S225 Extreme Stewardship

Introduction

A. The dilemma of a preacher: Sunday comes every week…what to preach?

1. A wide array of people needing a wide array of spiritual nourishment

Wide array of spiritual depth needed.

Wide array of topics needing reminders, exploration, and encouragement.

2. Am I qualified to preach?

Do I understand it in depth?

Am I approaching this with an agenda?

3. Do I want to preach?

Am I going to be convicted? Am I going to be required to make an uncomfortable change?

4. Will they listen, ignore, or invite me to find a new career?

B. Today’s message comes from a text we probably know…but want to ignore

1. Honestly, I speak for myself, if for no one else

2. You have likely heard this passage many times

Parable of the talents and the parable of the sheep and the goats.

3. You might even feel comfortable with some of the obvious applications

4. Perhaps, you struggle to take the gut wrenching and extreme position Jesus seems to be taking

C. Jesus is teaching about stewardship in our passage

1. Stewardship during our time on earth

2. Stewardship with perspective: God has given and expects us to use correctly

3. Stewardship with focus: God has intentions of these resources we’ve been given

D. Stewardship is an important topic

1. Not just something we mention in passing during the offering

2. Not a once a year topic about how I manage my finances

3. It has to do with so many more things than just money

4. Stewardship means we are responsible to someone for something

Someone has entrusted you with something of theirs that is valuable.

Like if you let me borrow your car. A friend of mine just got a new luxury Audi S8…the fast, fun, beautiful car. Would that friend be happy if I blew the motor, transmission, or wrapped it around a telephone pole? “Whew, that accident was bad, but thankfully your car was a nice one with great safety features, I walked away unscathed…sorry your insurance won’t cover me during a street race.”

The Army entrusted me as a steward with many things at different times. We call it “signing for something.” It means you have been given government property, you sign acknowledging you take responsibility, then you can be held responsible if you mistreat the item. Everything from a weapon, to a HMWWV, to a tool box. Some people are stewards of tens of millions of dollars of equipment.

We can be in trouble as the steward if we don’t use the item we’ve been given for the right reasons.

5. You and I are stewards of God’s resources

Time, money, relationships, talent, opportunities.

These are God’s and Jesus has a lesson for us to remind us how He wants us to use them.

E. Context: Parables of Jesus’ Return

1. We need to make sure we are all on the same page with parables

a. What is a parable?

A parable is a relatable story comparing spiritual truths with physical realities.

They tend to be obvious to the original hearers, to help them understand something less obvious (the spiritual reality).

“Parable” comes from a Greek word that means “to lay alongside.” You “lay” the physical truth/story alongside the spiritual truth to help understand.

“Earthly story explaining a heavenly reality.”

b. How do we read a parable?

Parables have a story line, details, and sometimes many characters.

They have ONE POINT. Often, Jesus explains His parables, but even when He does not, it is upon us to learn that ONE POINT. Possibly, multiple applications, but one point.

2. These parables are during Jesus’ final days

He is teaching final lessons the people must understand.

3. A series of three parables

Source: Workshop in the Word, Guy Orbison, Jr., p. 56.

a. Theme: The return of Jesus

b. Point: Live like the return is certain and imminent.

c. How it unfolds:

Matthew 24.42-51 Be Alert for the Return

Preparation is what keeps a surprise from happening.

Living like the return could happen at any moment.

Matthew 25.1-13 Be Prepared for the Return

Even if you “fall asleep” in preparation for the wedding, if you are equipped and ready, you will still get in.

Don’t let a lack of preparation prevent you from getting in.

Matthew 25.14-30 Be Busy Before the Return

While waiting, be busy doing the work God wants from you.

Keep using the things God has given while waiting for Jesus’ return.

E. Today, we will see extreme stewardship in two parables

1. Extreme stewardship is about faithful use of what God has given us

2. Extreme stewardship is about faithful application of what God has given us

3. It is extreme in many ways

Different from the world.

Different from “standard Christianity.”

Different, because extreme spiritual stewardship has to do with knowing what you have, using what you have, and being intentionally and intensely generous with what you have.

PRAYER

TRANSITION

Body

I. Defining Extreme Stewardship: Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25.14-30)

Matthew 25:14–30 NASB95

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “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. “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “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.’ “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “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.’ “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “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. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

A. Unfolding the Parable

1. Slaves entrusted

a. They were entrusted with different amounts

...each according to his own ability… (Matthew 25.15)

The Master knew what He had to give, He also understood what the men were capable of, and He entrusted them with just the right amount of responsibility.

b. These were very large sums of money

Depends on the amount of a “talent” of money and whether it was silver or gold.

