Faithful Stewards

  

Stewardship - Caretaker and not owner.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

-Matthew 25:14-30

Talent:

• Parable it is a sum of money.
• Represents for us the responsibility he gives us in light of our giftings, skills, resources, influence, and time.

  

First two servants: Go right to work.

Grace is opposed to earning, it is not opposed to effort.

-Dallas Willard

Working hard is commendable and expected.

Working hard is a reflection of our faithfulness, gratitude.

  

The third servant: Fear.

  

Beware of squandering

  

1. Laziness.

  

The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”

-Proverbs 22:13

  

2. Distraction.

  

We are amusing ourselves to death.

-Neil Postman

We are distracting ourselves into spiritual oblivion.

-Ronald Rolheiser

  

Main point of this parable is faithful stewardship.

  

Our Father spared no expense to redeem our lives and bring us into His family and then entrust us with His resources to work with Him in building His Kingdom which we then get to enter into and enjoy.

  

3. Squandering.

  

“I do not have what it takes. I am not enough.”

  

BE FAITHFUL STEWARDS

  

1. Jesus, what are you doing today? Can I come work with you?

  

2. Awareness of opportunities by praying in advance through your day.

  

3. Responsibly steward what is placed in your hands for the sake of the Kingdom.

  

4. Thank Jesus for the opportunities. Show your gratitude.

  

Reflect on this sermon:

  

What is your mindset when it comes to your possessions?

  

Which kingdom does the evidence of your life reveal you are building?

  

For what or whom are you ultimately living?

  

What are your main take aways from this sermon?

Make a Decision