June 22
It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. … Every man according to his several ability–1 Cor. 4: 2; Matt. 25: 15.
The “pound,” being the same to all, fitly represents that blessing of Divine grace which is common to all God’s people—Justification. Other endowments differ in quantity, according to our natural opportunities, and are generally of the Father—for instance, the Word and the Spirit. Our justification, while planned by the Father, is a gift from Jesus, because He paid for it with His own precious blood. The one “pound” each places all on a common footing as acceptable servants and permits each to show his zeal by his sacrificing’s. But the “talents,” being distributed according to every man’s ability, represent opportunities for the service of God along the lines of such abilities as we possess. They may be talents of education, or money, or influence, or good health, or time, or tact, or genius, with opportunities for their use in God’s service—Z ’07, 63 (R 1972).
A steward is one entrusted with the administration of another’s goods, and the one who so entrusts him has the right to expect fidelity on his part. Jehovah makes us the stewards of as much of His goods as we have consecrated to Him, expecting us to be faithful in the exercise of this our stewardship. On His part He furnishes us with every opportunity necessary to the exercise of our stewardship in the interests of His cause. His kindness in this respect deserves our most loyal service—P ’33, 79.
Parallel passages: 1 Cor. 2:1-16; 3:1-23; 4:1-21; 2 Cor. 3:1-18; 4:1-18; 5:1-21; 6: 1-10; Matt. 25: 14-30; Luke 12: 37, 38, 42-48; 16: 10-12; 19: 13-27; Rom.12: 6-8; 1 Cor. 12: 7, 11, 29; Eph. 4: 11; Titus 1: 7; 1 Pet. 4: 10.
Hymns: 309, 332, 200, 8, 208, 225, 272.
Poems of Dawn, 160: Cumbered With Much Serving.
Tower Reading: Z ’14, 23 (R 5385).
Questions: Have I this week been a faithful steward according to ability? What helped or hindered therein? What were the results?
CHRIST never asks of us such arduous labor
As leaves no time for resting at His feet;
This waiting attitude of expectation
He ofttimes counts a service most complete.
He sometimes wants our ear, our rapt attention,
That He some sweetest secret may impart;
‘Tis always in the time of deepest silence
that heart finds fullest fellowship with heart.
We sometimes wonder why the Lord has placed us
Within a sphere so narrow, so obscure,
That nothing we call work can find an entrance;
There’s only room to suffer—to endure.
Well, God loves patience; souls that dwell in stillness,
Doing the little things, or resting quite,
May just as perfectly fulfill their mission,
Be just as useful in the Father’s sight,
As they who grapple with some giant evil,
Clearing a path that every eye may see;
Our Savior cares for cheerful acquiescence
Rather than for a busy ministry.
And yet He does love service, where ’tis given
By grateful love that clothes itself in deed;
But work that’s done beneath the scourge of duty,
Be sure to such He gives but little heed.
Then seek to please Him, whatso’er He bids thee,
Whether to do, to suffer, to lie still;
“Twill matter little by what path He leads us,
If in it all we sought to do His will.