Let’s take some time to explore the principles of stewardship as revealed further in the article below. In this article, we will see how the parable of the talents underscores the significance of ownership, responsibility, accountability, and the ultimate reward in the context of ministry governance.
Back to the parable (of the talents). The Master’s accounting surfaces two very different outcomes: 100% return on the money versus 0% return. The failure of the lazy servant was not that he lost the money, but rather that he failed to return it to the owner with the increase. The master wasn’t looking for the return of the asset, he was looking for a return on the asset. And being ready for the Master’s return, and He will return, means using the time wisely to maximize the profit.
As a ministry board, we must see our stewardship as serving the mission for which God called the organisation into existence. This is a spiritual endeavor. It is governed by Biblical principles, which means the profit that we seek involves not money but rather spiritual outcomes – changed lives and ministry impact. This insight informs how we approach governance.
We must be diligent. We must work hard. We must take the initiative.
We must be alert, but what is even more important, more essential, is that we actively seek God’s wisdom and will in our deliberations and decision-making.
The belief is that the two successful stewards in Matthew and Luke reflected such qualities in their stewardship and this leads to the fourth principle, reward. The two hardworking servants received the same reward. “Well done, good and faithful servants.” And, having demonstrated faithful stewardship in this responsibility, they were given greater responsibilities going forward.
Ownership, responsibility, accountability, reward – that’s stewardship in a nutshell. When all is said and done, ministry governance is the most important act of stewardship.