Sermon snippet – Am I a Faithful Steward?
INTRODUCTION – I Corinthians 4:1-2 tells us that, as stewards here for our Savior, “it is required… that a man be found faithful.” I have long been grateful that we are not expected to be great or famous, for those outcomes are not within our control. However, we can decide if we want to be faithful, and we can take the appropriate steps to become better stewards. One parabolic passage that speaks of this subject is Luke 16:1-15.
- WE MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD
Verses 1 and 2 tell us that this man had “wasted” his opportunity to be a good steward. We should note that the preceding parable (Luke 15:11-32) is about a prodigal (wasteful) son; he particularly squandered money. Christian stewardship includes money, of course; Deuteronomy 8:11-14 establishes the principle of tithing, and I Corinthians 16:2 establishes a New Testament principle, but our God should also be Lord over what we do with the rest. Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us to use time and opportunities well; how prodigal we can be with time! I Peter 4:10 speaks of our gifts and abilities; these God-given talents should also be God-directed. I Thessalonians 2:4 highlights the sharing of the Gospel; no one else has this eternal good news. All of these areas (and others we will consider in the next couple of weeks) fall under the heading of good stewardship. Back in Luke 16:3-8a, we find this man commended, not for his dishonesty (in verse 8 he is called “unjust”), but for his effort and ingenuity in preparing for the future. What a fine steward he could have been! However, he did not honestly direct his energies to his responsibilities, and he lost his job.
- WE MUST WORK FOR AN ETERNAL END
I remember many years ago that a man who was generally uninterested in spiritual matters attended our church. Afterwards, without being asked what he thought of the service, he said of our beloved Pastor Stuart, “He’s getting those people ready for something!” Yes, we are getting prepared for both bad and good; for things will get worse, but we know that Jesus will return one day. Verses 8b-9 point out how intense the world is in its pursuit of wrong. Our passion for what is right and good should be greater, for it is “everlasting.”
- WE MUST BE READY TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH MORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Verses 10-12 clarify that our faithfulness will be met with additional opportunities. I think of David, a faithful shepherd who then became a faithful soldier and finally king of Israel. Because God has plans for us – really good plans – we must actively limit our wastefulness.
- WE MUST CHOOSE ONE MASTER
Verses 13-15 state that we must make a decision, for it is logical that these two masters can never agree. The negative example of the “Pharisees” is sobering, for they were wealthy, well-educated, religious – and wrong about Jesus. One key failing is that they were “covetous.” Money is not really neutral; it fights to be the master, competing against God. Money and man together is a bad combination – it is an “abomination.”
CONCLUSION – More than anything, then, we need Jesus Christ as Savior. With Him as Master, we can begin to become better stewards of what He has graciously granted to us. Remember that our goal is faithfulness, not fame. As evangelist Vance Havner once said, “God called us to play the game, not keep the score.”