Page 14 - October 2026 - Truth & Tidings

responsible for financing the building faithful” (Luk 19:17), and an appropriate
of the temple, and he used terms which reward was forthcoming. We really should
encapsulate the basic elements of Bible aspire to that.
stewardship: “All things come of thee, and The concept of accountability is illus-
of thine own have we given thee” (1Ch trated in the story of Ezra. The wave of ex-
29:14). He indicates that all that we give iles who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra
to God belongs to Him anyway, “thine were entrusted with silver and gold and
own.” This highlights proper biblical vessels for the house of God (Ezra 8:24-36).
recycling. What we receive is returned to Everything was weighed when committed
Him and in turn is refunded to us, and so
the resources circulate. There is a danger to them (vv25-27). They were told that
of regarding our hard-earned cash as these precious things would be reweighed
something to be hoarded as an insurance at Jerusalem (v29), and as promised, this
against a “rainy day,” or to be splashed out took place on the fourth day after their
in financing a lavish lifestyle. The Savior arrival (vv33-34). Our responsibilities as
spoke of “treasures in heaven” (Mat 6:20), stewards have been measured precisely;
which are beyond the reach of a stock- may there be no deficiencies at the re-
market crash or roaring inflation or any weighing time when we give an account
other modern equivalent of the moth, rust of our stewardship.
and thieves. Are we making friends with
the mammon of unrighteousness? Forethought
The steward in our parable features the
Accountability native cunning of the natural man which
The steward in the story was “wasting” contrasts with the transparency of the
his master’s goods, just as believers can rob regenerate soul (Luk 16:8). As he worked
God (Mal 3:8). Either by maladministra- his notice, he ingratiated himself with
tion or more likely by dishonesty, he was his master’s clients by discounting their
dissipating his master’s resources just as bills, buying their friendship in hope of
surely as the prodigal recklessly “wasted” taking advantage of their hospitality in his
his father’s legacy. People talk, and rumors impending straitened circumstances. The
about the steward were circulating, the point is that he was thinking ahead. Ignore
idea behind the word “accused” in verse his dishonesty; ignore his craftiness; the
1, so inevitably it came to the master’s ears. lesson for us is that he had foresight. We
And then the words that leap from the often hear that on the night we were saved
page: “Give an account of thy stewardship”
(v2)! Elders, give an account of thy stew- we made a choice between heaven and
ardship. Christian, as to your gift, give an hell. Every day since we have to make the
account of thy stewardship. Custodians of choice between heaven and earth; what
spiritual mysteries and gospel truths, give world are we living for? It would be good
an account of thy stewardship. It is at the to be like Moses who made the right life-
judgement seat of Christ that we will be choices, taking the future into account:
called to account. “It is required in stew- “He had respect unto the recompense
ards, that a man be found faithful” (1Co of the reward” (Heb 11:26). That was
4:2), and in a parable preview of the event, more important to him than “treasures
a “good servant” is told, “Thou hast been in Egypt.”

302 TRUTH kTidings October 2026