The Parable of the Faithful Steward

Introduction:

In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus tells a parable about a manager accused of wasting his employer's possessions who then tries to use manipulation to secure his future by currying favor with debtors. Although Jesus doesn't commend the steward's dishonesty, he does highlight his shrewdness, and he uses the opportunity to offer a lesson about our relationship with material resources.

Generosity is one of the hallmarks of a faithful and obedient Christian. However, in today's world, we can easily fall into the trap of believing that our material possessions belong solely to us, that we have full control over them, or that their value defines our worth. The parable of the faithful steward exposes this flawed way of thinking and reminds us that God is the ultimate owner of everything, and we are simply the stewards of what he entrusts to us. Therefore, with grateful hearts for the blessings we have received, we must strive to act wisely, honestly, and purposefully in our stewardship, using all resources at our disposal not for our glory, but for God's glory and the well-being of others.

Luke 16:1–13 “Now He was also saying to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions. “And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg. ‘I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me into their homes.’ “And he summoned each one of his master’s debtors, and he began saying to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ “Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He *said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ “And his master praised the unrighteous manager beca…”

I. Realize the significance of the resources God has given us

A. Recognize that God is the ultimate owner of all resources

- Luke 16:12 “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?”

B. Acknowledge the special responsibility of stewardship placed on us

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.”

C. Embrace the privilege and honor of being a steward for God

Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”

II. Cultivate Faithfulness in Stewardship

A. Demonstrate faithfulness with small things

Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”

B. Be diligent in your stewardship

Proverbs 27:23 “Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;”

C. Act with integrity when faced with challenges

- 2 Corinthians 8:21 “for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

III. Have the wisdom to recognize the Ultimate purpose of our Stewardship

A. Use resources to further God’s purposes

Luke 16:9 ““And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

B. Build God’s kingdom instead of your own

Matthew 6:33 ““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

C. Keep your perspective fixed on eternal goals

- Colossians 3:2 (NIV): "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Conclusion: Let us strive for faithfulness in stewardship, using the resources we have been given for God’s Kingdom and relinquishing the mindset of ownership for the blessings of being trusted with resources. Let us reflect Jesus Christ and His faithfulness as stewards of what God has given us.