Stewardship.

Hey everyone! It’s your girl, Julie, and we’re back with another segment of “Salty & Lit.” In today’s post, we’re going to be talking about stewardship. Let’s pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are so good. Thank You for being our Friend. Help us to know You in a new way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Stewardship, according to Merriam-Webster, means, “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.” Basically, it focuses on how you manage something. For Christians, God has given us all something to manage (our lives), and He’s also given us gifts to manage as well. In the Parable of the Minas (or the talents in some translations), we learn about a master who gives his servants some talents, and he sees what they do with them after he comes back. Let’s check it out.

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. 16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. 19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ 21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ 23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:14-30, NLT)

While reading the passage, here are some things I noticed:

In verse 15, it says, “dividing it in proportion to their abilities,” which lets me know that God knows what you’re capable of, so He gives you abilities to assess how you will use them for His glory.

Next, in verses 16 and 17, we see that the first two servants went to work. They invested their talents and received a return (double what they had originally).

But in verse 18, the servant hid his money in a hole, and we later found out it was a fear-based decision (verse 26).

While the first two received praise from the master when he returned (verses 21 and 22), the third one got a tirade from his master who said, “You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank” (verses 26-27)?

The master was upset that the last servant didn’t do anything with the money, and I want to turn this back to you.

What gifts has God given you that you’re just sitting on? When God gives you a gift, it’s not for you; it’s for the edification (building up) of His church (1 Corinthians 14:12).

God wants you to use His gifts that He has entrusted to you for His glory. In the Haitian hymnal (Chants d’Esperance), there’s a song that says, “Nou tout ap jige a la fin,” but prior, it says, “Anplwaye talan ou yo byen.” Basically, it means to make use of your talents because you will be judged in the end by God. God’s going to check to see what you’ve done with the talents He’s given you. Have you stewarded them well and brought in an investment, or have you just hidden them under a bush for no one to see?

When you think of Salty & Lit, it’s somewhat the same way. You’re not a light that’s meant to be hidden. You’re meant to shine and use the gifts God has given you to bring Him glory.

So this week, ask God what’s one way you can bring Him glory using the gifts He’s given you. Let’s pray.

Father, You are so good. Thank You for Your Word and how it convicts us. Help us to know Your truth and to use Your talents for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

That’s all I have for today! Don’t forget you are loved, salty, and lit! Talk to you soon! 🧡