by Charles Hodge
Ministers are often represented as those to whom a special trust has been committed. Paul says, ( πεπιστευμαι οικονομιαν, το ευαγγελιον), 1 Cor. 9:7. Gal. 2:7. 1 Thess. 2:4. 1 Tim. 1:11. Two things included in fidelity. First, the safe custody of what is committed, “keep that which I have committed unto thee.” Second, strict adherence to our obligations and assiduous performance of our duties. A treasurer is faithful who keeps safely the treasure confided to him. A subject, or servant is faithful, who is true in his allegiance and assiduous in the performance of his duties. In the case of stewards both these ideas are included. The property of their masters is entrusted trusted to them; and they are charged with its due administration and the guidance and government of the household. In like manner ministers are called upon to exercise fidelity in both these forms. To them a treasure has been committed for safe custody; and they are the servants of a king and master to whom they owe allegiance and devotion.
I. The trust committed to them. That is, η παραζηχη. This is said to be “the mysteries of God”; “the gospel”; “the word of God”; “this treasure,”2 Cor. 4:7. The thing therefore committed to the Church, and especially to ministers, is the truth—not scientific, historical, philosophical truth—but the truth of God as revealed in his holy word.
Of this treasure it is to be remarked,
1. That it is of infinite value, i.e., it has a value to which it is impossible to set any limit, and of which we have no measure. It is incommensurable. Gold, silver, precious stones can no more be compared to it than light can be compared with sound. There is no standard of comparison. The truth of God stands in a category by itself It has an intrinsic value altogether apart from its effects. There are three kinds of value.
(a) That which is purely fictitious and conventional. The value of rarity. As of gems, rare plants or books.
(b) The value of utility.
(c) Intrinsic worth. All these combined in the gospel. It is by itself. Its utility is beyond estimate. And its intrinsic worth is infinite. There is a sense in which the knowledge of God or of Christ is God or Christ, as blank ignorance is equivalent to the non–existence of the object of knowledge. The truths of Scripture are therefore of the highest order of truths. They relate to the highest class of subjects which can come under the cognizance of men or angels. Secondly, these truths are of infinite value measured by the standard of utility. They are essential to our own salvation; to the salvation of the world; to the best interests of society and of civilization. They are necessary to pardon; to holiness, to morality; to eternal life. No substitute can be provided for them. They and they only are the power of God, i.e., the only channels through which his saving power is manifested and exercised. This infinite treasure on which so much depends is committed to you. And it is committed to you exclusively so far as your own souls are concerned, and mainly so far as your people are concerned. This therefore is a fearful responsibility.
2. It is a treasure which it is very hard to keep. Gold and silver may be put in safes or buried in the earth. But this cannot be so disposed posed of. It must be unconfined. The difficulty of this task is plain from the fact, that the church has so generally failed. The Greek, Latin, Protestant.
(a) It is committed to earthen vessels; to very feeble hands. It will not do for us to trust to our strength, or to our watchfulness.
(b) It is exposed to numerous enemies. Our own hearts, our own understandings, the traditions of men; the force of public opinion; the speculations of philosophy; the assaults of false teachers; the machinations of Satan.
You must therefore feel that you have not only a great task; but most difficult one to perform. The only thing for you to do is, first, to have a clear conception of what you have to do, not to discover truth, but simply to ascertain what is revealed as truth and to hold it fast, without adulteration; second, to determine that you will be faithful to this trust and resist all these enemies of the truth whether inward or outward; and then, look to God constantly for help, knowing that your sufficiency is of Him.
II. The only form of fidelity is allegiance and devotion to Christ as our King and Master.
This includes,
1. A right state of mind towards him. In pure love; consuming gratitude; entire submission; and zeal for his glory. These are motives which secure fidelity, and without which it is impossible.
2. The renunciation of any other master. You cannot serve God and mammon; Christ and Belial; the world and your Saviour.
3. Assiduity and diligence in the discharge of all your duties to yourself, to your people, to the Church and to the world.
This fidelity must be unto death: Some are very faithful for a while and then become false. How was it with Judas. With Arnold. With thousands in the world and in the Church. It is only those who persevere unto the end who are saved. Remember that your work and your danger end only in the grave, etc.
III. The reward. I will give you a crown of life.
“ I,”i.e., the eternal Son of God clothed in our nature. The giver is Christ. The gift a crown of life. A crown is an ornament, a dignity and a symbol of power. This crown is one of life, not only living but consisting in life, spiritual and eternal, the highest kind of life. Imperishable, which renders beautiful; which exalts; which gives power.
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