1795. And my "child," the steward of my household, symbolizes outward religion, as can be seen from what the steward of a household symbolizes on an inner level, or in regard to religion. Outward religion is called the steward of a household when real, internal religion is the household itself and when the head of the house is the Lord. This is exactly the role of the outward church. All management belongs to the external aspect of religion. This includes administration of the rites and of other activities associated with the church building and with religion itself — that is, with the house of Jehovah, or the Lord's house.
[2] The externals of religion without the internals are nothing. The internals make the externals something and give them their quality. The situation resembles that of a human being. Our facade, or our person, is not much by itself, unless there is something inside to animate it and bring it to life. So what is inside determines how good the outside is. In other words, the nature of our thoughts and instincts determines the value of everything expressed through our outward, physical part. What the heart holds makes us who we are, not words or gestures. The same with the inward aspects of religion. Still, the externals of religion are like our own externals; they carry out all management and administration. To say the same thing another way, our outward, physical self can likewise be called the steward or manager of a household when the household is that of our inward parts.
This shows what childlessness is; it is a time when there is no inward aspect to religion, only an outward aspect, as was true in the period the Lord was deploring.
