O'Donoghue MTh_Thesis-FinalCopy.pdf - South African Theological ...

or her Master. Three of the chief texts of scripture used in NT studies to define thenature of stewardship are found in Matthew, namely Matthew 21:33-43, 24:45-51,25:14-30.The above mentioned parables while not containing the word for steward, which isoikonomos do teach the idea (Powell 1995:89). Matthew’s Gospel understandsstewardship in light of God’s universal reign (p.90). I.e. as God reigns over theuniverse and all things belong to God, the disciple is seen as trusted with God’sproperty. The disciple is seen as totally dependant on God for everything (p.91).Further, it was mentioned in the introduction to this chapter that God as Fathercarries implications for discipleship. The idea of God as Father is one that would reenforcethe disciple’s role as a steward (Goshen-Gottstein 2001:476). God as Fatherin Judaism often carried the idea that the disciple is responsible for the conduct ofhis or her life to God. This is a parallel with the way a human father’s child would livelife with obligations to his or her father.Powell (1995:93) says that Matthew teaches the motive for good stewardship shouldcome from a sense of duty. It is however, a sense of duty rooted in and expressedfrom gratitude. This gratitude comes from “Awareness that all things come fromGod.” This providential provision was noted earlier as something that the Jewishcommunity would have had integrated into their world view.Powell (1995:95-98) notes several principles of stewardship as portrayed byMatthew:a) “God’s stewards have only one master (p.95).” Matthew 6:24 is put forwardsas a proof text. Further this emphasises the OT moral law that teaches God’speople about the exclusivity of their worship of God.b) “God’s stewards acknowledge their master in word and deed (p.96).” Mathew7:1 makes the point that acknowledging Jesus as Lord is not enough; thedisciple is to move to deeds to express obedience (p.96-97).c) “God’s stewards prove themselves worthy of their master’s trust (p.97).”Also worth noting is the three parables in Matthew that teach on stewardship provide87