11/17 – Matthew 25:14-30 – What is Stewardship

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 8:11-20

Be careful that you don’t forget the Lord your God. Don’t fail to obey his commands, rules, and laws that I’m giving you today. You will eat all you want. You will build nice houses and live in them. Your herds and flocks, silver and gold, and everything else you have will increase. When this happens, be careful that you do not become arrogant and forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt.

He was the one who led you through that vast and dangerous desert, a thirsty and arid land, with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He was the one who made water come out of solid rock for you. He was the one who fed you in the desert with manna, which your ancestors had never seen. He did this in order to humble you and test you. He also did this so that things would go well for you in the end.

You may say to yourselves, “I became wealthy because of my own ability and strength.” Remember the Lord your God is the one who makes you wealthy. He is confirming the promise which he swore to your ancestors. It is still in effect today.

I warn you today that if you forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, and if you serve them and bow down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. The Lord is going to destroy other nations as you enter the land. You will be destroyed like them if you don’t obey the Lord your God.

Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:23-25

Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for human masters. You know that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you are serving. The person who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done. God does not play favorites.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a trip. He called his servants and entrusted some money to them. He gave one man ten five dollars, another two thousand dollars, and another one thousand dollars. Each was given money based on his ability. Then the man went on his trip.

“The one who received five thousand dollars invested it at once and doubled his money. The one who had two thousand dollars did the same and also doubled his money. The one who received one thousand dollars went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The one who received five thousand dollars brought the additional five thousand. He said, ‘Sir, you gave me five thousand dollars. I have doubled the amount.’

His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’

The one who received two thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, you gave me two thousand dollars, and I’ve doubled the amount.’

His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’

Then the one who received one thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, I know that you are a hard person. You harvest where you have not planted and gather where you have not scattered any seeds. I was afraid, so I hid your one thousand dollars in the ground. Here is your money!’

His master responded, ‘You evil and lazy servant! If you knew that I harvest where I have not planted and gather where I have not scattered, then you should have invested my money with the bankers. When I returned I would have received my money back with interest. Take the one thousand dollars away from him! Give it to the one who has the five thousand! To all who have, more will be given and they will have more than enough, but from the one who has little, even what he has will be taken away. Throw this useless servant outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’