Are we Faithful Stewards?

Meditation from Luke Chapter 16

Jesus shares a parable on an unfaithful and unjust steward in Luke 16:1-8. Through this parable and from the context of the chapter we can learn the qualities of a faithful steward.

First, God is the Master and we are called to be Stewards to whom He has entrusted many things.

1. In the Least – “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10 NKJV)

We need to be faithful even in the least matters. There is always a possibility of missing or compromising faithfulness in little and trivial matters; but God is concerned about those little things. Because faithfulness is not a practice but lifestyle. Only when it becomes a lifestyle we will not overlook even little things to be faithful.

2. In the unrighteous mammon – “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (16:11)

Faithfulness in money, wealth and things of the world that are entrusted to us. This is possible only when we live as a true Christian in all the areas of life and not just be spiritual in matters of spirituality; which is hypocrisy. This is a true test of one’s Christian life – how he reflects Christ likeness in the so called “non-sacred” areas.

3. In what is another man’s – “…if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (16:12)

We tend be careless when it comes to other’s things that are entrusted to us, to use. They are not merely used, but often, misused. But we are called to be faithful in what belongs to others. Examples of borrowed vehicles, rented space & places, etc.

4. In loving & serving God – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13).

We cannot be faithful in our love & service to God if we are divided between Him and money / worldly things.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15,16 NRSV)

5. In Preaching & Witnessing –

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16)

“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’” (Luke 16:27,28)

We are called to be faithful in preaching the kingdom of God and testifying God’s word and the gospel. Like the rich man many will be crying out from the hades to God, for their families and friends who have not heard God’s word and the gospel. We who have the Word are called to be the Witnesses! Not just witnesses, but faithful witnesses who will testify to everyone around them.

Let us be faithful even in the least things, in money & world’s things, in what belongs to others, in our love & service to God and in witnessing the word and kingdom of God!

If He is Our Master…

Meditation from Luke Chapter 12

“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching…. And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward…” (Luke 12:37,42)

Jesus is our Master and we are called to be His stewards. In this chapter, taking the analogy of the Master-Steward, Jesus talks about His second coming. “…the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware…” (12:46).

In this context, Jesus shares the Purpose in our life in respect to His coming and the Punishment for not fulfilling His purpose,

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (12:47)

A right steward is the one who,

a) Knows the Master’s will

b) Prepares himself

c) Does according to His will

A steward is responsible for everything the master has entrusted him and gives account to the master. In this chapter we can find the signs of being a ‘faithful and wise steward’.

1. Covered Words – “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2,3)

On the Day of Judgment we need to give account to every word that we spoke; words that we covered and spoke in hiding.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)

How are our words?

2. Confessing Jesus – “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8,9)

If He is our Master and we are His steward we will confess Jesus and not deny Him, through our words and life.

Does my words and life confess & demonstrate Christ or deny Him?

3. Covetousness – “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

A steward is always satisfied with what he has, for he knows that the giver is the Master and He makes no mistake. “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (12:21).

We should not allow covetousness and greed for money and possessions to creep into our life. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (12:34). Our heart should seek eternal treasures!

4. Cares & Concerns of Life – “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing… If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” (Luke 12:22,23,26)

A steward is not anxious! For He trusts the Master for his life and of his family and people with him. If I am anxious for everything, then I am not trusting Jesus to be my Lord and Master!

We should not be anxiety-centered or anxiety-driven, but Christ-centered and Christ-driven!

5. Complacency – “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” (Luke 12:45,46)

Complacency will rob us of faithfulness and wisdom and will make us evil servants and not good stewards. It is the lack of preparedness and a sign of lack of fear of God.

To summarize need to “…seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (12:31).

Let us as faithful and wise stewards, continue to know the Master’s will, prepare ourselves and do according to His will, for we need to give account of everything He gave in our life.