The Tribune

By Rev Angela Palacious

IN THE story of the dishonest steward or manager, the rich man or master asks him the question: “What is this I hear about you?” He had heard that his goods were being wasted. What if God were to put this question to us? How would we respond to such a review of our attitude to worship, prayer and stewardship?

Hopefully, we are not like the merchants who were chastised by Amos about their robbery of the poor and irreverence toward God. They could not wait for the Sabbath to be over in order to get back to business, which involved dealing “deceitfully with false balances” and mixing the refuse of the wheat with the grain to cheat the poor (Amos 8:5-6).

When it comes to prayer, St Paul instructs us to pray for everyone especially “all who are in high positions that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way” (1 Tim. 2:2) .Is this how we spend any portion of our day? Do we actively occupy ourselves with telling others that “God our Saviour desires all…to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4)?

When it comes to our ministry to others, the management of our finances and our relationships can we be considered faithful? “He who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (money), who will entrust to you true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11)

If the driving force of our lives is to love, serve and please God then our actions and attitudes will line up accordingly. If we are more concerned with having, spending, or hoarding money then we will make this obvious in the course of time. Whom are you serving?

We are so blessed to have the religious freedom to worship, assemble for prayer, own bibles and witness to one another. It may be that such freedom will be threatened, as it is elsewhere, if we do not protect it and value it. Scripture warns us that worship that is insincere will not be tolerated by God forever. Paul urges us to pray “lifting holy hands without anger and quarrelling” (1Tim. 2:8). There will come a time when we will experience a spiritual famine if we refuse to sow seeds of righteousness, justice and truth: “not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the lord, but they shall not find it” (Amos 8: 11b-12).

Let us do all that we can to help those who are in need for whatever reason. Some need financial and material assistance. Some need to hear a word of prayerful encouragement or to receive the gift of a listening ear. Give whatever you can, wherever you are so that there will never be a famine in our land of loving kindness, sensitive sharing of the gospel and the ministry of presence. Continue to worship, pray and minister that God’s name may be glorified, Christ’s life exemplified, and the people of God sanctified.