Theme: Stewardship Topic: We are God’s Stewards
Main Text: Luke 12:35-48
Key verse: Luke 12:42-43: “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make rule over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
Introduction:
At the end of Luke chapter 11, we find some religious leaders of the day assailing Jesus and trying to catch Him out in His words because He had exposed their hypocrisy. An “innumerable multitude of people” (Luke 12:1) gathered, and Jesus taught them together with His disciples, on the things that matter most in life. Our main text builds on the teaching from Luke 12:1- 34, in which Jesus addresses the way in which people should set their minds on the kingdom of God. He warns them to shun hypocrisy, live fearlessly, confessing Christ in the confidence that nothing will happen to them that their loving Father is not aware of beforehand (vv4-12); to beware of covetousness (v16) and attachment to material things that have no eternal value (vv16-21); and to live without worry but instead seek the kingdom (vv 22-34). From verse 35, the focus shifts to attitudes toward the future, specifically Christ’s return, which brings both judgment and the kingdom. His return will be at an unexpected and unknown hour. His disciples, then and now, must, like faithful servants and stewards, be ready for the event by being diligently engaged in the service of their master.
Q1. Read Matt. 25:5-13, Mark 13:31-33; Luke 12:35-36 (NIV) (1a) What do having the waist girded and lamps burning signify (see Ps 119:105)? (1b)What does “being ready” look like for a believer today? (1c) How can believers cultivate constant watchfulness without fear but with hope?
Paragraph 2:
Stewards are required to be faithful (1 Cor 4:2). Jesus warned his disciples to be ready with their waist girded and lamps burning, like men who wait for their master, so that when he comes and knocks, they may open immediately. To drive the message of preparedness home, he speaks a parable within a parable of a householder surprised by a burglar (v39). The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. The rewards for being ready when the Master returns are incredible – Jesus says the Master would reverse roles and serve the faithful stewards (Luke 12:37-38, compare John 13:3-5); the consequences for not being ready are dire. Note that the focus of Jesus’ teaching is on being prepared for His return, WHENEVER it happens, not trying to determine the date. We are to be watchful and prayerful, mindful of the times, working diligently in His service, knowing that “the night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Romans 13:12).
Q2. Read Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7-8. (2a) What does the Lord say about knowing when He will return? (2b) Where should our focus be between now and that day? (2c) Read Luke 12:45; 1 Peter 3:4, 8-10. How should we interpret a “delay” in the Lord’s return?
Paragraph 3:
Peter, perhaps astounded by the enormity of Jesus’ promise to faithful stewards, asked whether He was speaking just to the disciples or to everyone. Jesus answered Peter by reiterating the enormous reward available to the “faithful and wise steward”. He will be made ruler over the master’s household. The rewards for faithfulness are great. Yet there are some stewards who, far from being blessed by their Master, will be significantly punished. These are those who misinterpret the Lord’s absence as delay and begin to abuse their trusted status to indulge their own desires for mastery over others and satisfaction of their crass appetites. As they mimic the world to satisfy their vices, often masquerading as servants of Christ with a special gifting, they will be taken by surprise by the Lord’s judgment, and great shall be their sorrow. The degree of punishment will reflect the extent of culpability, but none who failed to do the Lord’s will shall escape, even if they claim that they did not know what to do.
Q3. (3a)To whom are the parables in our main text addressed? Give reasons for your answer. (3b)How are knowledge, position, and accountability linked to reward and punishment? What implications does that have for leaders in today’s churches? (3c) How faithful a steward are you with what God has entrusted to you (time, talent, and treasure)? Do you need to make any changes?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for making us servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, entrusting us with time, talent, treasure, and everything we need to carry out your purpose on earth until you return. Help us, Lord, to be alert, wise, and faithful stewards seeking first the kingdom of God wherever you have placed us in life. Amen.