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Who is Steward? Part 1 - Introduction printer-friendly
MP3
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!!
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