to use the gifts you have given me for your work in the world. Help me move beyond my own selfish desires and self-imposed limitations and see my role in your redeeming work in the world. Use me Lord as your instrument of love, grace, and mercy in Jesus' name, AMEN.