The Word is a gift
… the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. — Psalm 19:9-11
God’s Word is a treasure. Nothing in all the world possesses the value of the Word. It has such great value because of what it can do. The world was created by it. This Word became flesh and redeemed us. This Word claimed us as God’s own precious child in the waters of Holy Baptism. The Word has done this and so many other things. It has inestimable power and therefore unsearchable value.
It is the Word of which we are ultimately stewards. Nothing you have has any value compared to this Word. How we use the worldly gifts which the Lord has entrusted us for the extension of this Word in the world is really the end goal of our stewardship.
As we use this Word in our own lives and share it in the lives of others, there is indeed great reward. This return on investment is not measured in dollars and cents. It is marked by calling sinners to repentance and setting them free to be everything the Lord has given them to be and do. God’s ultimate goal for faithful stewards is to use their simple gifts in such a way that souls are rescued from death and given an eternal life that has a value and reward that is literally out of this world!
PRAYER
Word of Life, You speak to us with a power and a tenderness that we can never fully appreciate or understand. It is sweet in our ears and sweeter as it is spoken with our lips and lives. Grant us the simple gift of faith which seeks to share this treasure with those around us so that they may know this sweetness as well. Amen.
©2019 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used with permission.