Responsible Stewardship: Serving Others with Our Gifts
Owning something implies not merely having resources, but also entails the obligation to use what is received for purposes that exceed personal satisfaction—that is, for serving other people. This is expressed through several important ideas in the provided quotes.For example, as stated in one source:"All talents, all the blessings of life, both spiritual and material, are given for the purpose of mutual service, which represents the only path to the development of love. It is for this purpose that we must use them. This is a great educational tool in the hands of the Divine. We are hardened by our sinful nature. Distributing charity, providing help, and mutual services—in short, all practical activity of love softens the heart..." (source: link txt). Here, it is emphasized that gifts and talents are given not only to benefit the possessor but also others, thereby fostering the development of love and compassion.The idea of responsibility accompanying the possession of material values is also examined:"Likewise, with every possession that I have. Property is given to a person for use and must be employed for good; otherwise, a person is morally deprived of the right to this property. The right of private property should be ethically recognized as a limited right—as the right of use, not of abuse..." (source: link txt). This quote underlines that the right of ownership implies its reasonable and ethical use for the benefit of those around us, not merely accumulation for personal gain.Furthermore, an important thought is introduced with the perspective on talents as an expression of spiritual power:"With these words, the Lord seems to indicate that there exists within a person a spiritual power more significant and profound than the talents given to him. The latter must be understood (according to Florensky) as talents, as abilities and endowments... This correspondence between power and abilities obliges a person to use them fully, to devote them entirely to that purpose..." (source: link txt). Thus, possessing gifts—whether material values or spiritual capabilities—imbues a person with the inherent obligation to direct them toward creative service, thereby contributing to his own spiritual development and the common good.Supporting citation(s):"All talents, all the blessings of life, both spiritual and material, are given for the purpose of mutual service, which represents the only path to the development of love. It is for this purpose that we must use them. This is a great educational tool in the hands of the Divine. We are hardened by our sinful nature. Distributing charity, providing help, and mutual services..." (source: link txt)"Likewise, with every possession that I have. Property is given to a person for use and must be employed for good; otherwise, a person is morally deprived of the right to this property. The right of private property should be ethically recognized as a limited right—as the right of use, not of abuse..." (source: link txt)"With these words, the Lord seems to indicate that there exists within a person a spiritual power more significant and profound than the talents given to him. The latter... This correspondence between power and abilities obliges a person to use them fully, to devote them entirely to that purpose..." (source: link txt)