God’s Word is truly a living, breathing document that can transcend the centuries from the time the various authors put these important words from God into written form. I find that the stories and the teachings from the Bible still hold great value and guidance in my own life. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” The Psalms in the Old Testament are believed to be mostly prayers that were put to music. Here is an example: read Psalms 100 out loud and imagine what it would be like to sing the words, and clap along with the music! Here is another example: read John 3:16, and see if you can memorize it. Do these words still have meaning today, centuries after they were written? Are they still relevant in the 21stCentury? If a person memorized this one verse and recited it every day for a month, do you think their lives might be changed in significant ways?

When we turn again to Jesus’ parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, we get a pretty good idea of how God might expect his people to behave as stewards of God’s world and resources. This certainly includes God’s word. Let’s insert “God’s word” in this story, in place of the word “talent”, and hear how that sounds: Matthew 25:18 – But the one who had received the “Word of God” went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s “Word”. I will say that does not feel very good in my heart.

This reminds us of another important aspect of stewardship; not only are we to cherish and protect God’s word, but we are also required to share it with the world around us. In I Corinthians 4:1, Paul writes, “Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ, and stewards of God’s mysteries.” God has gifted us, and entrusted us, with his word – and calls on us to pass it along to others. Our primary role as disciples of Jesus is to study and know God’s word and then to communicate that “good news” to our neighbors.

So in the month of October, let us remember what it means to be disciples of Jesus, and stewards of God’s word. As we read the scriptures, we can take time to really meditate on God’s word. Put yourself in the story and into each scene. Notice which words strike a chord in your heart. Ask the Lord to help you know him through his word. Then give thanks for this great gift that God gives us as a blessing – God’s word.