To be a Steward

What’s the deal with stewardship? It’s an interesting word. Steward. Sometimes, it’s a noun. Less often, it’s a verb. How does this ancient concept apply to lives lived in this millennium? As a concept, should it apply to me as I work through my discernment? How?

It’s an interesting idea. It involves action without ownership. In Bible stories things are given to a steward — tangible things, such as: a house, a vineyard, or, a sizeable sum of money. And with the tangible comes the intangible: responsibility, trust, and time. The master then departs, leaving the stewards to their own devices.

In the New Testament, one tale is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Talents. It appears at the end of Jesus’s ministry as He heads to Jerusalem. In the 25th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, the Stewards’ tale is sandwiched between a story of readiness (Ten Bridesmaids) and an account of Final Judgment (Sheep and Goats).

Talent is the start of the narrative. Today we take talent to mean a special natural ability or apptitude for achievement. Back then, it was a measure of weight — approx. 200 pounds in gold for the ancient Hebrews. (So, at a price of $1300 an ounce, a talent of gold today could be worth 4.16 million dollars — a sizeable chunk of change!). As he heads out of town, the big man calls in his stewards, doles out the talents, and then he vanishes for a while. Upon his unexpected return, he calls them in again — “Circle up! Tell me lads, what’s been happening around here?”

Accounts are rendered. Some of the reported returns are astounding (who wouldn’t love to see such growth in a retirement portfolio?). Affirmations abound — “Well done, good and faithful servant…but wait, there’s more!” Except for the guy who played it safe. He lost everything. Harsh treatment, right?

For years, every time I read the story, I fully identified with the risk-averse steward who buried his precious talent in the ground. But what if I could identify with the other stewards — what might life look like then?

How did those stewards achieve that return, I wonder?

First, they acted. They did something. They engaged. Second, I believe they bet it all. No holding back. And why should they? Those talents were on loan, never theirs to begin with, but, theirs to do with whatever they could. Stunning freedom. Immense possibility. If only one can see the largess of the Owner. He endows, then steps aside. And longs to see what we might make out of the abundance of His generosity.

Here’s hoping for good ideas and some courage to act.

Richard Rumble
Communications Director