One ¹  should think about us this way – as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful.

But he is under guardians ¹  and managers until the date set by his ²  father.

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another ¹  as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus the city treasurer and our brother Quartus greet you. ¹ 

For the overseer ¹  must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work, ²  not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

The Lord replied, ¹  “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, ²  whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, ³  to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?

Jesus ¹  also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations ²  that his manager ³  was wasting ⁴  his assets.

Then ¹  the manager said to himself, ‘What should I do, since my master is taking my position ²  away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig, ³  and I’m too ashamed ⁴  to beg.

The ¹  master commended the dishonest ²  manager because he acted shrewdly. ³  For the people ⁴  of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries ⁵  than the people ⁶  of light.