April 3, 2024
And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant: because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. Luke 19:17, NKJV
In Luke 19:11-27, we encounter the parable of the Ten Minas. The nobleman entrusted his servants with money to invest while he embarked on a journey. Upon his return, he rewarded the productive servants and penalized the one who neglected to invest his mina. Notably, the servants received varying amounts of minas, yet each had the same opportunity to utilize them.
Whether you're a President, stay-at-home parent, executive, or leader, we're all allocated exactly twenty-four hours per day. As Christians, biblical stewardship beckons us to regard each day the Lord has granted us as a valuable opportunity to bring Him glory!
Good stewardship entails effectively managing the resources entrusted to us by God, including our time, talents, finances, or gifts. It reflects our beliefs about God and ourselves. Stewardship involves faithfully developing and utilizing our gifts, talents, and resources within the time God has allotted to us, seeking the maximum possible return on the resources entrusted to our care by the Master. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) similarly underscores God's expectation of a return on His investment in us.
Stewardship entails faithfully executing the tasks assigned to us, irrespective of their perceived size or significance. Those who faithfully executed their tasks were rewarded with greater responsibility. Faithfulness in minor tasks paves the way for larger responsibilities (Luke 16:10 - "He who is faithful with little can also be trusted with much").
Good stewardship entails effectively managing the resources entrusted to us by God, including our time, talents, finances, or gifts.
Our faithfulness in small matters as good stewards determines how we will manage future opportunities and resources, reflecting our character and preparing us for the responsibilities God will entrust us with.
Stewardship involves the diligent investment of God-given resources, leading to reward. As Christians, we're called to actively engage in God's work, utilizing all resources at our disposal to serve His purposes. 1 Peter 4:10 urges us to utilize our received gifts to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace. In Matthew 25:14-30, the servants received resources according to their abilities. Those who diligently invested their talents were rewarded, while the one who did nothing with his was rebuked and condemned.
This reward is a direct acknowledgment from God of our faithfulness and diligence, serving as both an encouragement and a testament to the fact that our labor in the Lord is never in vain (Matthew 25:21 - "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!").
Today presents another opportunity to recognize the resources God has placed in your hands. Seek His guidance on how to wisely invest these resources—whether by serving in various units and departments in the Church, utilizing your talents for the benefit of others, or managing your finances with integrity and generosity. Today's encouragement is for you to step into faithful stewardship of your God-given resources and invest them for the advancement of His Kingdom. This will lead to great rewards, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
Song of Worship
Give me Your eyes for just one second Give me Your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missin' Give me Your love for humanity Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Song: Give Me Your Eyes By Brandon Heath
Prayer - Heavenly Father, Teach me to steward my resources in a way that is pleasing to You. Grant me the grace to live out this calling, and the wisdom to invest my resources diligently. Amen. So it is, and shall be in Jesus' name Amen
Bible in 1 year: 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 8