1. Scripture Reading: Luke 16:1-13
Stewardship
Scripture Reading:
Luke 16:1-13

2. What is a “Steward”? From the Greek word “oikonomos”
“the manager of a household or of household affairs; especially a steward, manager, superintendent” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
It’s someone entrusted with caring for a superior's goods.

3. What is a “Steward”?
In the Old Testament a steward was over an entire household. He was responsible for managing the householder's material goods.
Joseph was both steward in Pharaoh’s house (Gen. 41:39) and he himself had a steward who served under him (Gen 43:19).
Gen 41:39-40, “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.”
Gen 43:19, “So they came near to Joseph's house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house,”

4. What is a “Steward”?
“In the New Testament the word steward refers to a guardian or curator (Matt 20:8; Gal 4:2) in addition to its Old Testament meaning as a manager or superintendent of a household (Luke 8:2-3; 1 Cor 4:1-2)”
(Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
The apostle Paul called himself a steward of Christ's household, responsible to Christ the Master for carrying out an assigned task-to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. All Christians are stewards under Christ (1 Peter 4:10).”
Matt 20:8-9, “And when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman (steward), 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.‘”
Gal 4:1-2, “Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers (stewards) until the date set by the father.”

5. What are we stewards of?
Our blessings – Matt. 25:14ff and the parable of the talents asks the question: what have we done with what God has blessed us with?
Our time – Eph. 5:16, we’re to make the “most of our time” and our opportunities (redeem the time) Col. 4:5.
Matt 25:14-15, "For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them.”
Eph 5:15-17, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Col 4:5-6, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.”
Ps 90:9-10, “For all our days have declined in Thy fury; We have finished our years like a sigh. 10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.”

6. What are we stewards of?
God’s creation – not for us to abuse nor to worship (Gen. 1:28, 2:15; Rom. 1:25). This is our Father’s world!
Our bodies – our bodies are not to do with as we please! Our bodies are from God - we are not our own Cor. 6:19.
Gen 1:28, “And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Gen 2:15, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
Rom 1:25, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
1 Cor 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

7. What are we stewards of?
Our lives – our very being – Eccles. 12:7, one day our spirit will return to Him who gave it.
Our children – they also are a “gift (heritage) of the Lord” (Ps. 127:3), who has placed them in our care to “bring them up” (Eph. 6:4).
Eccl 12:7, “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Ps 127:3-4, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.”

8. What are we stewards of?
God’s word – God has put His word in our care. 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 1 Peter 4:10
The Lord’s church – Jesus purchased it with His blood – it belongs to Him! Acts 20:28; Col. 1:24-25.
1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
1 Cor 4:1-2, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”
Eph 3:1-5, “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles — 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit”
Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Col 1:24-25, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,”

9. 7 Key Principles of Stewardship
The common characteristics of our stewardship in all it’s forms!

10. #1–It’s Universal Blessings We can’t say, “It’s not my job!” Time
Creation
Bodies
Children
Life
God’s word
Church
We can’t say, “It’s not my job!”
We are all created beings…Genesis ch. 1 & 2
He is “the Maker of all things” – Isaiah 44:24; John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17;
We have all been blessed with a stewardship from God.
Isaiah 44:24, “Thus says the Lord , your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the Lord, am the maker of all things,
Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone,”
John 1:3, “All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
Col 1:16-17, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created by Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
1 Tim 6:13, “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,”

11. #1– It’s Universal Blessings
Time
Creation
Bodies
Children
Life
God’s word
Church
Application of the potter – clay relationship. Isaiah 64:8; Psalms 119:73; 100:3-4; Acts 17:23-31
We are not “our own” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
Applies to ALL that God has put in our charge. Matt. 25:14ff
Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O Lord , Thou art our Father, We are the clay, and Thou our potter; And all of us are the work of Thy hand.”
Ps 119:73, “Thy hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments”
Ps 100:3-4, “Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.”
Acts 17:24-31, “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands… 27 that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us… Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent,”

12. #2-Submission “Submit therefore to God” (James 4:7; cf., 1 Peter 5:6).
Blessings
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God’s word
Church
“Submit therefore to God” (James 4:7; cf., 1 Peter 5:6).
Parable of the wicked vine-growers (Matt. 21:33ff)
Will the clay rebel against the potter? Isaiah 29:15-16,
Will we yield to the potter & make ourselves “useful to the Master”? (2 Tim 2:19-21).
James 4:6-7, “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. " 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,”
Isaiah 29:15-16, “Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made should say to its maker, ‘He did not make me’; or what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?”
2 Tim 2:19-24, “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness." 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.”
Matt 21:33-42, “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard and put a wall around it and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey. 34 "And when the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. 35 "And the vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third. 36 "Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them. 37 "But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 "But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize his inheritance.' 39 "And they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 "Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers, who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons."

