The Covid-19 pandemic is a social and an economic crisis just as much as it is a health one—its repercussions, severe and far-reaching, are being felt across the world.1 The effects are felt unevenly across societies. The Wellcome Global Monitor 2020: Covid-19 Report,2 the largest study of its kind, found that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on low-income countries and people with low incomes across all countries.
Inflation followed, brought on by increases in production costs associated with disruptions in raw materials, labour or markets. We felt the effects. Our money is not able to buy as much today as it could in the past. We witness higher interest rates, and higher prices for everything. We are experiencing a rising cost of living.
This, together with the impact of climate change, once again reminds us of the need for strategic Christian stewardship. But what is strategic Christian stewardship?
Let us first reflect on the Parable of the Talents.
In both the gospels according to Matthew and Luke (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11- 27), a master going away on a trip puts his servants in charge of his goods in varying amounts. Upon his return, the master assesses the stewardship of his servants. He evaluates them according to how faithful each was in making wise investments to obtain a profit. It is clear that the master sought some profit from the goods under each servant’s oversight. A gain indicated faithfulness on the part of the servants.
The master rewards his servants according to how each has handled his stewardship. He judges two servants as having been “faithful” and gives them a positive reward. To the single “unfaithful” servant, who avoided even the safe profit of bank interest, a negative compensation is given.
What is the lesson of the Parable of the Talents?
The point of the parable is that whatever we have been given, we are to use it for God’s purposes. The severe consequences to the unproductive servant, far beyond anything triggered by mere business mediocrity, tell us that we are to invest our lives, not waste them.
The Parable of the Talents highlights how seemingly ordinary individuals can make the most of blessings granted by God. It is important to observe that both faithful servants invest for the benefit of their master, and they return to him not only his original investment but also what they make on his behalf.
It is a privilege to be entrusted with talents, resources and opportunities to work toward God’s purposes in the world. If we do so, we take our place among all the faithful, trustworthy servants of God, no matter how big or small our accomplishments may seem.
So, where are you now with regards to this parable?
Strategic Christian stewardship is not only about being able to manage your wealth and resources wisely and faithfully, but also doing good, extending your wealth and resources to demonstrate love for your neighbour.
Strategic Christian stewardship is not only about being able to manage your wealth and resources wisely and faithfully, but also doing good, extending your wealth and resources to demonstrate love for your neighbour.
This is where you want to be.
An expert in the Law tested Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He was expecting Jesus to recite the Shema.3 But Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christian community in Galatia, also encouraged them to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). And he went on to elaborate: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Finally, how do you get there?
The Good News according to Matthew 19:16-17, 21-22 gives us a hint:
“And behold, a man came up to [Jesus], saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ … ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
1 https://wellcome.org/news/equality-global-poverty-how-covid-19-affecting-societies-and-economies
2 https://wellcome.org/reports/wellcome-global-monitor-covid-19/2020
3 https://bibleproject.com/articles/what-is-the-shema/ “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And as for you, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Prof Dennis Lee serves as Director, Strategic Planning and Capacity Building, Methodist Missions Society. He was a Visiting Professor with Copenhagen Business School, a Fellow with Singapore University of Social Sciences and an alumnus of Regent College (MTS ’88 & MDiv ’89). He worships at Kum Yan Methodist Church.