|PIC1|"This word 'stuff' in the context of 'what you need to keep an eye on', came up in conversation recently, and I've been reflecting on both the word and the idea behind it," M V Tronson said.
As the Australian Cricket team chaplain for 17 years until 2001, and from then involved with the Life After Cricket ministry, Mark Tronson is very familiar with the cricket imagery of the 12th man who amongst other things, looks after the 'stuff' in the change room.
"Growing up with the King James (The Authorised) version of the Bible, the word 'stuff' is quite a familiar one as it invariably refers to the material things that require attention," M V Tronson noted.
· The first reference comes from Genesis 37 where Jacob challenges Laban his father-in-law that he had searched his stuff for the Laban family idol images.
· A little later in Chapter 45 Pharaoh tells Joseph not to regard his 'stuff' as the good of entire land of Egypt is his.
· In Exodus the word pops up in relation to 'law' when money or 'stuff' is stolen.
· And in Chapter 36 the word 'stuff' is in the context of ample offerings.
There are a total of eleven references to the word 'stuff'.
"The story of David relating to 'stuff' is perhaps the best known reference, where in 1 Samuel 25:13 two hundred of his men 'abode by the stuff'," M V Tronson mused.
Those who stayed behind with the stuff played just as an important a role as those who went out to do battle, and this same idea M V Tronson notes, is put forward in terms of Salvation in the New Testament where one sews and another reaps.
"I'm confident that as in my own experience, that all missionary and clerical husbands will vouch that their wives who hold the home fort are their greatest asset, and their greatest gift from the Lord," M V Tronson noted.
He adds that without such stalwart support, much mission work would not have been nearly as effective or as meaningful.
"This idea of staying with the 'stuff' is not restricted to being 'home' rather it has far wider reference points as 'partnership'. This partnership idea carries with it a sense of equality and the part that prayer partners play in Christian ministry", M V Tronson explained.
It is in these broader ideas that Christian ministry finds strength and which play a crucial role in ministry outcomes.