This week a lot of churches read Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants — Matthew 21:33–43 (ESV). A landowner plants a vineyard, leases it out, and sends for the fruit. The tenants start acting like owners. They beat the servants. They kill the son. That story has been ringing in my ears.
Admins, not root
If you live around Linux like I do, the picture is almost too clear. God is root. We are tenants — stewards with a lease, not the title holders. Psalm 24:1 (ESV) says the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Money, time, kids, careers, even this little corner of the internet at etherninja.org — held in trust.
The tenants’ sin was not farming poorly. It was forgetting who owned the vines. Paul puts the same idea another way: we are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, and it is required of stewards that they be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1–2, ESV). Faithful. Not flashy. Not possessive.
What the Spirit wants with what you hold
I am not preaching a guilt trip about stuff. I am asking the Holy Spirit to check my grip. Where have I started treating a gift like a trophy? Where have I pushed people away who came asking for fruit that was never mine to withhold? Working Preacher’s commentaries on this parable keep landing on fruit and responsibility — care for the vineyard, do the will of God, do not grab the inheritance as if the Son never came.
Charismatic folks talk a lot about encounter, and we should. Encounter without stewardship turns into a private high. Stewardship without encounter turns into dry management. Jesus wants both: hearts on fire and hands open. If something in your life feels like it is choking you, ask Him whether you are still a tenant — or whether you have been playing owner.
Have a blessed day!
References & Further Reading
- Bible Gateway – Matthew 21:33–43 (ESV) – Parable of the wicked tenants.
- Bible Gateway – Psalm 24:1 (ESV) – The earth is the Lord’s.
- Bible Gateway – 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV) – Stewards must be found faithful.
- Bible Gateway – Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV) – Work as unto the Lord.
- Working Preacher – Matt 21:33–46 – Stewardship/fruit reading of the parable.
- BibleHub – Matthew 21:33 – Parallel texts and study notes.
- TGC Australia – Theology of property stewardship – Ownership is penultimate; responsibility is the point.