Who is Steward?
by Chris Cumming
I want to begin today by reading to you a parable. Turn to Luke 16.
Luke16: 1-12
1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man,
which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had
wasted his goods.
2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of
thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer
steward.
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord
taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship,
they may receive me into their houses.
5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto
the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take
thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An
hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and
write fourscore.
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely:
for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the
children of light.
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into
everlasting habitations.
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:
and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who
will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who
shall give you that which is your own?
I don’t want to just read this without explaining some terms and
phrases, so go back to verse eight:
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely:
for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the
children of light.
Why is the lord commending the unjust steward. Who are the, “the
children of the world” here? Who are the, “children of light”?
The lord commended
- Praised, or expressed admiration at his wisdom. These are not the words of
Jesus, as commending him, but a part of the narrative or parable. His “master”
commended him - saw that he was wise and considerate, though he was dishonest.
The unjust steward
- It is not said that his master commended him because he was “unjust,” but
because he was “wise.” This is the only thing in his conduct of which there is
any approbation [warm and/or official approval; praise] expressed, and
this approbation was expressed by “his master.” This passage cannot be brought,
therefore, to prove that Jesus meant to commend his dishonesty. It was a
commendation of his “shrewdness or forethought;” but the master could no more
“approve” of his conduct as a moral act than he could the first act of cheating
him.
The children of this world
- Those who are “devoted” to this world; who live for this world only; who are
careful only to obtain property, and to provide for their temporal necessities.
It does not mean that they are especially wicked and profligate, but only that
they are “worldly,” and anxious about earthly things. See Matthew 13:22; 2
Timothy 4:10.
Quoted verses:
Matthew 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the
care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he
becometh unfruitful.
2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed
unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Are wiser
- More prudent, cunning, and anxious about their particular business. They show
more skill, study more plans, contrive more ways to provide for themselves, than
the children of light do to promote the interests of religion.
In their generation
- Some have thought that this means “in their manner of living, or in managing
their affairs.” The word “generation” sometimes denotes the manner of life,
Genesis 6:9; Genesis 37:2. Others suppose that it means “toward or among the
people of their own age.” They are more prudent and wise than Christians in
regard to the people of their own time; they turn their connection with them to
good account, and make it subserve their worldly interests, while Christians
fail much more to use the world in such a manner as to subserve their spiritual
interests.
Quoted verses:
Genesis 6:9
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his
generations, and Noah walked with God.
Genesis 37:2
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was
feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah,
and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his
father their evil report.
Children of light - Those who have been enlightened from above - who are Christians. This may be considered as the application of the parable. It does not mean that it is more wise to be a worldly man than to be a child of light, but that those who “are” worldly show much prudence in providing for themselves; seize occasions for making good bargains; are active and industrious; try to turn everything to the best account, and thus exert themselves to the utmost to advance their interests; while Christians often suffer opportunities of doing good to pass unimproved; are less steady, firm, and anxious about eternal things, and thus show less wisdom. Alas! this is too true; and we cannot but reflect here how different the world would be if all Christians were as anxious, and diligent, and prudent in religious matters as others are in worldly things. ~Barnes Notes
This is some parable. It is called the parable of the unjust steward. However,
there is much more here than an account of the unjust steward. It is an
admonition to us to become better stewards in all areas of our physical and
spiritual lives.
Notice verse 2 again…
Luke 16:2
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give
an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
The lord here is asking for an accounting… “Give an account.” Give a statement
of your expenses and of your conduct while you have been steward.
My purpose today is threefold:
1. Define what a steward is.
2. To encourage you to give an account before your Lord.
3. To instruct you in being a good steward.
Item One: What is a steward?
A steward is someone who looks after something which has been given to them and
is really not their own possession, though they may have in some cases the use
of it for a time. Since the steward is entrusted with something the steward is
also accountable to the person who gave them the job. Many people today do
similar tasks as in the Bible but are just not called stewards. The closest
similar position today would be manager. Unless they own the business or company
they will be accountable to someone higher up for what they do as manager.
People who are not good stewards (or managers) can have drastic
consequences on others.
Definition of STEWARDSHIP
1. the office, duties, and obligations of a steward.
2. the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the
careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care
<stewardship of natural resources.
3. the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something.
4. the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction
or control.
Synonyms: administration, care, charge, control, direction, governance,
government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight,
presidency, regulation, running, conduct, superintendence, superintendency,
supervision.
Immediately we see two elements
here:
1. The position and actions of steward.
2. The items for which we are acting as steward.
Item Two: Give an Account
I find the second element here most humbling. From the moment of my birth to
the day of my physical death, nothing is really mine. All my possessions, all
my knowledge and all my skills and talents are things God has set before me.
The famous radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh describes himself as a man with
talent on loan from God.
