What Is Jesus' Take On Stewardship? Series

Taking the "Stew" Out of Stewardship (Part 1 of 4)

What is Jesus’ Take on Stewardship?

Matt. 25:14-30

Jan. 7, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

I Introduction

A Opening Story

B Jesus knew of the human heart’s resistence concerning stewardship (essence of the text in a sentence).

1 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came* and settled* accounts with them. 20 "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ’Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 "His master said to him, ’Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ’Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 "His master said to him, ’Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ’Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 ’And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 "But his master answered and said to him, ’You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 ’Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 ’Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30 (NASB)

a We are called to be faithful & good servants to our God (essence of the sermon in a sentence).

b I pray you’ll have a richer understanding of Jesus’ words on stewardship and that it (your understanding) will lead you to "stew-less" stewardship (objective).

2 How well are you living Jesus’ words on stewardship? (Probing question)

a Let’s look at Jesus’ teaching on stewardship by looking at the master & servants in our text (transitional sentence).

b Pray

II Jesus’ take on stewardship For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.

A The absolute owner (slaves, talents), master, lord was going on an extended journey.

1 Why was the master gone?

a Maybe to build mansions, fight a battle, secure more servants, expand his kingdom (we don’t know).

b The master in our story is Jesus

aa He was in the world for one brief generation, 33 years, & then gone on a journey, "I go to prepare a place..."

bb His spiritual power is not absent (we know what it’s like to walk, talk with Him & hear Him talk to us).

2 In our text, the master was coming back, & he did.

a In my story, the master is coming back & will!

b No one who believes the New Testament can deny that our Lord who came is coming again.

B The slaves (the correlative of ‘Lord’) were property of their Lord (Master)

1 The slaves had been purchased, bought, paid for, cared for, protected by their Lord (He, the Lord, owned them!)

a And they sang* a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Rev 5:9 (NASB)