A humorous way to point out someone’s failure to complete a straightforward task is to say, “You only had one job.” One example is the company that mistakenly hung the sign for “WOW Productions” upside down so that the colorful, oversized letters across the roofline read “MOM.”
Another example involves the Sean O’Casey Bridge in Dublin, Ireland. It’s a pedestrian “swing bridge” designed to rotate horizontally to intermittently allow boats to pass. For four years it remained closed, preventing maritime traffic from traveling through because, during an office move, someone lost the remote control. “You only had one job.”
Life is complicated for everyone, but for some even more than others. The apostles had lives full of adversity. (It is believed that all but John died as a martyr.) Even among the apostles, Paul endured an extraordinary number of perilous situations. Nevertheless, it’s Paul that reduced life’s responsibilities to one.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (1 Cor. 4:1–2)
There had been jealousy among the people regarding who baptized them and who, among the church leaders, they were more committed to following. Paul told them to knock it off and not to regard him as anything more than a servant of Christ and steward for God. He recognized that his sole job in life was to be faithful with what God had given to him.
The claim by some of a connection to him was coming from a proud heart. This is why, a few verses later, he wrote, “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor. 4:7).
It’s in view of this that life becomes quite uncomplicated. The Christian’s job in life is first, to acknowledge that you have no right to gloat about any object you own or skill you possess. It has all been given to you. Second, it’s the Christian’s mission to use the objects and skills that you’ve been given to bring glory to God. It’s two sides of the same coin—be thankful and be a good steward.
The combination is seen again 1 Peter 4:10 where it says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Gifts are awarded by the Giver and should be used in service to others. It’s what a “good steward” does and it’s what is in view in the Parable of the Talents, which begins, “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property” (Mt. 25:14).
As God’s servant you’ve been entrusted with the Master’s property. Your money, possessions and expertise have been delegated to you. While your name may be on the bank accounts and deeds of ownership, and your name on the certificates of appreciation, ultimately, they are God’s and, one day, there will be an accounting.
Of note in the parable is that the Master’s approval had nothing to do with the amount produced. It is based entirely on the faithfulness of the servant. The uncomplicated question for them (and for us) is, “What did you do with what I gave you?” The two grateful, faithful servants received the same commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The one that had the least to manage, yet unfaithfully squandered it, was called a “worthless servant” and was cast into outer darkness.
When you consider what you have been given, are you a grateful, faithful steward? Life becomes very simple when you choose to thank the Lord for what you have and to use it for His glory. It’s not your responsibility to be more than you are. It is not your responsibility to produce more than you’re capable of producing. You need only be thankful and faithful. You only have one job.
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Rom. 14:12