30 August, Saturday — Being Faithful Stewards

Saturday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time

1 Ths 4:9-11
Mt 25:14-30

“…we do urge you, brothers… to make a point of living quietly, attending to your own business and earning your living…”

I wonder if the parable of the three stewards in today’s Gospel had different situations and outcomes? What if, as a thought experiment, we consider the following:

The first and second stewards still managed to double the master’s capital through hard work, dedication and careful management while the third steward, instead of burying the single talent he had, chose to gamble with it, in the process ending up with one hundred talents…a 100-fold return!

I wonder what the master would say to this third steward? Would he receive praise, or would he receive criticism? Would the master have said, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Clearly, while earning money is good thing; gambling, under Jewish tradition, is frowned upon, so I would think the master would not have approved of how the gains, no matter how substantial, were obtained.

The talent described in this parable was originally a reference to a measure of weight, of about 35 kilograms. It was subsequently used to refer to about 6,000 denarii, or about 20 years worth of a labourer’s wages — clearly a lot of money. 

In English, the word “talent” also refers to one’s natural abilities or skills. When taken in this context, it makes more sense… like the first and second stewards, we could choose to conscientiously use our talents to serve our Lord and for those around us; or, we could choose to let these talents fade, to be forever buried.

In a previous reflection, I discussed being authentic Christians (https://godismyoxygen.com/2025/06/25/25-june-wednesday-our-true-selves/), and it is said that one will be judged by the fruit one bears.

What if, in our lives, we were incredibly lucky and became successful, WITHOUT using any of the talents bestowed on us? How would we be judged when we met our Master at the end of our earthly lives?

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer: Dear Father God, help us to be unafraid of using what talents You have bestowed on us. Help us to continue to grow and develop these talents, so that we would be able to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. 

Thanksgiving: Thank You for the reminder to always strive to be our best for You, oh God. May we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to stand up for You.