A.INTRODUCTION: LUKE 19:11-27
1. A master went away and entrusted his wealth to his servants. When he returned, those with different degrees of success were rewarded. The one who did nothing lost everything. This is a story of business stewardship, profitably OPM-using other people’s money.
2. How do we use OPM (other people’s money)? We borrow to buy houses, cars, and appliances. Then we use (manage) those things to pay off our loans.
3. What is biblical stewardship? Properly managing out time, talent and treasure for the glory of God.
B. PRINCIPLES TO APPLY TO OUR LIFE.
1. Jesus our master has gone away and left us in charge of His work. “So he (master) called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come’” (Luke 11:13 NKJV). This means accountability.
2. Jesus is coming back. “Do business till I come” (Luke 19:13 NKJV). This means a time limit on our work for the Lord. “I will come again” (John 14:3).
3. Jesus has given gifts to each of us. This is a responsibility. “Delivered (each) to them ten minas” (Luke 19:13). Each of us has spiritual gifts. “As each of us has received (spiritual) gifts, even so minister the same to one another, as good stewards” (I Peter 4:10 NKJV).
4. The master clearly intended that His servants would invest wisely what He gave them. The servants were told:
Not what to do . . . Be working
Not how to do it . . . Be diligent
Not where to do it . . . Be faithful
Not when to do . . . Be ready
5. The master wanted his servants to work in His place while He was gone. “Occupy till I come.”
How we are to work: In place of Him
To be accountable to Him
To please Him
To increase His Kingdom
6. Even though the amount was not huge (about $8,000.00 in 2000 A.D.), everyone received the amount paid a common worker. This is God’s goodness. The “pound” was a “mina” worth 100 denarii, a denarii was a day’s wages for a common laborer. “But each one has his own gift from God” (I Cor. 7:7).
7. There is coming a day when we have to give account of our stewardship. This is accountability. “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading” (Luke 19:15).
8. Jesus is interested in what you do with what He has given you. This is inspection. “When he returned . . . . he called . . . that he might know how much every man had gained by trading” (Luke 19:15).
9. Jesus wants accountability from all workers. No matter what He gives. The master made all accountable. He was interested in those with 10, 5, and no results.
10. Even though the results were different, Jesus will be pleased with our faithfulness. He told both those with 10 and 5, “Well done.”
11. The amount is not as significant as our attitude. Jesus had the same response to both 10 and 5.
• Big return. “The first . . . ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ He said unto him, well done.” (Luke 19:16,17).
• Average return. “Master, your mina has earned five minas. Likewise he said to him” (Luke 19:18,19).
• No return. “And another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief’” (Luke 19:20). “I will judge you, you wicked servant” (Luke 19:22).
12. Jesus will be most disappointed with those who do nothing. This is fruit judgment. “Thou wicked servant . . . why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest . . . Take the mina from him” (Luke 19:22-24).
13. The Master loves us and trusts us with His ministry. The nobleman trusted his servant with his money. “He called . . . delivered to them ten minas” (19:13).
14. Faithfulness in a small task leads to greater responsibility and greater rewards. “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’” (Luke 19:17). He went from 10 minas to 10 cities. “Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas” (Luke 19:24). He now has authority over 20 cities.
CONCLUSION:
God has given us spiritual gifts, and the opportunity to serve Him. The more we receive from God, the more we must pay back into His work. As our spiritual wealth gets larger, we must do more for God. As our financial wealth gets larger, we must pay more back into God’s work.
If He is not Lord of all your money,
He is not Lord at all!
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at jonathan@trbc.org and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
