Jesus’ Tabletalk on Stewardship By Rev. Bryan Crotts I


wonder about the dinner dis- cussion at Zaccheus’ house. (see Luke 19:1-27)


There was much to say as this


man’s radical conversion had oc- curred before the eyes of so many, some even present in his home with the Master that very day. Certainly Jesus discussed repen-


tance and restitution as the newly saved man promised to repay all whom he defrauded. As dinner conversations usually


go, the discussion probably began to deteriorate. Jesus could sense this and had enough of the kingdom talk from the other guests. In order to correct their conclu-


sion that the kingdom of God was to appear instantly and soon (may- be even Jesus’ triumphal entry?), he told the parable of the ten minas. A quick summary of the par-


able: Jesus will leave his church on earth while he returns to heaven to receive the kingdom. At his second coming, he will demand an account of what each has done with what has been entrusted to them and will check up on the enemies of his kingdom. So, until the second coming of Jesus, we should put our minas to work! When the church talks of stew-


ardship, we most often discuss money. “The preacher has gone to meddling,” we say on stewardship Sunday. Ministry costs money. The


Lord’s tithes and our offerings go a long way to pay the preacher, keep a musician on hand, provide discipleship materials, manage a property, and support outreach. If a stewardship talk is not about money, it is often about our time or spir-


itual gifts. We complete surveys, endure background checks, serve our term on the nursery rotation, sweep, count, lockup and on the duty list goes. Church work requires hands, minds, and time. Are we not also stewards of the Gospel? Our Lord has given his church the opportunity to be heralds of the King,


proclaiming salvation through faith in Jesus. When Jesus returns, he will ask to know the gain on his deposit with his servants. What will we answer? “Lord, we’ve been preaching, teaching, discipling, correcting, rebuking,


and telling all who will hear of your love.” “Lord, the world hates you, but we have carried on, being careful not to


change the Gospel or tweak the church to suit the world.” Our Lord has commanded that we engage in business until his return. And, it is required of stewards to be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).?


Rev. Bryan Crotts is a member of the Board of Stewardship and pastor of First ARP Church in Burlington, NC.


Stewardship Resources for the Kingdom May/June 2021 11


ARP Foundation


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