Luke 12:35-36 (NIV)
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.
We work best when we care about the One we work for!
Samson Olushola, Ambassadors for Christ International's director in Nigeria, paid a visit to a member of his ministry team, Nathaniel, who also works with Nigeria Bible Translation Trust in a centre near the country's southwestern border. They are working on translating the Bible into the Fulfulde language used by the nomadic Fulanis who are predominantly herders of cows and goats. Samson says he was privileged to spend 6 hours in their headquarters, admiring the meticulous translation work, a result of total dedication to the task.
For accurate interpretation of biblical words and phrases, it is necessary to know the culture, the customs, the target language, and sources of the target language. These are best learned in a local context from friends. Nathaniel has made good contacts and friends among the Gado Fulani. Samson was deeply touched by his commitment.
When Samson commended his work, Nathaniel replied, "If we eat and drink the work of their hands, we need to care for their souls."
During His ministry, Jesus talked about different kinds of servants. In today's passage from Luke, He tells a parable about servants who are working well even though their master isn't watching them, so that, when he returns, he finds them faithful.
The way we use the time and resources the Lord gives us is evidence of our stewardship - whether we are faithful servants with our Lord's interest always in mind, or whether we have forgotten who we belong to and neglected tending the 'lamp' He's assigned to us. How would you grade yourself?
For the iPhone app and more from John North and Ambassadors For Christ International, click here.