Be a Faithful Servant
David Anderson, Quorum of High Priests president
“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” -Luke 16:10-13
Toward the end of the parable in today’s scripture, Jesus states, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much…” Wise words indeed. Living our discipleship means being faithful and attentive to the frequent and rather mundane tasks of each day (or in church life) regardless of how insignificant they may seem. During the week, most of us do not write a book, decide life and death, or end world peace. Instead, as faithful servants, we participate in seemingly simple daily tasks to make our world better.
I never heard her preach. She never taught me in Sunday school. However, she significantly impacted my life. As a young adult in college, I attended the local congregation. If I didn’t attend church on Sunday, I would receive a letter from this kind, humble, elderly lady during the week with the bulletin giving me an update on congregational activities. She was always encouraging and affirming. I could tell by what she wrote and shared that she cared about me. Her simple gesture of reaching out to me via letter or in person on a Sunday morning kept me connected to the church. When I reflect on attending the congregation during my four years at the university, I don’t recall any of the sermons, the discussions in the Sunday school class, or visits of the priesthood. I do, however, remember her. I recall with appreciation her kind and straightforward gestures of hospitality and her simple letters of encouragement and connection. I am eternally grateful for her ministry of being a faithful servant.
This month we are celebrating 70 years of Daily Bread. Each day we will be sharing Daily Bread stories from throughout the decades. You will notice that these stories reflect the language and theology of the time they were written. Our hope is that this act of sacred remembering will bless us with awareness of God’s movement throughout time and a renewed sense of God’s presence with us now! Consider joining this rich tradition of sacred story sharing by submitting your story here: https://www.CofChrist.org/daily-bread-writers-guide
Prayer Phrase
The Spirit is revealed in our sacred stories.
Spiritual Practice
Sharing Stories
Sharing sacred story is a meaningful way to express and remember God’s activity among us. How have you been transformed by the words and stories of others? What stories do you feel called to share from your own sacred history?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
