Stewardship 9 – accountability

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on stewardship and accountability.

Scripture

Matthew 25:13-30

13  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [when the Son of man returns].

14  “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15  To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16  He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17  So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18  But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19  Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20  And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22  And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24  He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25  so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26  But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27  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. 28  So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.

29  For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30  And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Observations and reflections

Note: The context of the parables in Matthew 25 is on the return of Jesus, and his judgment / rewards.  A talent is a weight of around 33kg – in this context it refers to the measure of either silver or gold – thus a great sum of money.

1. What was the motive of the master in giving the money to the servants? What did he wish to gain?
   1. What was expected of the servants/ stewards?
   2. Did the servants/ stewards own the money given/ entrusted to them?
2. As mentioned above the context of this parable is the return of Jesus.
   1. What was the reward for the faithful servants in the parable? And what does that point to (in light of Jesus’ return)?
   2. What was the reward for the unfaithful servant in the parable? And what does that point to (in light of Jesus’ return)?
   3. What then are the “talents” entrusted to servants / stewards in this parable? [hint: what is Jesus concerned with when he returns on Judgment Day?]

Application

1. Do you often consider yourself to be a steward that must give an account to God?
   1. What has God entrusted to you that he will expect an increase from when he returns on Judgment Day (the most important things only)?
   2. Why did God entrust YOU with these things?
   3. Do you think of yourself as being entrusted with much or with little? Why?
2. Could you relate to the unfaithful servant’s fear of messing up and therefore do nothing with your entrustment? [If so, decide to change your attitude today.]
3. If Jesus would return today, do you think he would say to you ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’? Why?

Prayer

Pray for revelation about this parable, and that the Lord will help you realize what are the things he will ask you about One Day when He returns. Ask for grace to be a faithful steward!