OCTOBER 2, 2013 · 7:16 AM Stewardship of Talent and Treasure Rick Ashley, in his book Sinai Summit , tells the story of an American Jew visiting the land of his parents. He went to visit the famous teacher Rabbi Chaim. When the American entered the home of the Rabbi, he was amazed at the stark living conditions. All that Chaim had was a table, a bench, and a little pallet. Shocked, the visitor asked, “Rabbi, where is all your furniture.” Chaim responded to his guest, “Where is all your furniture?” The tourist answered, ““I don’t have any furniture with me. I’m just traveling through.” To which the famous teacher replied, “So am I.” Aren’t we all just traveling through? Aren’t we all here temporarily? Aren’t we all sojourners in another land making our way home? Intellectually, we know the right answers to those questions. But emotionally, we seem to want everything we can accumulate in this “brief visit.” Paul correctly stated by inspiration, “we brought nothing into the this world, and we can take nothing out of it.” Yet, it is difficult for us to totally accept. This week we have been thinking about stewardship. It is a Bible concept that says, “God is the owner. I am the manager.” Biblical stewardship is a lifestyle. An attitude. A willingness to surrender to God. To give the best of everything. And the first of everything. Stewardship applies to my time. My talents. and my treasure. And it begins with an attitude of love. Love for God. And love for others. An understanding that we not just put here to consume resources. But to contribute. To give. To share. Jesus’ parable of the talents speaks to the principle and purpose of stewardship (Matt 25:14-29). A “talent” was literally a large unit of money. Depending of whether it was a gold or silver talent, I could have been worth anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000 in US dollars. Three men were given various amounts of money based on their ability by the wealthy Master. One man was given five talents. Another two talents. And the third man one talent. The Master left on a business trip and entrusted the servants with his resources. The first was ambitious. Resourceful. And shrewd. He turned his five talents into ten. The second man was less gifted, but nevertheless doubled his master money from two talents to four. When the Master he returned to settled accounts with these servants, he commend these two men. They were called “good and faithful servants.” They were applauded. And rewarded for their excellent stewardship. But the third man, with his single talent, dug a hole in the ground, hid his Master’s money. And did nothing. When he came to give account of his stewardship, he returned the talent saying, “I was afraid.” He excused himself by rationalizing that the Master was demanding, incredibly successful and able to “reap where he had never sown seed.” And the servant returned the single talent. The Master was angry with this one talent man. He called him “wicked and lazy.” He said he could have at the very least put the money in the bank and drawn a little interest. As a result this man was condemned and punished. There many lessons to be learned about stewardship in this story. But these are apparent. God expects us to use our time effectively and efficiently . To make the most of the ability we’ve been given. To utilize and leverage our earthly treasure wisely, prudently and productively. “When God writes opportunity on one side of the door.” wrote an unknown author, “he writes responsibility on the other side.” As you travel through life, how are you spending your time? Exercising your talent? And using your treasure? God gives you the opportunities. Faithful stewardship demands responsibility. –Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 18:12:44 +0000
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