Stewardship
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
“Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21, 23
It is unfortunate that Christian stewardship has often been relegated to annual sermons or sermon series. Some churches have a time/day of the year during which pastors deliver a “Stewardship Sermon”.
Jesus taught stewardship using a parable. It is the second to the last parable in Matthew’s Gospel. This parable of the kingdom concerns genuine saving faith. When Jesus returns, He will judge all mankind. Revelation 20:12ff reveals His absolute judgment during which two books are opened. The first book is a record of everything that each person does while in this life. The second book is called the Book of Life. The Bible says that anyone whose name is not found in the Book of Life, “he was thrown into the lake of fire,” the place of eternal damnation!
We know that God doesn’t need to have books either to record deeds or to know whose names are in the Book of Life. God is all-knowing; the term is omniscient. He knows all things, and He knows who His children are. Many Christians have been told that they don’t need to worry about the first book, the book of deeds or works. But, it is of crucial importance to all of us! The Bible says a great deal about works. Jesus told disciples to store up treasures in heaven. All in Christ are recorded in the Book of Life. That is, all those who have received God’s gift of professing faith in Christ alone have had their names recorded by God in His Book of Life. Yet, all will give an account to God of what was done in the body. There will be levels of reward as well as punishment.
Per Jesus’ parable of the talents, He will return and “settle accounts”. The servants stood before Him to give an account of their lives. Two of them heard comforting and encouraging words. One heard only judgment! By direct implication, all people will give an account to Jesus.
Further, the letter of James expresses the meaning of saving faith. Comparing James 2:14ff, the third servant in the parable had a dead faith. The undeniable truth is that God’s gift of faith produces good works. One cannot be assured of heaven and invest nothing in the Kingdom!
At this point, you might be thinking that this pastor has “just gone to meddling”. You might say, “my faith is a private matter between me and God.” True, but not true enough. Saving faith is expressed through investing in the work of the kingdom. Without any such investment, there is only judgment. I didn’t say it, Jesus did. “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. … Cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness, in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:26-30 ESV).
Jesus affirmed that the wicked servant knew the truth about Him. Yet, knowing the truth did not motivate the man to invest what Jesus had given him. When the truth pierces a man or woman’s heart there is a necessary response. The Bible says that those who are in Christ are new creations. God gives desires for Him. It is not out of a sense of duty alone that we invest in the Kingdom; it is supremely out of a desire to love Jesus by serving Him and His body, the church.
This desire to invest falls under the heading of stewardship. Jesus’ teaching is that stewardship represents the whole of life in Christ. Financial giving is only one aspect of stewardship. We are called to invest what God has given in the form of tithes, offerings, and all of our gifts and abilities given by Him. Investing ourselves like this is part of worship.
According to this parable and the whole counsel of the word of God, He owns everything and everyone. Those whom He calls and adopts as His children desire to invest what He has given in the work of the kingdom. It is a joy to do so. Jesus’ words to the two faithful servants not only confirmed their citizenship in heaven, but also meant living in the joy of Jesus, the Master!
