How does Exodus 22:10 connect with Jesus' teachings on stewardship? Setting the Scene: Exodus 22:10 “If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to his neighbor for safekeeping, and it dies or is injured or carried off while no one is looking, the matter between them will be settled by an oath before the Lᴏʀᴅ that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other’s property”. Timeless Principle: God-Honoring Trustworthiness • The owner voluntarily entrusts his livestock—valuable, life-sustaining assets—to another. • The caretaker must guard what is not his and be ready to prove faithfulness before the Lord. • Even when loss occurs outside his control, he remains accountable to speak truthfully under oath. • At its core, the verse teaches that everything we hold for another person—and ultimately for God—must be protected with integrity. Jesus Echoes the Same Standard of Stewardship • Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): servants receive resources “according to their ability.” The Master expects them to guard and grow what is not theirs. • Parable of the Faithful Manager (Luke 12:42-48): “Who then is the faithful and wise manager…?” Accountability is certain; reward or discipline follows. • Least-to-Great Principle (Luke 16:10-12): “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much… If you have not been faithful with what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” Jesus’ teachings deepen Exodus 22:10: – Safekeeping extends beyond animals to talents, time, finances, influence, and the gospel itself. – Faithfulness is measured not only by avoiding loss but by actively seeking increase for the Owner—God. – Final accountability is before the Lord, just as the oath in Exodus placed the matter in God’s sight. Practical Links for Today • My possessions are on loan from the true Owner (Psalm 24:1). • I safeguard others’ property, information, and reputations as if they were my own—and as if God is watching, because He is. • When unexpected loss occurs, honesty and transparency remain non-negotiable. • I look for ways to multiply God’s resources—investing time, skills, and finances in kingdom work—rather than merely preserving them. Heart Check: Faithful, Not Fearful • Exodus 22:10 guards against negligence; Jesus guards against laziness (Matthew 25:24-27). • True stewardship flows from love for the Owner, not fear of punishment. • The goal is to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21), the New-Covenant counterpart to the Old-Covenant oath of innocence. Bringing It All Together Exodus 22:10 sets the foundational rule: what’s entrusted must be guarded with integrity before God. Jesus turns that rule into a lifestyle: everything we have is God’s, we are His caretakers, and we will give an account. Faithful stewardship—rooted in trustworthiness and energized by love—honors the same Lord who spoke at Sinai and who, in Christ, now calls us His servants and friends. |
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