As I graduated from seminary and began as pastor of a local congregation, I saw the ministry as a trust from God to feed and lead his flock. I saw myself primarily as a teacher, expounding the truths of the Bible for the nourishment of people's souls. I knew I was answerable to the Lord, so I acted intentionally to align with the purposes and methods of God himself.
One of my images for ministry was that I was a translator. I wanted to explain the teachings of Scripture as accurately and clearly as I could. I knew that I needed to model the teaching in myself, as a way of translating the truth into life.
Paul counselled in 1 Timothy 4:15-16, "Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Who is a Wise and Faithful Manager?
One of the best Bible models of a faithful manager is Joseph in Genesis 39-47. Joseph entered the household of Potiphar in Egypt as a slave. He quickly demonstrated his ability to oversee the house and business affairs of his master. He understood Potiphar's interests and was able to achieve them better than the master himself did. Potiphar trusted Joseph to pursue and reach his objectives. As a result, Potiphar had no decisions to make except what to eat for lunch (Genesis 39:6).
Thrown into the dungeon on false accusations, Joseph repeated his management success on behalf of the jailor. Years later, the opportunity arose to perform wise and faithful stewardship for Pharaoh himself. In those days anyone who asked Pharaoh a question, he merely said, "Go to Joseph. What he says to do, do." Joseph knew his master's will and was able to do it faithfully.
I thought it would be a miracle, but also a joy, if I could be wise and faithful in the things of God. What if he could trust me to carry out his wishes in the same way as he would choose himself?
Jesus called his followers to set their sights on that course. I found in Luke 12 (the same chapter as my earlier "life verse"), "Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions" (Luke 12:43-44).
This calls for understanding
My job suddenly was more challenging. It was no longer a list of tasks to perform: deliver newspapers to the following houses every day by 8:00 a.m.
Tasks still had to be done. I had been trained to do them. But I often had to make decisions based on what I saw. I needed the mind of Christ to discern what tasks were needed, and sometimes how to fulfill God’s purpose in a different and wiser way.
To live and serve righteously, I needed to know God's will, his purposes, his heart, his chosen ways and methods. God did not once reassure me by saying, "You don't have to understand why. Just do what I say." He kept calling me to see what he saw in the church and in the town and in the people. The renewing of my mind was the starting point of my transformation.
I took to heart the way Jesus viewed me. John 15:15 quotes his words, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from the Father I have made known to you."
I made mistakes and bad decisions. So had Abraham and Moses and Peter and Philip. God is able to redeem mistakes. And just like Joseph in his management positions, I had the Lord with me to give me success.
Now, 55 years after I officially started this stewardship, I am still an apprentice. Maybe, since "retirement" from getting paid by a church, I am more of a journeyman.
I meant that as a pun and a joke. But it is not a joke to expect preparation for spiritual ministry to have more than classroom lessons and reading books. We need hands-on experience and coaching from someone who knows more about it than we do. We need to get to know the Lord and be in step with his goals.
Faithful and Teachable
There has been an evolution of loyalty along my journey.
At first, I focused on following the policy manual. Do the right job in the right way. Like doing art as a Paint-by-Number: paint all the spaces with the number 7 in this yellow color; use green for number 11; etc. It is not really a work of art, but it helps to get the general idea of painting.
Faithfulness is rewarded with more responsibility (ability to respond). God has ways of using the gifts he puts into us and of showing himself to others through the understanding we grow into.
Over the years, it is a restoration project of growth that qualifies the unqualified. God trusts the incompetent to find their competence in him. By the grace of God we are what we are.
Elisha started out pouring water on Elijah's hands. He developed into a prophet with a double portion of Elijah's spirit who was able to speak for God. (See 2 Kings 3:11-18.)
Ezra went up from Babylonia after the captivity and came to Jerusalem, "For the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach his statutes in Israel." (See Ezra 7:7-10.)
Timothy started out as a young minister and grew into a rare servant who knew and did the Lord's will. (See Philippians 2:19-22, where Paul says he has no one else like Timothy, who put the interests of Jesus Christ and his people ahead of his own interests.)
As a painter, doing paint-by-number never led me into being an actual artist. As a minister, though, I did catch on to some things. I keep learning more about the gospel, so that God can trust me with more challenging situations. "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much. One who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (See Luke 16:10.)
The Image of God Restored
This is God's gospel plan to restore all things. By transforming us into the likeness and representation of God himself, he is using us to fix what was damaged by human sin and resetting creation back to his original intention of ruling it through people in his image.
He is raising up men and women to be his trusted partners.