We are put on this earth and especially as firstfruits to learn to be good
stewards first of our worldly goods and ultimately with our talents, skills and
all the elements of the Salvation Process. Your time here on earth is an
opportunity to become a wise steward in all these areas. The Word of God
confirms this in many places.
Notice what God is saying in the last four verses of the parable…
Luke 16:9-12
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness [be good stewards of the physical]; that, when ye fail [meaning
when you die], they may receive you into everlasting habitations [the
Kingdom of God-eternal life].
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he
that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will
commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall
give you that which is your own?
The meaning of the last three verses is clear…
Verse 10: If you are faithful or a good steward with what God gives you now, you
will be a good steward of much [referring to much more now and ultimately all
things spiritual and eternal].
Verse 11: To confirm verse 10 we see that if we cannot be a good steward in the
physical things how can God give us more now or all those things spiritual and
eternal, including eternal life?
Verse 12: Another confirmation of verse 10. My stewardship now regards things
that are not even mine. If I cannot be a good steward with all these things
that are on loan to me now, how can I be a good steward to those things that God
promises us will be ours forever...eternal life and the Kingdom of God?
So what are these worldly things that are on temporary loan to us? A short list
follows. These will be points of meditation for you as you formulate your
accounts before God now.
1 Peter 4:17 …first part
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…
Let us look at verses linked to this verse
Matthew 3:9-10
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I
say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree
which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten
with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much
required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
We speak much about bringing forth much fruit in our preaching of the gospel.
These fruits are the principles of God. Invoking them builds character in
us…makes us good and wise stewards.
At this point my encouragement to you is to produce an account for all areas of
your stewardship beginning with the physical and going to the spiritual. Here
is your short list.
1] your life.
2] your marriage.
3] your friendships…relationships.
4] your children.
5] your home and possessions. Your house and car.
6] your finances and money.
7] your education.
8] your job or career.
9] your health; your physical temple.
10] your emotions.
11] your tongue; communications.
12] your conduct.
13] your duties and positions in the church.
14] your Salvation process and all the elements thereof.
15] your possession and use of the Holy Spirit in you.
16] your trials and tribulations…the situations of life.
17] your immersion into the Word of God and living by every word of God.
18] your wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
19] your relationship with Jesus Christ and His body and blood.
20] your relationship with God.
We all have much accounting to do, don’t we? This stewardship is an ongoing and
continual process. One does not become a good steward overnight.
I have dealt now with the first two of my purposes today, namely:
1. Define what a steward is.
2. To encourage you to give an account before your Lord.
Let us move on now to my third purpose of this sermon:
3. To instruct you in being a good steward.
Item Three: Instructions
Let us ask and answer some questions.
1. Has God given us gifts? If so, what are we to do with them?
1 Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2. What are we to do with our works?
Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
3. Regarding our wealth, what are we to do with it regarding our children?
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of
the sinner is laid up for the just.
4. If we go to build or construct something or launch a project, what are we
to do first?
Luke 14:28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and
counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
5. As a steward, what does God want from our character?
Titus 1:7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon
angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
6. As we carry out our stewardship, how are we to do it and to whom are we
working?
Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
7. How are we to be good stewards of our bodies?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in
you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God's.
8. In finances, what does the Bible say is a good bit of wisdom?
Proverbs 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
9. What are we to do with our talents, which are on loan from God
Matthew 25:14-30
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who
called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to
every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and
made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's
money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst
unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee
that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where
thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou
hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou
knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at
my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten
talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but
from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
10. What are we to do regarding the Holy Spirit in us?
Matthew 25:1-4
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
11. Are we to be generous and ready to share?
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life.
12. Where should our desire and love be directed?
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon.
13. What is the first thing we are to do with money we receive?
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open
you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it.
14. What are we to do overall with the Word of God?
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
15. Are we to be good stewards of our possessions and Godly calling to the
end?
Luke 12:42-46
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his
lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in
due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and
shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be
drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and
at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint
him his portion with the unbelievers.
16. Are we to keep the commandments?
Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath
fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not
steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be
any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the
law.
17. What happens if we fail in our stewardship of this high calling we have
been given?
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part
in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
18. As we grow older in the faith, how should we be in our character?
Titus 2:2
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in
patience.
19. What should our stewardship be regarding our brethren in the church and
the ministry?
2 Corinthians 6:3
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
20. How are we to conduct ourselves regarding worldly authorities?
Romans 13:1-7
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of
God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and
they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not
be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the
same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is
evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of
God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
21. How are we to conduct ourselves in the realm of giving?
2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he
which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
These are just a few points of stewardship for our meditations, studies and
prayers. As part of your progress in stewardship, add to this list. Count on
the fact there will be follow-up sermons on the subject.
So, once again, who is steward?
What is a Steward?
Someone who looks after something which has been given to them and is really not
their own possession, though they may have in some cases the use of it for a
time. Since the steward is entrusted with something the steward is also
accountable to the person who gave them the job.
So get on out there and start making an account of yourself!!