Faithful stewards
Faithful stewards - those two words express a core element of Christian discipleship.
Stewards have a double responsibility - to the work that is entrusted to them and to the employer who has entrusted it. And the quality that the employer looks for is faithfulness: commitment and loyalty.
As Christians, we have, of course, a primary commitment and loyalty to God. Not a mere employer but Lord of our lives, exercising authority over us not by a contract but by a covenant of grace. How we respond to that grace is up to us. And many of us, I fear, take advantage of it, going through our days in subconscious compliance rather than intentional faithfulness. When our devotion is fitful, and our lifestyle inconsistent, we fall far short of the discipline and self-denial that mark a faithful follower of Jesus.
But it is not only to God that we owe this duty of faithfulness. We owe it to all those with whom we have relationships of responsibility - to our families, neighbours, and brothers and sisters at church. How far can we be depended on to do what we say we will do, and be for others what they need us to be - always reliable, consistent and true?
And of course we are required to be faithful at work. Our employers and colleagues have a right to assume that they can rely on our commitment, that we will do our job consistently and conscientiously; that we will pour into it our energy and creativity.
We owe faithful commitment both to other people and to the work itself. The Bible affirms the intrinsic value of work of all kinds, as on a small scale preparing the way for the triumph of the kingdom of God. Paul, in a specific work context, urged his readers to serve faithfully not only when other people's eyes were on them and to win their favour but 'with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do,' he wrote, 'work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving'.
The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness - to God, to other people and to our duties, occupations and callings. Lord, help me to be faithful.
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