When the Lord commended the five-talent and two-talent stewards in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), He told them they had done “good.” Often times we don't pay attention to that word because we assume we know what it means. But it is important to examine its rich meaning to grasp what the Lord expects of us.
Definition of GOOD: Morally excellent, pious, righteous, high quality, proper, honorable, worthy.
The word is first used in Genesis 1:3,4 - And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Stewardship is managing in very simple ways. The Bible tell us in 3 John 1:11 - Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
We can actually be successful managing money and still miss the mark of doing that which is good. Let me give you an example: If a billionaire gives away his entire fortune, it can appear as impressive generosity. But if the money is going to advance causes that are contrary to what is morally excellent, honorable, or worthy, the gift has not done good but evil.
We need to examine what we are hoping to accomplish as we steward what God has given us. Are we pursing a career that advances that which is good? Do we give to causes that advance purposes that bring good to others? Are we personally walking the walk in a way that God could say to you or me, “You have done good with what I entrusted to your care”?
