Core Values: Faithful Stewardship

Theme: Introduction: The "As If" of Our Lives

What if every task, every decision, and every dollar spent was viewed differently? The passages for today give us an "as if" perspective: working as if for the Lord (Colossians 3:23) and being trustworthy in what is little as if we are preparing for what is much (Luke 16:10). This is the perspective of a faithful steward.

Stewardship is more than just managing money; it is the management of our entire lives—time, resources, relationships, and responsibilities—for God's glory.

Body: Three marks of a faithful steward

1. A faithful steward serves an audience of One (Colossians 3:23–24).

Colossians 3:23–24 NIV

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The command: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men". This principle applies not only to work but to everything. When we live with this mindset, our jobs become acts of worship and service to Christ.

The motive: Our motivation is not the approval of a human boss, our peers, or a performance review. Our ultimate Master is Christ, and we seek his approval.

The reward: The "inheritance from the Lord" is the ultimate reward, far surpassing any earthly compensation. This eternal perspective transforms mundane tasks into meaningful acts of worship.

2. A faithful steward is trustworthy in the "little things" (Luke 16:10).

Luke 10:16 NIV

16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Luke 16:10–14 NIV

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

A test of character: Jesus teaches that faithfulness in "very little" is a prerequisite for being trusted with "much". Our character is revealed not in the spotlight, but in the small, unseen, daily decisions we make.

Financial integrity: While the passage includes money, the principle extends beyond it. How we handle our small commitments, our schedules, and our seemingly insignificant relationships shows whether we can be trusted with larger responsibilities.

Earthly vs. true riches: Jesus contrasts "dishonest wealth" (worldly things) with "true riches" (spiritual realities). Faithful stewardship of the temporary things of this world prepares us for the eternal treasures of God's kingdom.

3. A faithful steward acts with wisdom and justice (Psalm 112:5).

Psalm 112:5 NIV

5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Luke 12:42–48 NIV

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Wise management: Psalm 112 describes the righteous person who is "well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice". This is a wise, not foolish, use of resources. It means being gracious, compassionate, and generous, especially to the poor.

Generosity in the dark: The faithful steward is generous with what God has given them, using their resources for the good of others. They are not defined by prosperity but by their character.

Firm heart in the face of bad news: The psalm contrasts the wise steward with the one who is anxious about bad news. The one who trusts in the Lord and conducts affairs with integrity has a firm heart because their ultimate security is in God, not in earthly possessions.

Conclusion: Living as a faithful steward

Review: A faithful steward:

Serves an audience of One (Colossians 3:23–24).

Is trustworthy in the little things (Luke 16:10).

Acts with wisdom and justice (Psalm 112:5).

Call to action:

Examine your life. What do your everyday actions, habits, and financial records reveal about your priorities?.

Commit to being faithful in the small things, knowing that every act is seen by your Master, Christ.

Serve God with an open, generous heart, using everything he has entrusted to you for his glory and the good of others.