Some estimates put the amounts as follows:

5 Talents: ~$3,200,000.00

2 Talents: ~1,280,000.00

1 Talent: ~$640,000.00

Estimates as described in Workshop in the Word (WITW), 2016, Guy Orbison, Jr., p. 58.

c. They were stewards (not their money)

2. Two were faithful

a. They invested the resources given by the master.

Investing can be and feel risky.

Maybe they were just as nervous as the other servant who was stuck in place.

b. They received a return on that investment.

c. Key Observation: They used the resources for their intended purposes

3. One was neglectful

a. Didn’t use the resources

b. Buried the resources

c. Reason: was “afraid” to use

4. Blessings and condemnation

a. Blessings on those who were fruitful

They used the resources the right way.

The Master thought they were successful because of their actions, not because of the amount of ROI.

b. Condemnation for the one who wasted the resource

It was not about the return or the amount. The Master even calls them …a few things...

It was about not even doing a minimum.

B. Understanding the Parable

1. We are the servants, God is the Master

2. We have “talents”

a. Extremely valuable

We might be tempted to think, “I don’t have as much to offer as the other person...”

But God HAS given you something, and He still sees it as very valuable.

Not having “5 Talents” does not remove responsibility.

b. Each given according his ability (Mt 25.15)

No one has been over burdened with too much responsibility.

WITW, Guy Orbison, Jr., p. 58.

Your burden or responsibility is different than others.

God has a purpose for what He gave you, based on who you are and what you can accomplish.

c. They are the Master’s, but we have been given them for a purpose

3. God expects us NOT to waste our talents

a. Using them, investing them, furthering the purposes of God’s mission

b. Neglect because we don’t know how, or why, or because we are afraid is not a good enough excuse

C. Applying the Parable

1. What are the talents entrusted to you as a steward?

Time, money, resources, health, relationships, opportunities, interests, abilities...

These are your stewardship.

2. What have you been doing with these resources?

Are you seeking the benefit of the kingdom of God with your time, money, relationships, talents, interests?

Are you using those same talents the way God would if He were in your shoes?

Have you considered WHY God has given you these resources? These talents?

3. God wants more than the minimum

a. If the minimum for the last servant was simply to put the money in the bank, that would have been better than nothing

b. What is the minimum God wants from the talents He has given His people?

Learn and grow in maturity in His word.

Be around His people.

Getting rid of sin in your life.

These are the “interest” payments from investing your gift…the gift of salvation and grace.

c. How might you take the minimum and excel?

Intentional meetings with people.

Focused giving of money, resources, time.

Using your retirement for kingdom efforts.

Using your health (good or bad) as opportunities to share God’s love and truth with others.

Using your influence over others (relationships—neighbors, children, friends) to share God’s love and truth with others).

4. Are you spending them as if the Master might return any time now, or are you hoarding them in the ground?

Keeping all your resources for a “rainy day.”

Keeping all your resources for your own enjoyment.

Keeping all your resources because you don’t know what to do with them…afraid to act.

Maybe you think you “already did that” and are finished with your efforts and investments into the kingdom…but until the Master returns, we are still “investing” His resources

D. Jesus isn’t finished…there’s another parable

1. We might be tempted to separate these parables

2. We might think of them as unrelated

3. It seems Jesus has connected these two ideas

4. How might stewardship connect to the Day of Judgment?

TRANSITION

II. Describing Extreme Stewardship: Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25.31-46)

Matthew 25:31–46 NASB95

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

A. Unfolding the Parable

1. A few things are clear:

a. A judgment is coming

Jesus is the Righteous Judge in His full glory.

b. God will easily differentiate between those who are His and those who are not

They are separated as easily as sheep from the goats.

Even if judgment between people is difficult for us, it is not for God.

c. Generosity plays a part in God’s judgment

I believe this is connected to the stewardship, which is why it is connected with “But...” or “And...”

In response to the idea that there is a judgment coming for those who are stewards, Jesus describes the judgment scene.

2. Seems a bit unclear (to us): How does generosity play a part?

There seems to be a connection by the language.

It seems there are REASONS, or evidence given as to why the righteous are the sheep and the unrighteous are the goats.

Jesus connects it to these sheep showing kindness, righteousness, generosity to the less fortunate: hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, imprisoned...