13. #3 - Trust
Blessings
Time
Creation
Bodies
Children
Life
God’s word
Church
Our Master is looking for His stewards to be trustworthy and faithful.
God has “entrusted his possessions” to us. Matt. 25:14,
“it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy…” 1 Cor. 4:1-2, cf., Matt. 25:21, “well done good and faithful slave” (vs. 21)
Entrusted defined - delivered up to the care of another
Matt 25:14-15, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them.”
3 John 5 – John cited Gaius’ trustworthiness.
1 Cor 4:1-4, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.”
Matt 25:14-15, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey… vs. 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.”

14. #3 - Trust Are we guilty of prodigality? Luke 16:1ff
Will we “guard” that which has been entrusted to us? 1 Tim. 6:20
Can God use us in His service because He’s “counted me faithful”? 1 Tim. 1:12
Who can God count on? Luke 12:42
Blessings
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God’s word
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Luke 16:1-3, “Now He was also saying to the disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and this steward was reported to him as squandering his possessions. 2 "And he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.‘”
Luke 16:11-13, “If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? 12 "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.“
Luke 15:11-15, “And He said, "A certain man had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father,' Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' And he divided his wealth between them. 13 "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need.”
1 Tim 6:20-21, “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge" — 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.”
1 Tim 1:12, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service;”
Luke 12:42-45, “And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 "Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

15. #4 - Thankfulness Do we appreciate what God has put in our care?
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord… because He considered me faithful, putting me into service” (1 Tim. 1:12).
Can we articulate the “great things” God has done for us? (Luke 8:39)
Blessings
Time
Creation
Bodies
Children
Life
God’s word
Church
It’s not ours – shouldn’t we express thanks for the opportunity to take care of that which belongs to our God?
1 Tim 1:12, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service;”
Lack of thankfulness leads to…
Complacency of what He has created, selfishness towards our life, negligence and a lack of appreciation for His blessings,
Luke 8:38-39, “But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”
2 Cor 1:11, “you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many.”

16. #5 - Diligence Time Church
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We can be lost for a lack of diligence. Matt. 25:26, “wicked and lazy slave”
It takes work to be a good steward.
Diligence to present ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15)
Diligence to be found by Him “in peace, spotless and blameless” 2 Peter 3:14,
Titus 2:14, zealous for good deeds.
Matt 25:26-27, “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I scattered no seed.’”
Lazy – indolent, lethargic, apathetic (we have to care about what has been entrusted to us). Lagging behind, Rom. 12:11
2 Tim 2:15-17, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
2 Peter 3:14-15, “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation”
Titus 2:14, “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”

17. #6 - Courage Bodies God’s word
Blessings
Time
Creation
Bodies
Children
Life
God’s word
Church
We can’t be a steward overcome by fear - Matt. 25:25, “…I was afraid…”
We can’t be afraid to act within the authority of what the Master has specified.
Deut. 31:6, “Be strong & courageous...” Cf., Deut. 20:1-4; Heb. 13:6.
Even Paul… Acts 18:9
Example – someone puts a rare/antique car in my care and I’m scared to drive it so it just sits for years.
Deut 31:6-7, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.“
Deut 20:1-4, “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. 2 Now it shall come about that when you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. 3 And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4 for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.‘”
Heb 13:6, “…we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me ?’”
Acts 18:9-10, “And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you’”
Eph 6:19-20, “…pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

18. #6 - Courage Bodies God’s word
Blessings
Time
Creation
Bodies
Children
Life
God’s word
Church
When it’s time to fight our spiritual battles, we can’t afford to be one of the fainthearted. Deut. 20:3-8, (cf., Judges 7:3)
“Afraid”– “Phobeo” - to be alarmed or frightened - our English word “phobia”.
God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power, love & discipline (2 Tim. 1:7)!
Deut 20:3-9, “And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4 for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' 5 "The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, 'Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. 6 'And who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man begin to use its fruit. 7 'And who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him depart and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.' 8 "Then the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, 'Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers' hearts melt like his heart.' 9 "And it shall come about that when the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people.
Judges 7:3, when Gideon sent 22,000 of the 32,000 soldiers home because they were afraid and trembling.
2 Tim 1:7-8, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

19. #7 - Accountability
Blessings
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Creation
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Children
Life
God’s word
Church
Accounts will be settled with Him who has given us this stewardship:
Matt. 25:19, “…the Master… came and settled accounts with them”
Luke 16:2, “…give an account of your stewardship…”
This accounting will take place “before the judgment seat of Christ”, (2 Cor. 5:6-10)
Matt 25:19-20, “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.”
To make a reckoning.- Matt. 18:23-24

20. #7 - Accountability
Will we be found to be a “good” steward? 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
The accounting for our stewardship will be an individual accounting: Rom. 14:12,
Blessings
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Eccels. 12:7 – what has been given to us will be returned to God.
Rom. 14:12; “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

21. Accountability
What do we do if we wish to be forgiven for our lack of stewardship?
How can we ensure that the settling of our accounts will be something to be longed for?
Repent of our sins and become obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Blessings
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Creation
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God’s word
Church