PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 24:45-51
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household.” (Matthew 24:45)
Adam and Eve were the servants put in charge of the Master’s household.
They were to put in the garden “to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15)
This includes any children God would give them, along with the rest of creation.
When the Master comes to visit (Genesis 3:8f), what does He find?
I apply this passage to all humans; all will be judged on how we were as stewards.
But this also applies even more to God’s specially called servants.
Israel in the OT, and Jesus followers in the NT; we are chosen for a purpose.
Our purpose is not to be saved, but to work with Jesus in saving and serving others.
Our resources (time, talents, treasures) are what He gives us to fulfill this task.
“It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:46)
Each of us needs to figure out how we are doing this in the context of our own lives.
Jesus makes it clear that it matters how we use our gifts, and how we serve others.
Am I judgmental, hurtful, abusive, selfish, or do I ignore the needs of others?
Positively, am I sharing, caring, helping, encouraging; in short, a blessing to others?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to consider what I do – or fail to do – today in light of this question: am I fulfilling my calling as a steward in Your household?
We are presented with opportunities to serve everyday.
It may be as simple as pointing someone in the right direction, towards an available resource.
It may be lending a helping hand to a neighbour recovering from an injury.
Dropping a box of groceries at the food bank.
Words of encouragement or prayer during a difficult time.
We have all been blessed with talents of sorts, and so we are called to recognize and use these talents when opportunities arise.
On the mission field, sometimes we felt that in living there so much time is given to just surviving, living in another culture – especially without the convenience of supermarkets. It felt like just staying healthy there gets in the way of doing our ‘mission’. Do I waste a lot of time caring for my possessions, for my yard, for family things – that it takes away from my ‘service-to-the-Lord’ ? We realize that it’s in the day-to-day living in another culture – you also bear witness. Yes, we can be taking too much time for personal things – but we need balance. But we can also commit that the things we do for family and as I go about doing things like grocery shopping, going to the hardware store or to the garage – they too are points of witness. So it should not be either/or. When we learned that in the mission field – we took our time as we interacted with people at the market – some opened up to us. It was part of the mission – part of our stewardship of sharing the gospel!
This is my Father’s world. I need to remind myself of that each day as I serve Him in times like these. I need to dress myself with His armour and follow His leading given by His Spirit. Jesus is the answer. May I continue to be faithful in all things. May other see You in me as I continue to serve You and pray that Your Kingdom may come. Ever watchful.
This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.