SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
YOUTH STS LESSON 117
TOPIC: THE UNJUST STEWARD
TEXT: Luke 16:1-18
MEMORY VERSE: "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light" (Luke 16:8).
The lesson focuses on morals from the parable of the unjust steward. A person who manages another person's property or one who administers anything as the representative of another person is a steward. The steward is not the owner but he is the administrator of another person's belongings. As youths, we are stewards in one capacity or the other. In the parable given by Christ, a steward who was about to be fired for not measuring up to the standard contrived' a means to gain the favour of his master's debtors. He called all his master's debtors and reduced their debts (Luke 16:3-7). Ordinarily, one would have expected the lord to be angry but he was not; rather, he commended him for taking such a decision (verse 8). The steward gave away his master's money with recklessness; thereby, making other people's burden lighter and bearable. In doing so, he made all of the debtors appreciate not just him but also the master who, to them, seems to overflow with generosity in reducing their debts.
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE OF STEWARDSHIP (Luke 16:1-4; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Matthew 28:19,20)
"And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods" (verse 1). The biblical teaching of stewardship defines a man's relationship to God. It identifies God as owner and man as manager or caretaker. If you miss the fact that God owns everything on earth, you will not understand the teaching of stewardship. God makes man His co-worker in administering all aspects of our life. Apostle Paul explains it best by saying, "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye
are God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9). Starting with this concept, we are then able to accurately view and correctly value, not only our possessions but more importantly, human life itself. In essence, stewardship defines our purpose in this world as assigned to us by God. It is our divinely given opportunity to join with God in His worldwide and eternal redemptive movement (Matthew 28:19,20). Stewardship is not God's way of taking something from us; it is the method of bestowing His richest gifts upon His people and at the same time giving them the opportunity to manage the gift.
Question 1: What is the spiritual implication of stewardship to believers?
Paul refers to his call from God as the dispensation of His grace for a ministry of the divine mystery revealed in Christ (Ephesians 3:2). In this context, the Apostle portrays God as the Master of a great household, wisely administering it through Paul himself as the obedient servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also significant in what Paul says is that once we are called and integrated into the body of Christ, the stewardship that is required of us is not a result of our own power or
abilities. The strength, inspiration and growth in the management of our lives must come from God through the Holy Spirit in us. Stewardship defines our practical obedience in the administration of everything under our control or everything entrusted to us. It is the consecration of oneself and possessions to God's service. This is the spiritual implication of stewardship to believers. In stewardship, we do not have the right of control over ourselves or our property, God has that control. As stewards of God, we are managers of the things that belong to Him and we are under His constant authority as we administer His affairs.
THE PRACTICE OF STEWARDSHIP IN THE SCRIPTURES (Luke 16:5-7; Genesis 39:4,5; 44:1,4; Matthew 20:8; Luke 8: 3)
The term stewardship runs from the Old Testament through to the New Testament. Stewards were part and parcel of most households in Israel. Abraham had a steward whose name was Eliezer of Damascus. He was Abraham's servant and trusted steward. Joseph was also Potiphar's steward and when he became Pharaoh's prime minister, he had a steward in charge of his house as well (Genesis 39:4,5; 44:1,4; 43:16,19). King Elah, in his brief reign of two years, had a steward in charge of his household (1 Kings 16:8,9). In the New Testament, there were stewards also. The idea seems to have been perfectly familiar to the people in Christ's day. Every household seemed to have a steward. Herod's steward was Chuza, and his wife, Joanna, followed and ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:3). In the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, the steward paid the labourers at the close of the day (Matthew 20:8). In the parable of the unjust steward, the steward was a freeman, had full charge of his master's affairs and could use them to his own advantage if he chose. He was fully accountable to his master and had to render account when called upon. If found unfaithful, a steward was usually relieved of his duties at once (Luke 16:1-13). In the epistles, the application of this term is largely confined to the ministry of the gospel. Paul and his fellow- labourers regarded themselves as stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1,2). Peter considered himself and all other Christians as "stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). The idea is that a steward takes meticulous care of what is entrusted to him and gives it out to others faithfully and as directed by his Master Jesus Christ
Question 2: What does God expect from saved youths as stewards today?
Saved youths should ensure that they watch over unsaved youths in their schools and neighbourhoods by reaching out to them with the gospel. You must utilise your time, talent and treasures for God's glory. You must pray, obey God's word, evangelise and keep your body undefiled for Christ. In the same vein, youth leaders must ensure that they watch over believing youths in their neighbourhoods and churches.
CHRISTIAN YOUTHS AS STEWARDS OF GOD'S GRACE (Luke 16:8-13; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Titus 1:7; Colossians 3:23- 24; 1 Peter 4:10; Luke 12:42).
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10). As carriers of the grace of God, we must be faithful, so that we do not lose what God has given to us (1 Corinthians 4:1,2).
Question 3: What are the principles of stewardship in the Bible?
There are basic principles in the Scriptures youths must take cognisance of as they engage in God's work. One, all they have belongs to God. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1). Two, they are responsible to God, even though He has given us all things to enjoy, yet nothing is actually ours. He still demands responsibility from us as we manage what He bestowed on us. Three, the principle of accountability. We must give account of all things that God has entrusted to our care. "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:1,2). We will give account of how we spend our time, talents, treasures (resources), opportunities and privileges, etc. Four, the principle of reward. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23,24). As responsible stewards who expect rewards at the end of our stewardship, we must one, be faithful in handling money (verse 11); two, pledge an unbiased loyalty to God above everything else (verse 13); three, be steadfast in our service to the Lord and in holy living (verse 16); four, trust in God's unfailing promises (verse 17); and five, seek God's guidance in marriage and keep to our marriage vows when we grow up (verse 18).
