Who was the Faithful Steward

Comment by apollos0falexandria on 2012-09-25 14:28:46

I agree, but of course the custodians of the official doctrine will refer you to Gal 6:16 for the purpose of this exercise, and say that the "Israel of God" can only be those anointed as kings and priests. I'm not saying that's what the scripture says. It doesn't. But this whole framework relies on a fundamental belief in the way that we choose to connect the dots. And the basis for the belief is that the custodians are the "Israel of God" and have been "appointed over all Christ's belongings". Therefore understanding must be correct. The reasoning is circular, which doesn't make it wrong in itself, but certainly warrants scrutiny.
Remember that even Jewish proselytes partook of the passover. Hmm ....
Also I think that you are being generous to suggest that a small group of ten thousand or so constitute the Faithful Steward in our doctrine. The correct number is currently 8.

Comment by hezekiah1 on 2012-09-25 15:13:30

Thanks Meleti, I would have to agree as well.
It would seem to to square the account in Luke 12:41 Then Peter said: “Lord,* are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?” 42 And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward,*+ the discreet+ one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?+ 43 Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so!+ 44 I tell YOU truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings.+ 45 But if ever that slave should say in his heart, ‘My master delays coming,’+ and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,+ 46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he is not expecting [him] and in an hour that he does not know,+ and he will punish him with the greatest severity* and assign him a part with the unfaithful ones.+ 47 Then that slave that understood the will of his master but did not get ready or do in line with his will will be beaten with many strokes.+ 48 But the one that did not understand+ and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few.+ Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded+ of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.+
It would seem that it is possible that there are classes of the slave. Ones who actually are feeding the sheep, ones who might beat their fellow slaves. As well as these two other classes. (While I have tried to research these latter two classes of the slave, there is very little written in our publications about this. On purpose? I'm not sure. However I find it peculiar that a scripturual pillar so central to our organization has so little written about the second part of it.)
Are not almost all of Jehovah's people involved in feeding ones the truth from God's Word? Jesus asks the question: Who is this Slave? He answers the question by showing it is the person who is DOING so. To be sure, there are many who genuinely are doing their best to care for the sheep.
However, what of the slave who beats the menservants and maidservants? Who could this be? and in what way does he beat his fellow slaves?
That would be an interesting discussion.

• Reply by Pauline Spearing on 2012-11-11 13:20:27

  I concur...:)
  nb. The word used for steward is written in the singular...not plural...
  Could one be forgiven for speculating then, that The Lord may of been speaking of, individuals, in charge of His flock...?...ie Servants/Overseers/Teachers etc etc...?!
  as opposed to a, "Class..."...?
  Or is that too simplistic...?