“It will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.”

— Matthew 25:14

A steward is someone who takes care of and manages someone else’s property or belongings. The steward is not the owner but is responsible to the owner for all that the owner has entrusted to them.

The Bible includes many examples of stewardship. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he charged them with its care (Genesis 2:15). Since the beginning, humans have been entrusted by God to steward his creation, his blessings, and the very lives he gives them.

In Jesus’ parable in our Bible reading today, three servants received bags of gold from their master before he left on a journey. They were expected to be productive, innovative, and enterprising with what they had been given. Specifically, they were to invest their master’s resources in worthwhile ventures, aiming for growth and multiplication. While two servants faithfully embraced this responsibility, one did not. The master’s approval clearly fell upon the two who were faithful.

As the Lord’s stewards, we don’t possess anything on our own. All we have is entrusted to us by our gracious heavenly Father. Yet while we live and breathe, we are called to nurture and care for what God has given us, using it for his glory. Then one day we too will hear the Master’s words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Lord, may we honor you with the time, talents, and treasures you have given us. Guide us to be faithful stewards of all your resources. Amen.