Memory Verse:
“I must be about my Father’s business” Luke 2:49
“Finish your outdoor work, get your fields ready; and after that, build your house.” Proverbs 24:27
A SERVANT OF THE KING
Biblical stewardship recognizes three important facts.
First, God is the owner of everything, and every part of our lives (Psalm 24:1).
Second, God has called us to steward His resources (Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
Third, the goal of stewardship is to advance God’s kingdom mission in the world (Matthew 28:19-20).
A definition of biblical stewardship might read as follows: “Biblical stewardship recognizes that God’s resources are to be deployed through God’s people to accomplish God’s mission.”
Biblical stewardship is often referred to as “whole-life stewardship” because God calls us to be good stewards of every area of our lives.
Time is one of the most precious commodities we have to steward. Jesus said “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Jesus’ life and ministry were relatively short, yet he made the most of his years here on earth. Likewise, it is reasonable to conclude that the Bible commands us to make the most of our time, and to be good stewards of the time that God gives us, so that we accomplish His will. In this lesson we will consider what it means to be a good steward of our time.
Reading Ephesians 5:15-16
What do you observe?
Why is Luke telling us? What did Jesus mean when he said “the Servant who knows his Master’s will”
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Reading Luke 12:42-48:
What do you observe?
Why is Luke telling us? What did Jesus mean when he said “the Servant who knows his Master’s will”
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Jesus’ parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants continues the theology of God’s ownership found in the Old Testament (Refer Part 1). The master in the parable who is “coming” and entrusts his possessions to his servants would have been recognized by Jewish hearers as God, whom the prophets said would “come” on the Day of the Lord. For many first-century Palestinian Jews, this “coming” meant the arrival of a political messiah who would deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire. Their expectancy that Jesus would usher in the Kingdom of God was high. However, Jesus’ introduction to this parable reinterprets this expected “Day of the Lord” as the day of his own Second Coming: “You too be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect” (Luke 12:40 NASB). The effect of this interpretive move had profound implications for Christian stewardship. In effect, Jesus was teaching them not only that the fullness of the Kingdom of God was to be delayed, but that in the meantime, while the Kingdom is “now” and “not yet,” they must live a life of faithful stewardship. The word “manager” (Greek: oikonomos) in Luke 12:42 appears frequently in Greek literature, in literary works (e.g. Philo and Josephus) and nonliterary works (receipts, lease agreements, etc. on Greek papyri). It referred to managers of payable accounts (e.g. Luke 16:1-8) as well as city treasurers (e.g. Erastus in Romans 16:23). Yet common to all of them was that they were responsible for property that wasn’t theirs and were accountable for what they did with it.
By analogy, Jesus’ parable calls God’s people to live as responsible and accountable stewards of all that God has entrusted to them. A final word about the “coming” of the master: the time period envisioned for the reward (v. 44) and punishment (v. 46) of the stewards is clearly the Parousia, when the Kingdom of God is consummated. But the eschatology of the New Testament is a “realized” eschatology. The heart of Jesus’ message was that end-time realities (healing, defeat of demons, the presence of God in the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, etc.) are present in part now. Even though the faithful may anticipate heavenly rewards (being put in charge of everything the master owns, v. 44) and the unfaithful punishment in hell (being cut into pieces, v. 46), there is no reason why these future outcomes cannot be experienced on a smaller scale on earth “now”. We must be open to the possibility that people within God’s Kingdom, both the true and the false (cf. Matthew 13:24-29; 36-43; 47-50), may undergo in this life the material blessing and material curse (!) of God. The parable helps us to understand that stewardship consists in more than just material things. At its foundation is our heart and its action with the will of God “being about our Master’s business” The Economy of the kingdom of God requires our “time” to me surrendered to the will of God.
JESUS AS A STEWARD OF HIS TIME
Jesus’ life was short, yet very significant. It lasted just thirty-three years—his ministry consisted of only three of those years. Yet in that short period of time, he impacted the world more than anyone else in history. As we look at Jesus’ life we see him extremely busy at times, yet always in control. We never see him rushed or in a panic over how to manage his time. Throughout his ministry, Jesus is on a divine timetable (John 2:4; 7:6; 8:30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1), and he was able to accomplish everything that God
gave him to do. In faith Jesus was led by the Spirit towards. Let’s take a few moments to observe Jesus’ stewardship of his time.
Reading Mark 1:21-34
What do you observe?
Why did Jesus act in this way?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see him setting aside time to spend with his Father. Look up the following verses and comment on the high priority Jesus placed on spending time alone with God (Mark 6:46; Luke 4:16; 6:12; 9:18). We often use the excuse there is not enough time for worship or prayer. What does Jesus’ example teach us?
Reading: John 4:30-36.
What do you observe?
Why did Jesus act in this way?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
What do these words reveal about Jesus’ priorities, and ours?
Jesus had a sense of urgency about his mission and ministry. By faith, Jesus was aware of how short his time on earth would be, how did that affect his ministry? What are “the works” (John 9:4-5). God has for you to accomplish in your time here on earth?
Reading: Mark 6:31-32
What do you observe?
Why did Jesus act in this way?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Jesus took time to care for the physical and emotional needs of his disciples and himself. Read Mark 6:31-32. From the context, why did Jesus and the disciples need to get away? Why is taking time for one’s own needs so important? Do most people spend too much time or too little time caring
for themselves and their family? How about you?
STEWARDSHIP OF CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER
Good stewards require devotion in context of our relationships. The manifestation of the Spirit is “love”. Jesus said “A new command I give you, love one another as I have love you” (John13:34). We are commanded to care for each other.
Reading Acts 2:42-45
What do you observe?
Why did the early church spend their time in this way?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Reading Matthew 5:43-48s 2:42-45
What do you observe?
Why did the early church spend their time in this way?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Jesus was an initiator in relationships. Matthew 5:43-48 challenges us to move beyond our own self-interests and circle of friends. Who would God like you to reach out to?
Reading Galatians 5:13
What do you observe?
How can this passage be understood?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Galatians 5:13 tells us that we are free in Christ—not free to fulfill our own desires, but free to serve one another in love. What are some practical ways we can serve?
Reading Hebrews 10:24-25
What do you observe?
How can this passage be understood?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Spending time with other believers to encouraging them. Why is it important for believers to fellowship
with one another and not remain to themselves?
STEWARDSHIP OF PRIORITIES
As we have seen from Bible passages above, we can be led according to our own “will”. Our sinful nature readily makes decisions based on priorities of needs, desires, and wants. Further this is for our self, our family or others we want to please (or out of fear).
Reading Luke 10:38-42
What do you observe?
How can this passage be understood?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Jesus told Martha, “Only one thing is necessary, Mary has chosen the good portion” This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing personal relationship with Jesus over meeting the perceived expectations of others. Mary chose to invest her time in one way and Mather chose to invest her time in another way (showing care).
Reading 2 Kings 4:1-7
What do you observe?
How can this passage be understood?
What does this mean for us today? What does it have to say about stewardship?
Elisha gave a particular instruction, requiring: the widow’s “use of time”. The widow was required to ask/borrow empty jars from others for God to fills. (Similar to Jesus turning water to wine). The resulting miracle allowed her to repay her debt and redeem her sons from being sold as slaves.
Biblical stewardship may be summarized in three principles:
1) God is the owner of everything.
2) God’s covenant people are held responsible for their management of God’s resources.
3) Giving is a worshipful response to God’s ownership of all things and a witness of God’s glory.