Parables (9)

Introduction: Have you ever wondered what yo should wear for a particular occasion? Example: Showing up to a wedding in suit and tie only to find the groom in jeans and t-shirt. Or showing up to an interview in casual and the boss walks out with a bow tie. I don't think it would be wise to show up to play in a football game wearing cross country gear.

As Jesus transitions into the parable of the faithful and wise steward, He make a little illustration about dressing for the right occasion in chapter 12:35. Read.

What we can gather from this is that those who belong to Christ should not be dressed with worry but with readiness, not with apathy but with activity, not with foolishness but with faithfulness, not with greed but with gratitude, not with wickedness but with wisdom. This kind of clothing has lasting and eternal value. And as we will see in the parable today , the faithful and wise steward of Christ is characterized by this kind of clothing. Please follow along as we read Luke 12:41-48.

Transition: Please notice the profile of a faithful and wise steward. We first see the question from Peter in verse 41. Explain.

Profile of a faithful and wise steward

See the question and answer in verses 41-42. We can conclude that there are a couple areas this truth should be applied. One is in area of church leadership. But also in area of everyone who is a servant of Christ. ( “everyone” 48)

Faithful = Accountable and responsible

Wise = exercising sound judgment and common sense

Steward = manager, household administrator, a slave given charge over other slaves. A steward is not the owner but rather responsible to oversee what has been entrusted to him.

What does a faithful and wise steward look like? What kind of clothes do they wear? Fist…

Active (12:43-44)

A faithful and wise steward is one who is actively doing what the master has given them to do.

Its obvious from Jesus’ account that the slave knows his Master, knows himself in respect to his Master and acts accordingly.

He is blessed because when his master comes he finds His servant fulfilling the role for which he was left to do. The blessing is described in verse 44 as further responsibilities because he has proven himself trustworthy.

In order to help us understand what is being said here we should reflect on what Jesus taught from last weeks parable concerning the rich fool. We realize that foolishness is contrasted here with faithfulness. And in regards to something as simple as temporary material possessions we should realize again that when we are faithful instead of foolish there will “truly” be blessings for this wise stewardship. Keep in mind that its not more to posses but rather more possessions to steward. This is a key to wisdom… we do not own anything. Rather, we are given stewardship responsibilities and when faithful we will be given of further responsibilities.

Illustrate: This is the same pattern we find in most organizations or companies. When an employee shows activity of being responsible to carry out the wishes of the boss, they are rewarded. Sometimes with a raise. Sometimes with different responsibilities.

A faithful and wise steward is characterized by activity. We should be busy about our Savior's business. Activity alone is not the final standard for faithfulness, but rather activity in the right direction. Many Christians are busy today. But not in the right direction.

Transition: A faithful and wise steward is actively accomplishing, diligently doing, obviously obedient to what his master has left him in charge to do.

Alert (12:45-46)

The faithful and wise steward is one who stays on alert .

The slave in vs 45 tells himself a lie. That the master will be delayed, and so he takes advantage of his role and usurps his authority by beating other slaves. Then, he parties it up just like the rich fool. A lie told to the heart leads to heart toward rebellion.

Its kind of like the old saying, when the cat is away the mice will play. Or have you ever noticed a change in your pace at work when the boss is there as opposed to when the boss isn't there? A wise and faithful Christian, will fulfill there identified roles with alertness. With anticipation of the coming King. But also notice, that just as being active in obedience gains rewards, so too unfaithfulness receives rewards. See verse (46)

False truth has consequence. The slave was adhering to the false identity that he told himself and as a result would reap the full consequence of that identity. He believed in himself and not his master. He identified who he was and what he truly believed, by his actions. This slave was assigned to a place with the unfaithful, with unbelievers because that is in fact who he was.

The warning for us is similar to what James says in his letter. James 2:17

James 2:17 ESV

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Aligned (12:47)

The servant that Jesus now mentions actually knew his mater’s will. He understood what his mater desired from him, and he was well informed of his mater’s purpose. However, he didn't get ready, and didn't act accordingly. He did not make advanced preparation by acting in alignment to the desires of his master. The result will be a severe beating.

It is essential if we are going to be faithful and wise stewards of Christ to align our lives with His purposes. We cannot plead ignorance in these matters. We know what He desires, and what His purposes are. However, we are often sidetracked by our own desires, by our own will and so prove to be unfaithful.

If we are to prove to be faithful and wise then our lives must reflect the will of our Savior. We must live according to His desires. Am I doing that? Are we actually squared up to His agenda?

Transition: A faithful and wise steward is characterized by activity, alertness, alignment, and lastly awareness.

Aware (12:48 a)

Jesus is certainly giving some insight into different degrees or levels of consequence that correspond to different levels of awareness. However, Jesus in not commending ignorance or unbelief. Rather, Jesus is exposing a lack of true understanding and certainly wrongful unbelief.

For example: Luke has recorded in chapter 12 Jesus’ warnings against hypocrisy, greed, and now is giving warning against un-readiness. His whole emphasis has been to reveal what unfaithfulness and unbelief looks like. And whether it is a little unbelief or a lot it will all be justly, righteously, and fairly judged by Jesus’ accordingly.

The example of this un knowing servant teaching us is that we need to make ourselves aware of what the masters will is. The cry for ignorance will not be sufficient on the day of judgment.

Transition: Jesus concludes His comparison and contrast of a wise and faithful steward with a key point. Which we find in the last part of verse 48.

Point (12:48 b)

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required.

What have we been given?

1. Jesus Himself (John 3:16)

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Transition: A key question that we must ask before we concern ourselves with faithfulness and wisdom is, “Am I even a servant of Christ?” “Do I actually belong to Christ.” Then and only then can we begin to evaluate if we re being faithful and wise.

2. Gospel according to the Scriptures (I Corinthians 15:1-4)

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 ESV

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Transition: This is such great news because it answers the question, “how can I be a faithful servant of Christ?” we can be faithful because He was faithful. Faithfulness is not just a matter of self effort, but rather depending of the effort that was accomplished on our behalf. In other words we do not seek to be faithful in order to make ourselves right with God, but we seek to be faithful because Jesus has already been faithful to make us right with God!

3. Grace and faith for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Transition: Individuals have been given the gracious gift of faith and those individuals make up the collective body of Christ. Those who are followers or disciples of Jesus then have also been given a commission.

4. Commission of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Transition: There is so much more that we could add to this list of what our great God and King has so richly given. We should be quick to recognize that an easier question to answer is “What haven't we been given?” We must admit and agree that at this point…

1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?