PONZINI: The River Jordan and the Dead Sea ... A lesson in stewardship

High in the northern mountains of Israel, the snow rests gently upon the peaks of Mount Hermon. When spring arrives, that snow begins to melt, and the cold, clear water starts its long journey downward through the rocky slopes. It trickles into small rivulets, gathers into streams and finally forms one of the most famous rivers in Scripture — the River Jordan. 

The Jordan is a river full of life and movement. As it flows southward through the land, it nourishes everything in its path. Along its banks, trees grow tall, crops flourish, animals drink and communities thrive. The water that began high on Mount Hermon has become a source of life and vitality for an entire region. The Jordan River receives water, but it doesn’t keep it for itself. It passes that gift on, sharing what it has received so freely from above. 

Eventually, the Jordan empties into the Dead Sea. At first glance, the Dead Sea is stunning. Its deep blue surface reflects the sky beautifully, and its mineral-rich waters shimmer in the sunlight. But underneath that beauty lies a sad reality: nothing lives there. No fish swim in its depths; no plants grow along its shores. It is, quite literally, dead. 

And the reason is simple. The Dead Sea receives, but it does not give. It takes in the fresh, living water of the Jordan River, but it has no outlet.  There is no stream flowing onward, no way for the water to continue its life-giving journey. So, the water sits. The sun beats down, the heat causes the water to evaporate, and what remains is water heavy with salt and minerals, too harsh to support life.   

The River Jordan and the Dead Sea are both fed by the same source.  They both receive the same water from Mount Hermon. Yet one is life-giving, while the other is stagnant and lifeless. The difference lies not in what they receive, but in what they give (adapted from a traditional Christian illustration comparing the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. Original author unknown). 

This simple geographical truth carries a profound spiritual message. It’s a picture of what God intends for each of us. Everything we have — our faith, our talents, our resources, even our breath — is a gift that flows down from the mountain of God’s grace. We are not the source; we are the channels. 

When we receive God’s blessings and allow them to flow through us to others, our lives become fresh, moving and alive, like the River Jordan.  But when we hold on tightly to what we have been given, refusing to share or to serve, we become full, but lifeless, like the Dead Sea. 

This is the essence of Christian stewardship. Stewardship is not merely about financial giving, though that is one important expression of it. True stewardship is a way of life. It is the recognition that everything belongs to God, and that we are entrusted with His gifts for a purpose. We are called to receive gratefully, manage responsibly and share generously. 
Think about how Jesus lived. His entire life was one of giving. He received everything from the Father — love, power, mission — and He poured it out for us. On the cross, He gave completely, holding nothing back. That is the heart of stewardship: to live in such a way that our lives, like His, are poured out for the good of others.   

When we live with open hands and open hearts, something beautiful happens. Our generosity multiplies life. Our time given in service becomes someone’s encouragement. Our resources given in faith become someone’s hope. Our kindness shared freely becomes a reflection of God’s own love. In giving, we ourselves become more alive, more joyful, more free. 

But when we clutch tightly and insist on keeping what we have for ourselves, we begin to stagnate. Our spiritual lives can grow dry and heavy, weighed down by self-protection and fear. Just as the Dead Sea grows bitter by holding everything in, our souls grow weary when they stop giving. 

God’s invitation to us is simple yet life-changing: be a river, not a reservoir. Let the grace you receive flow through you. Let your life bless others. Be generous with your love, your time, your forgiveness and your gifts. The same water that flows from the mountain of God’s mercy into your life is meant to flow outward to your family, your parish, your community and beyond.

When we live this way, we become fully alive. We become like the River Jordan, fed by the ultimate Source, our loving God, flowing with life and leaving behind a trail of blessings wherever we go.
 
Father Thomas V. Ponzini is the pastor at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.