Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, March 18, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Stewardship has lots of facets. In this parable, God plants the vineyard, builds the wall, installs the wine press, and entrusts the whole she-bang to tenants. Their only job is to see that the vineyard produces good fruit the way it’s supposed to. But the tenants don’t care about the fruit. Well, they do, but only insofar as it will enrich them. They’re far more concerned with owning the vineyard than stewarding it.
And so it has gone throughout the history of the church. While thousands upon thousands of pastors, leaders, teachers, and other religious authorities have done their work humbly, joyfully, and with purity of heart, many, many others have seen their authority as a means of gaining personal power over others, leading to abuse of every kind.
Jesus declares that their authority will be revoked in favor of leaders whose concern is only for the physical, emotional, and spiritual flourishing of those with whom they have been entrusted. May each of us, in whatever way we serve, maintain this spirit of loving service.
What has my experience with challenging church leaders been? With good church leaders? How do I judge the difference?
