Responsible Stewardship

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 6:33 pm Post subject: Responsible Stewardship

Responsible Stewardship

Scripture:

He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

And when she was going to fetch it he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech you, a morsel of bread in your hand. And she answered: As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse: behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elias said to her: Fear not, but go, and do as you have said: but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me: and after make for yourself and your son. For thus said the Lord the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth. She went and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day the pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.
(1 Kings 17:10-16)

For Jesus is not entered into the holies made with hands, the patterns of the true: but into heaven itself, that he may appear now in the presence of God for us. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holies, every year with the blood of others:

For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world: but now once at the end of ages, he has appeared for the destruction of sin, by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment: So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many; the second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation.
( Hebrews 9:24-28 )

And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace, and to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers: Who devour the houses of widows under the pretense of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.

And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And calling his disciples together, he said to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow has cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.
(Mark 12:38-44)

Reflection:

We should give thanks for our blessings if we are clothed, sheltered, and fed. If we are blessed with more, we should also give thanks for the opportunities we have to earn, especially when we are able to earn beyond our basic needs. No matter our fortune, we must also consider that what God allows us is not always for us, but for us to share.

As we consider our choices, we should examine what God has placed within our hands and the blessings to which the value we have may be put. The gifts which God allows us is not only the fortune of money and what it provides, but also the fortune of our talents and the time allowed to us. Each day we choose what we will do and what we will not do. Our choices are made from many criteria, but above our desires, we should consider over what God has given us stewardship and the purposes our time and talents may be put so that the will of God may be done.

Through His parables, Jesus taught what God asks of us and what He expects from our stewardship over what He allows us. It is true, we must take care of ourselves if we are to have the means and health by which we may help care for another, but if we care only for ourselves, we do not fulfill His commandments to love.

We may not have the means to solve the problems of the world; to feed all the hungry, to clothe all the naked, to heal all who are afflicted, or to end all conflict; but we should ask ourselves, what can we do to assist in the work God has for the children of His creation? Perhaps it is but a can of soup we can give to help another to prepare a meal for the hungry. Perhaps it is but a shirt to replace one which is threadbare. Perhaps it is a soothing hand for one who is sick or afflicted. Perhaps it is a listening ear for a troubled soul.

One day, we may be the person who can help, but we must always consider, no matter our wealth or fortune, we are but one disaster away from becoming the one who is in need. Perhaps we may fall to an accident. Perhaps we may fall to an affliction. Perhaps our livelihood is taken from us. No matter what is lost in this world, if we allow God to lead us, we will always have love to give and hope to receive.

If we are uncertain to what purpose we may put what God has entrusted to us, then, let us ask Him in prayer. If our heart is open to Him, He will help us see. Let us remember, the love which we share will bring His light to another. Let us give thanks that He gives us the opportunity.

Questions for further reflection:

What opportunities do we see when we ask God to lead us?

In what ways may we give thanks for the mercy given to us and the sacrifice made for us?

In what ways may we help those who surround us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier