A steward is someone who is entrusted with the possession of another. Often, a steward is given great leeway in handling property, but there is always a time in which he will be called to give account of his stewardship. Jesus teaches familiar lessons of stewardship to his disciples.
“He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.'“ (Luke 19:12-13 ESV).
And
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” (Matthew 25:14-15 ESV).
In these two parables, we learn lessons of stewardship from our God. In the first account, the master gives each steward the same amount to manage, and he rewards them even though they produced varying profits. In the parable of the talents, the master gave different amounts to manage, each based on their ability. And in both parables, some stewards did well, while others returned merely what the master entrusted to them with no growth. These lazy people buried what was entrusted to them and returned it back to the master. And the master was not happy at all with their stewardship.
“For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'“ (Matthew 25:29-30 ESV).
I take away three lessons from these and other parables on stewardship.
1. God Expects Stewardship:
“Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” (Job 41:11 ESV).
God owns everything and gives to us as He pleases. Whether it is money, time, a family, responsibilities with our local congregation, or anything of value, ultimately those things are on loan to us by God. They are His and we will be expected to use them wisely for His benefit and glory.
2. We Need To Reexamine What We View As Mine:
“And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 ESV).
While the Bible does teach the principle of private ownership, we should not uncouple that principle from the lessons of stewardship. The danger in forgetting that what is mine, is ultimately God’s, is that it can lead us to selfish and lazy stewardship of what He has entrusted to us.
3. There Will Be An Accounting Of All Stewards:
“Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:44-46 ESV).
Stewardship is not optional for Christians. Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to be a good steward. He faithfully managed what the Father entrusted to Him for our benefit and the Father’s glory. Whether we have money, time, a family, a work or anything of value, it is on loan from God. On the day of judgment, will you dig up what you buried and return it to the Lord, or will you show the Lord how you put His resources to use for His glory?
Do you sometimes feel alone in your walk with God? Do you wish you had a little support from someone who really understands you and what you are going through?
That's a common weight that we have all borne at one time or another to some extent. The good news is that the world is full of strong, faithful servants of God who live to bring glory to His name.
We have never lived in a better time to find these people and gain our fill of support. With the advance of technology, we can find people, 24/7, whom we can draw encouragement from.
Remember, the next time you feel alone in your walk with God, take comfort knowing that there are thousands, millions, all over the world who are bowing the knee before King Jesus. Reach out and find them and do not continue your walk alone.
“Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18 ESV).
I wonder if Satan has taken hold of this country so firmly that God's wrath is brewing against it. If so, we are in for a bumpy ride. Here are some things to lay hold of if this is indeed the case.
Embrace God's Kingdom- It is never changing and will be your rock to anchor in when the world falls apart.
Choose To Stand With Jesus- If there is a battle brewing, now is the time to make the choice to stand with the One who will be victorious. If you wait to choose, I fear you will be swept away in the battle.
Embrace His Grace- Without Jesus, any upcoming battle will be overwhelming. We will not be able to stand without His Grace to give us victory. Surrender to Him so we can live victorious through Him.
Be Salt- We may be tempted to give up when faced with overwhelming odds. That's what Satan is counting on. But we need to continue being the world's salt. When things get impossible, the good and honest hearts will flock to the Gospel message even knowing what it will cost them.
Keep Your Perspective- Whatever cup of wrath awaits our nation, we will be asked to endure for only a short time. Eternity awaits us. We will be victorious in the mighty Lamb of God.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20 ESV).
I take no pleasure in saying this, but I advise, “Buckle up. We may have a rocky road before us.”
Before you speak evil of the politician you can't stand...
Before you lust after that person you desire...
Before you lash out in anger over someone who cut you off in traffic...
Before you hurt the one you love most...
Remember...
They are children of God made in His image. Speak well of His creation and honor them because they are created by Him. Do not sin against them lest you offend the Creator.
“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10 ESV).
Have you really thought about what the first few moments in heaven will be like?
I imagine standing before the throne of the Mighty God and singing praises to Him.
I imagine walking the banks of the River of Life, and plucking a fruit from the Tree of Life.
I imagine that it will dawn on me, I will never have to wake again to go to my job. I will never have to take medication to give my body comfort.
I imagine having all the time I need to seek out the great Bible characters and chat with them- Peter, Paul, Abraham, Adam, Moses, Elijah, and the rest.
I imagine that I will be able to view the mighty hosts of heaven, angels and all the beings created to serve the God of heaven.
I imagine looking down at my new body and finding no surgical scars, no wrinkles, and no blemishes.
I imagine that after I have been doing all these things for a long time, realizing that night has not come and I do not feel tired.
I imagine falling down to worship God and realizing that this is my reality. I never have to worry or wonder ever again.
I don't know exactly what it will be like in heaven. But based on what the Spirit has revealed to us, I am confident that the reality will be even greater than I can imagine.
I hope to see each of you there. When we are, let's chat. We will have all the time we need.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 ESV).
Do you have a simple prayer that you say all the time? Not from rote, but because it burst forth and cannot be contained?
I do. Several times throughout the day, I utter this four-word prayer: “God, I love You.”
Sometimes, that's all that needs to be said.
Crowds are shouting to silence the Bible because it isn't inclusive enough.
Crowds are shouting to believe in evolution because the creation account has no place in a world of science.
Crowds are shouting to allow people to choose their own gender because it isn't fair that the Creator has labeled them Male and Female.
Crowds are shouting to remove Christian values because they are too restrictive and violate personal freedoms.
Be careful when tempted to listen to the crowd.
“But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”-- a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”
A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.” (Luke 23:18-24 ESV).
Just as I start to think we are on a trajectory as a nation that makes me wonder if we've crossed the point of no return with God, I sit at the feet of my nephew and hear him proclaim Christ so passionately in the home of another young man who has dedicated his life to preaching the Word.
Who knows what is in store for our country; but I am encouraged that there are young men and women of God who will stand with Jesus no matter what is thrown at them.
This warms my heart and gives me hope.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV).
I have been thinking a lot on the sovereignty of God lately. The more I study, the more I am convinced that I have never really appreciated it.
I am beginning to see that all of God's attributes rest on the foundation of His sovereignty. As God, He can do what He wants and He never has to answer to man for His actions.
As God, He is under no standard that is imposed upon Him. His character is sure, and he acts consistently because it is in His character, not because any authority is imposed upon Him to act a certain way.
My God not only has the authority to act in any way He chooses, but He has all power to back it up. My God has the power to do all that He desires. There is nothing beyond His ability.
Knowing this, I submit to King Jesus and His sovereignty. He is my Potter; I am His clay. I do not fear living in an evil world because my sovereign God is always fully in control. His decision to act or stay His hand is His choice, and His longsuffering is born of His choice and not of impotence.
I do not question my sovereign God as to His why He does or does not act. I simply pray for His favor and His strength to live in His sovereignty.
It is because of God's sovereignty that I can sleep well each night. I submit fully to my awesome God.
“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34-35 ESV).
So, a few days ago, I started to read through the book of Isaiah, 10 chapters first thing in the morning, every morning. Not to deep dive into study, but to understand it at a high level.
I've never done that before. It's has been an amazing experience. You get to see who God is from many sides.
If you want to experience awe, respect, love, fear and hope in quick succession, sit down with Isaiah. You will never see God the same away again.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV).