April 6, 2025

Stewardship #

Luke 16:1-4

Introduction

I wanted to start a series on stewardship. What is stewardship? What is expected of a steward.

Many times Jesus clarifies when he is telling a parable. This is not specified as a parable. It could have been a real life account that the Lord used as an illustration. Often real life stories make great illustrations.

This account is also unique to the Gospel of Luke. It doesn’t show up in any of the other Gospels. This doesn’t make it less Bible. It is simply the only account we have to draw information from.

I. The Responsibility (1) #

A. Definition #

Steward - A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants, collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like.

1. A steward doesn’t own the things he manages them #

Gen. 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

2. A good steward will make someone else rich! #

B. Application #

1Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1. Jesus paid the price for you… #

1Pet. 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

2. You don’t belong to self, you belong to God! #

….therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor 6:20)

II. The Requirement (1) #

A. Bad steward! #

1. This story revolves around a bad steward to prove a point. #

B. God Asks for faithfulness! #

1Cor. 4:1 ¶ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1. Joseph is a great example of a good steward! #

C. God requires faithfulness #

Faithful - Worthy of confidence and belief; conformable to truth or fact; exact; accurate;

1. Faithful as in continuing without fail #

2. Faithful as in Factual, accurate in work! #

III. The Reckoning (2) #

A. Give an account! #

1. Heard of it! “How is it that I hear this of thee?” #

Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Prov. 28:13 ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

2. Master holds him accountable! #

B. A reckoning day is coming! #

1. There is forgiveness of sin… but there is accountability! #

Rom. 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Stewardship