Today’s readings present us with two different accounts of temptations that could lead us to not being good stewards. God had put the man in the garden to care for it — to be its steward. In return, God told the man he could eat the fruit of all the trees except one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But when tempted by the serpent to eat the fruit from that one tree, the humans ate it, showing they were not trustworthy stewards. The result was separation from God and death.
On the other hand, when Satan tempted Jesus, he held firm. He showed he was a good steward of treasure, by not using it for his own comfort (turning stones into bread). He proved he was a good steward of talent, by not using his abilities for his own glory (jumping from the parapet of the Temple). He was a good steward of time, which is to be used to worship only the true God (refusing to fall down in worship before Satan). He maintained this faithfulness throughout his ministry, being obedient even to a death on the cross.
By this obedience, Paul wrote to the Romans, Jesus conquered death, the result of Adam’s sin. This Lent, let us use the grace God offers us, so we ourselves can be obedient stewards of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to us, in accordance with the call of Christ in our lives.
