Necessities, Resources, and the Means We Hoard to Access Them

When economy and theology intersect.

The vineyard didn’t belong to the tenants. The coin bore Caesar’s image. And we—we bear the image of God.

Again and again, we try to possess what we’ve only been entrusted with: authority, influence, time, people, land—even ministry. We grip tightly, afraid of losing power, unsure whether God’s way will be enough. But Jesus reminds us: what we seek to possess may ultimately end up possessing us.

This is why the notion of stewardship is so important—and so freeing.

A good place to begin is by discerning what is truly necessary for life. Resources like food, water, and shelter are essential. But other things our culture treats as necessities—like coins, bills, and banks—are not, even if they’ve become almost inescapable in modern life.

If we can remember that the vineyard and the coin are simply tools—means of accessing what is needed—then that’s a good start.

Mark 12:1-17

Jesus spoke to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower. Then he rented it to tenant farmers and took a trip. When it was time, he sent a servant to collect from the tenants his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But they grabbed the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again the landowner sent another servant to them, but they struck him on the head and treated him disgracefully. He sent another one; that one they killed. The landlord sent many other servants, but the tenants beat some and killed others. Now the landowner had one son whom he loved dearly. He sent him last, thinking, They will respect my son. But those tenant farmers said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ They grabbed him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

“So what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this scripture, The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord has done this, and it’s amazing in our eyes?”

They wanted to arrest Jesus because they knew that he had told the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

They sent some of the Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you’re genuine and you don’t worry about what people think. You don’t show favoritism but teach God’s way as it really is. Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay taxes or not?”

Since Jesus recognized their deceit, he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a coin. Show it to me.” And they brought one. He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” His reply left them overcome with wonder.

Psalm 80:14-19

Please come back, God of heavenly forces! Look down from heaven and perceive it! Attend to this vine, this root that you planted with your strong hand, this son whom you secured as your very own. It is burned with fire. It is chopped down. They die at the rebuke coming from you. Let your hand be with the one on your right side—with the one whom you secured as your own—then we will not turn away from you! Revive us so that we can call on your name. Restore us, Lord God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!

Prayer

God,

You are the creator of all things. Whether or not that makes you owner, I’m less sure. Maybe ownership is a human invention? Regardless, the land, the people, the time I live in—none of it is mine to claim, though I often try. I confess how tightly I grip the tools that come within my bubble, mistaking them for treasure, afraid that letting go will mean having less.

But you are not a God of scarcity. Teach me to live open-handed. Show me what is truly necessary, and help me to release what I cling to out of fear, pride, or control.

Teach me to steward rather than hoard, that I may trust your way over mine. And help me to remember that I bear your image—not for ownership, but for love, for justice, and for the flourishing of others.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.