3. God’s people will be generous…even when it doesn’t feel like it “counts”

They were helping those who needed help, even when they didn’t realize it was affecting God.

In fact, when they helped others, God saw it as helping Him.

4. The condemned are those who ignored the less fortunate

a. They didn’t help those less fortunate (hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, imprisoned…)

b. They didn’t associate their generosity with their service to the Lord

B. Understanding the Parable

1. God will judge every person, and it will be easy for Him

2. God expects work from His people

a. In the parable: generosity to the less fortunate

b. This is not a “formula” for spiritual success

c. This reveals a similar character to God’s character

God is merciful and wants to show compassion to those who cannot help themselves.

The sheep were showing mercy and compassion to the people who could not help themselves.

d. We might ask, “What are all these resources (talents) given to me to accomplish?”

Jesus might be answering that question here.

If we are ready for the return of Jesus, for the return of the Master, then we are actively using the talents God has given us to do the things God wants done.

3. There are going to be people in the “goats” side of judgment who are surprised their efforts are unrewarded

a. Maybe they were “religious” or “good” people

b. But they did not use their resources, time, or talents in the service of those God wants cared for on His behalf

c. They do not reflect the character of the Master

C. Applying the Parable

1. Everyone expects this Judgment Day, don’t we?

2. Everyone expects to be on the side of the sheep

3. Are we reflecting the proper character of our Master so that God sees us in that sheep crowd?

4. The stewardship of our time and resources will reflect in how we treat people who are less fortunate than us

5. The proper treatment of others is not about those people, but about treating them as though they were our very Master in need

TRANSITION

Conclusion

A. Do we think neglect is unimportant?

1. “God won’t mind…right?”

2. Jesus has tied our stewardship to His return and judgment

3. How can we claim to be faithful if we neglect using what God has given us?

a. Do we think about money?

Money is the easy resource we often think about. Are we like the foolish man who built extra barns because he wanted “more.” He didn’t want to work, so instead of sharing with others, he hoarded his own resources.

This includes our resources, like our car, house, clothing, tools, food, other things.

b. Do we think about time?

Retirement is full of time. God doesn’t give us time to simply sit around watching Netflix all day. There is a reason you have been given another day…perhaps, a reason why God has given you time in your retirement years.

c. Do we think about our abilities and resources?

God is responsible for your talents and abilities. Even for your interests. Are you an organizer? A business savvy money manager? Do you connect easily with people? Are you good at baking or cooking? Can you do math or science well? Good at tinkering with cars or making beautiful craft projects? God has given these as talents to you.

d. Do we think about our health?

So long as you have the health to do things, God is allowing you time to work for Him. Even if your health is failing, this might be a work opportunity God is providing for you. Does He want you to minister to the health workers? Is there a fellow patient who needs your spiritual influence and encouragement?

e. Do we think about our relationships?

We all have unique relationships with unique opportunities: parents, children, neighbors, co-workers, friends, business or professional relationships. How has God uniquely placed you in the life of this person or that? Are you using that relationship with a mind toward the work God has for you?

4. I think we can agree that neglecting our talents and opportunities is not okay…God sees this as a very important subject and so should we

B. Do we think generosity is unimportant?

1. Is our giving of money each week, or the time we spend at church enough?

2. Does God consider us generous with our talents?

3. Do we reflect the generosity of God in our stuff?

God was so generous that He removed all obstacles from our pathway to be saved.

God has given us things, resources, time, talents, interests, jobs, relationships all as a chance to be generous for the people who cannot help themselves.

God wants us to work for Him, doing His will, with His stuff.

C. Are we practicing extreme stewardship?

1. This is extreme…which means it is uncomfortable

It might take some unusual sacrifices on our part.

It might mean parts of our life are less comfortable or enjoyable than our peers.

It means we take God’s word seriously about His view of our stuff and our use of that stuff.

2. Stewardship is the key to remember when things get tough or we ask, “Does God REALLY want me to do that…?”

It is God’s stuff, time, resources, talents.

We have been entrusted with it.

What if Jesus were the one with your money, your retirement time, your job, your friendships, your children, your health? What would He be doing with it?

3. This is a lifestyle and it will look different in each one of us

As you might be the 5 talent servant and I am the 2 talent and she is the 1 talent…we all have different resources.

You might be getting double return, and I might be getting single, and she might be getting triple returns.

But God is watching our use of His resources…He will return, and we will be put in our groups of sheep and goats.

4. How does God want us to be stewards of His resources?