Work and stewardship

The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and whoever protects their master will be honored.
Proverbs 27:18

The word of God is very clear when addressing a subject, therefore it should not be a surprise the accuracy and simplicity with which it addresses the most important issues of our lives. Two of these issues are work and stewardship. In these two subjects the word of God establishes and reinforces the concepts that should guide the life of God’s children. Work and stewardship are functions assigned to man from the very beginning of the existence of the human race. Our father Adam was assigned various tasks by the Lord in the garden of Eden so that he was not idle. Man was given the task of dominating the earth and multiply himself to put it into submission. God also placed man in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. Additionally, Adam was in charge of naming all the animals that God had created. Regarding stewardship it is clear that the task of cultivating and keeping the garden refers to this aspect. Even after Adam’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden he was in charge of working the ground from which he had been taken.

Our Lord Jesus Christ made reference to these two issues very strongly by means of the parables he used to teach people about the kingdom of God. Among these parables we can refer to the parable of the gold coins and the parable of the wicked tenants. In both parables Jesus spoke of the importance of stewardship and work. The apostle Paul also commented at length the issue urging everyone to work, not to be idle and to be always expectant and in readiness for the return of the Lord. Let us not ignore, then, in view of these teachings and exhortations to live a holy life dedicated to the tasks the Lord has entrusted to us. In due time the Lord will reward us with honor for the loyalty and commitment we have shown in carrying out the works which he prepared from before the foundation of the world for us to do. Only to God be the glory!