Journey 2020: Vision for Christ – Taking Action Now

Parable of the Faithful and Wise Steward

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.  (Luke 12:42-48)

This parable is very similar to the Parable of the Ten Talents, looked at earlier this month.  In both, the master stands in for the Lord God.  We are the manager in this parable.  Everyone – yes EVERYONE! – has been given something to manage by the Lord.  Do you know what it is?  Seek the Lord to discover the answer!

It was approximately 2,000 years ago when Jesus left this world and returned to heaven to prepare a place for us.  He said He would return to us “soon.” (Revelation 22:12)  Perhaps to us, 2,000 years does not seem soon.  Perhaps it seems a very long time.  Perhaps He will return tomorrow.  Are you prepared?  

If God were to return tomorrow, how would He find you?  Have you grown lazy and worldly, thinking that you have time to repent and properly manage the task(s) set to you by the Lord?  Do you think you have time to clean up your act, to prepare for His return?

We are stewards of God’s word.  By accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have accepted the responsibility to cherish God’s word, to uphold it, to mold your life to its directions and teachings.  A faithful and wise steward works to that end everyday.  They do not wait.  An unfaithful and unwise steward is lazy and complacent.  They think they will know when their master is returning and can suddenly reform.  They can ruin the work of the faithful and wise, and they will be punished for their actions.

Being a faithful and wise steward does not happen overnight, just as a mustard seed does not grow into a great tree overnight; it is a journey that takes a lifetime. And it requires work.  Whatever you do everyday becomes habit.  It requires work, time, patience, and wisdom to change bad habits.  In order to identify bad habits, a person needs wisdom, which can only be found in the Word of God.  Understanding the wisdom in His Word takes time!  Not all understanding will occur at once.  Sometimes it takes reading a lesson several times before its meaning is made plain.

Think back to the Apostle Peter.  He learned at the feet of Jesus, yet still faltered and took time to grow into a leader of the early church.   Mistakes will be made – Peter let the distractions of the world take his focus of Jesus, causing him to sink into the water.  But Peter refocused, stumbled a few more times, but ultimately embraced the tasks given to him by the Lord.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.   With what has the Lord entrusted you?  Have your duties and responsibilities to the Lord increased due to your actions with tasks given to you?  Do you live your life ready for Jesus’ return?

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