Sunday – 11 October 2026

Today the Word of God gives us a very important message: God entrusts us with responsibility. Everything we have is ultimately a gift from God. Our life, our health, our family, our children, our home, our work, our money, our abilities, our time and even our opportunities are gifts that God has placed in our hands. We often say, “This is mine.” My house, my land, my money, my children, my job, my property. But Psalm 24 reminds us of a greater truth: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” We are not permanent owners. We are stewards. God is the owner, and He has entrusted certain things to us for a particular period of time. The question, therefore, is not simply, “What do I have?” The more important question is, “What am I doing with what God has entrusted to me?”

God Entrusts Us with Our Life

The first responsibility God has given us is the responsibility of our own life. Proverbs 3 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.” It then gives us a beautiful promise: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Our life belongs to God. We did not create ourselves. We did not choose the day on which we were born, and we do not know the day on which our earthly journey will end. Between birth and death, God has entrusted us with a life to be lived for His glory. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: How am I using the life God has given me? Some people use their life only for earning money. Some live only for their family. Some live for pleasure and comfort. But the Christian is called to live for God. Romans 12:1 says, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Your life is God’s trust. Your eyes are God’s trust. What are you looking at? Your tongue is God’s trust. What are you saying? Your hands are God’s trust. What are you doing? Your mind is God’s trust. What are you thinking? Your time is God’s trust. How are you using it? When we understand this, our whole attitude towards life changes.

God Entrusts Us with What We Possess

Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” This is particularly meaningful in a village community where people understand the value of land, crops, labour and harvest. When the farmer receives a harvest, he knows that his work was necessary, but he also knows that he cannot control the rain, the sunshine or the growth of the seed. The harvest ultimately depends upon God’s provision. Therefore, the Bible teaches us to honour God with what we possess. Our money is not simply for ourselves. Our possessions are not simply for our comfort. God expects us to use what He has given us wisely and generously. This does not mean that we should neglect our family responsibilities. Rather, it means that we recognise God as the giver and use our resources according to His will. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Money is a useful servant but a dangerous master. This is why Jesus concludes the Gospel passage by saying: “You cannot serve both God and money.” - Luke 16:13. The issue is not whether we possess money. The question is whether money possesses us. A Christian should be able to say, “Lord, everything I have comes from You. Help me to use it faithfully.”

God Entrusts Us with Opportunities to Serve

In 1 Peter 4, we find another important responsibility. Peter says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” Every Christian has received something from God. Some have the gift of teaching. Some can sing. Some can encourage others. Some can care for the sick. Some can work with children. Some can organise things. Some can give generously. Some are good at welcoming people. Some can pray faithfully. You may think, “I have no great gift.” But God has given every person something that can be used for His glory. Peter says, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God; if anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides.” Notice the purpose: “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” Your ability is God’s trust. Your experience is God’s trust. Your influence is God’s trust. Your position in the family and community is God’s trust. Do not wait for a great opportunity before serving God. Start with the opportunities already in your hands. A mother serving her family can serve God. A farmer working honestly can serve God. A teacher teaching children faithfully can serve God. A young person helping an elderly neighbour can serve God. A Christian visiting a sick person can serve God. The size of the work is not the most important thing. Faithfulness is what matters.

God Will Ask Us to Give an Account

This is the strongest lesson from Luke 16. Jesus tells the story of a manager who had been entrusted with his master’s property. The manager was accused of wasting his master’s possessions and was told that he would have to give an account. The story reminds us of a serious spiritual truth: one day we will give an account to God. Jesus is not approving the dishonest actions of the manager. Rather, He uses the story to challenge His listeners about their responsibility, foresight and use of what has been entrusted to them. The key teaching comes in Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” God watches our faithfulness in small things. If you cannot be honest with a small amount of money, why should God entrust you with more? If you cannot use one hour wisely, why should you expect greater opportunities? If you cannot be faithful in your present responsibility, why should you expect a bigger responsibility? Sometimes we are waiting for a big ministry, while God is testing us in a small responsibility. Be faithful where you are. Be faithful in your family. Be faithful in your work. Be faithful in your church. Be faithful with your money. Be faithful with your words. Be faithful with your time. Because small responsibilities are opportunities to demonstrate great faithfulness.

Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, Psalm 24 says: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” Therefore, everything we have belongs ultimately to God. Our life is entrusted to us. Our family is entrusted to us. Our possessions are entrusted to us. Our abilities are entrusted to us. Our time is entrusted to us. Our opportunities are entrusted to us. The Christian life is therefore not simply about receiving God’s blessings. It is about being faithful with God’s blessings. One day, we will stand before God. At that time, the important question will not simply be, “How much did you possess?” It will be, “What did you do with what I entrusted to you?” May God help us to live so that we can hear the words of our Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” - Matthew 25:23. Let us therefore trust God, honour Him with what we possess, serve others with the gifts He has given us, and remain faithful in both small and great responsibilities. God owns everything. God entrusts much to us. And God calls us to be faithful.

Concluding Prayer

Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, We thank You because everything belongs to You. The earth is Yours, our lives are Yours, our families are Yours, and everything we possess comes ultimately from Your gracious hands. Forgive us, Lord, for the times when we have behaved as though everything belongs to us. Teach us to remember that we are stewards of what You have entrusted to us. Help us to be faithful with our time, our money, our abilities, our families, our work and every opportunity You give us. Give us wisdom to use our possessions properly. Give us generous hearts to help those who are in need. Give us courage to serve others with the gifts You have given us. Lord, help us to be faithful even in small things. May our words be honest, our work be sincere, our relationships be loving, and our lives bring glory to You. When we face greater responsibilities, give us greater faithfulness. When we face difficulties, give us patience. When we receive blessings, keep us humble. And when our earthly journey comes to an end, may we be found faithful before You and hear the joyful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We commit our lives, our families, our work and all that we have into Your hands. In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.