The Master Requires a Faithful Steward

W. B. Riley used to tell the story of a man who had walked the streets of Philadelphia searching for employment. One day he happened to go into the office of a well-known businessman by the name of Girard. When he asked for a job, Mr. Girard answered, “Yes, I can give you work. See that pile of bricks out there? Carry them over to the other end of the yard and stack them up.”

By nightfall the man reported that the project was completed and received his pay. When asked if there would be more work the next day, his employer said, “Yes, come in tomorrow and carry those same bricks back to where you found them.” The following morning he came in early and got busy without a word. For more than a week he was instructed to carry bricks back and forth until it was evident that he could be trusted to do exactly what he was told.

Then he was given a new and bigger responsibility—to go downtown and bid on a large quantity of sugar. Not recognizing him, the people at the auction were surprised by the bid of this total stranger. When it was accepted, the auctioneer asked who would pay the bill. “Mr. Girard,” the man replied. “I am his agent.” He had earned this position by being faithful in a menial task.

When we look into the parable in Luke 19. Jesus Illustrated for those that followed Him the work of stewardship in their lives.

God calls us to be faithful with what He has entrusted us with, and for the disciple to be busy doing the work He has left us to do.

For some time Luke has been describing a journey to Jerusalem. Jericho is about 17 miles from that city, so the journey is nearly over. This led some to think that the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Something big was about to happen, but it would be of a very different kind from the one these people imagined. The parable was to put them right.

As we open to Luke 19 Jesus approaches Zacchaeus requesting to abide at his house (see 19:5). Jesus then speaks the words of

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

I believe it is important to note this verse in the context of the parable to follow. Verse 11 tells us that this parable was given in response to what Jesus said to Zacchaeus and that they thought the kingdom would immediately appear.

It is therefore, the job of the faithful steward to point the lost to the one who is seeking them to bring them redemption and forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus spoke this parable with three purposes in mind:

To show that His kingdom would not immediately be established.

To remind the disciples of His future return.

To show the role of a disciple in stewardship as we await His return.

The Master’s Expectation

Luke 19:12–13 KJV 1900

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The nobleman going to a far country to receive a kingdom reminds us that rulers would make a pilgrimage to Rome to be made king. Remember much of the known world was under Roman control. So, when the leaders wanted to be granted “king” over an area that was under the Roman Empire they would go petition Cesar. Herod the Great had received his kingdom that way. In his will he divided his realm between three of his sons, all of whom in due course went to Rome to press their claims. Archelaus had been left Judea with the title king, but the people detested him and sent representatives to ask that he be not given the kingdom.

There would be special connection to Archelaus in this region, for he had built a magnificent palace in Jericho and also made an aqueduct for irrigation purposes (Josephus, Antiquities xvii.340).

Jesus was the master at taking something that people knew and understood to pointing them to a Truth they needed to hear.

Jesus begins with a master who leaves to receive a kingdom. The master leaves ten servants at his estate and instructs them to invest the substance that he leaves with them.

Jesus however, was not referring to Archelaus but to Himself as the nobleman.

Regarding His Journey

Luke 19:12 KJV 1900

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

He Will Receive a Kingdom

In the parable, a nobleman calls his servants to himself before going into a far country to receive his kingdom. He left instructions with his ten servants regarding what they would be doing while he was gone. Jesus used this to teach that, when He leaves earth for Heaven to await the time of His return, His servants are to continue laboring for the kingdom in His absence.

John 14:1–3 KJV 1900

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

He Will Return

Jesus is preparing the disciples for what would happen after His death and resurrection. He knows the state of Israel at this point, and that His earthly kingdom will be postponed for the time being. In spite of the delay, He emphasizes the promise that He will return.

Acts 1:6–7 KJV 1900

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Regarding our Responsibility

Luke 19:13 KJV 1900

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The word “occupy” tells us that the nobleman expected his servants to take the ten ponds and invest it in order to produce more and make it prosperous.

The nobleman, expecting his servants to build upon his income, gave each servant a portion of money to invest. God has given talents and resources to each of us, and He expects us to invest them in His work.

Psalm 85:12 KJV 1900

Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; And our land shall yield her increase.

Stewardship

We are God’s stewards; nothing on this earth belongs to us. Everything has been entrusted to our care and use. Our finances, our homes, and our cars all belong to God. We are given so much in our lives. We are truly blessed by what God has given us. We are blessed in America to have more than we need.

The United States even with all our problems is still the greatest country in the world. There are some that doesn’t have much but most in america have more than we need. We do because God has blessed this country. But how are we using the things God has trusted us with?

Tithing

We cannot talk about stewardship without talking about your tithe. I won’t be one of those that just tell you to give me your money.

But there are two ways specifically mentioned in Scripture that Christians can wisely steward their finances: Tithes and offerings.

The Master’s Inspection

The First Good Servant

The Second Good Servant

A Wicked Servant

The Master’s Recognition

He rewards the Faithful

He Judges the Unfaithful

He Punishes the Unbelieving

Conclusion