The Steward is Organically Related to the Master

This theme of relationship continues as I come to grips with the Master who lived in the earth as a Steward and had to operate in the abiding principle that He taught  us in John 15.  Only as He lived, abided, internally allowed the Word into His heart as the creeds of His life was He able to live without self doubts, without letting the words of others direct his thinking, and stay on course in obedience to His assignment.  This is perhaps simplistic in the overview, but I find it helpful in directing my stewardship.

I tend to forget that this relationship is intrinsic and organic and tend to separate myself as the branch from Him as the Vine.  Then I feel withered, used up, ready for the dry wood pile and fruitless.  "Abide in my love just as I abided in the Father's love."  It is that love that removes all doubts and sweeps away the fog.

The Master lives within the Steward to direct His fruit producing ability.  A machine does work.  Only Life can bear fruit.  Work implies effort and labor; the essential idea of fruit is that it is the silent, natural, restful produce of our inner life.  So how does the Steward operate?

 I recognize that this life philosophy of fruit-bearing must be put to work.  Labor pains brings forth life and so I should expect that I will need to push and feel pain as new life is born...new muscle, new projects, new attitudes, new exploits.  So, I confess to the Master the truth of where I am and my inability to produce fruit on my own.  Confident that the Master hears my prayer and that help will be given because He loves me, I go to work.

 Recognizing my own shortcomings and asking for power to do better next time, I am neither passive nor self-reliant.  I do rest awhile and begin again.  Rest awhile and begin again as new Life flows  as the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.  The organic life of the Steward is not in words and beliefs only, but in fruit-producing labor.  Faith without works is dead.  As the statement I placed on my refrigerator for many years reminded me

"They might believe what you say, but they will always believe what you do."  True for Jesus, the Master Steward and true for me the Master's Steward.