The objective of this lesson: to expand the student's understanding of the role and work of a steward.
Suggestion: use an approach that means the most to you as the teacher to explain or illustrate the importance of understanding an illustration Jesus used before seeking to understand the point Jesus made.
At times a powerful, essential teaching of Jesus is based on an illustration foreign to the American culture. In our study we stressed that servants (as they existed in Jesus' day) do not exist in American society. To understand Jesus' teachings concerning servitude, we did three things. First, we understood that Jesus was born to be a servant. Second, we understood that God expects us to become servants. Third, we learned from the servant Jesus what God expects of us as servants.
When Jesus used servants to illustrate a teaching, Jewish listeners understood his illustration instantly. That does not happen when we listen to Jesus. Before we understand his lesson, we first must understand his illustration.
Jesus expects us to be God's servants. Jesus also wants us to aspire to the highest level of servitude. He wants us to be servants who function as stewards. Our concept of a steward may be too simple: a steward is a responsible, capable servant who is trusted by his master. When our grasp of stewardship is limited to that simple understanding, we miss the depth and significance of being God's steward. This lesson's objective is to expand our understanding of the role and work of a steward.
Read Luke 12:42-48. Carefully note the context of this parable. A man asked Jesus to order a brother to divide the family inheritance. Jesus warned against greed by teaching the parable of the rich fool. He told his audience not to reduce life's meaning and concerns to physical survival. He urged them to live with the alertness that quickly perceived God's actions. Peter asked, "Are you talking to us (the twelve) or to everyone?" Jesus then gave this parable. In this lesson, focus on understanding a steward's life and role.
This steward was faithful (responsible, dependable, trustworthy) and sensible (was guided by good judgment rather than by impulsive reactions).
The master placed him in charge of the other servants.
His specific responsibility was to see that the other servants received their rations at the proper time.
The steward would receive greater opportunity if the master found the steward responsibly caring for his tasks upon the master's unexpected return. That means the steward was as conscientious about his work and responsibilities in his master's absence as he was in his master's presence.
When the steward demonstrated that he was conscientious and dependable, the master would place the steward in charge of all the master owned.
He could be foolish by saying to himself, "My master will not be back for a long time." In that conviction, he could begin to behave irresponsibly and live in an untrustworthy manner. Abusing the slaves and indulging himself would be extremely foolish.
The master would return unexpectedly, find him acting irresponsibly, and punish him severely.
Such stewards would be punished more severely because their inappropriate, irresponsible behavior was deliberate. They knowingly, deliberately refused to care properly for the trust the master committed to them.
Such stewards would be punished less severely because their irresponsible conduct was not a matter of defiance.
Much is expected from the person to whom much had been entrusted. The most is expected from the person to whom the most was entrusted.
Read Luke 16:1-13. The context is significant. Luke 15 taught several lessons on the nature and importance of repentance. Luke 15 closes with a parable about a prodigal son, his father, and his older brother. Luke 15 and Luke 16:1-13 deal with the essential subject of repentance. This section begins and ends with the Pharisees' reactions.
The rich man received the report that his steward used his possessions in an irresponsible, wasteful manner.
The steward would have to give an account (be the subject of an audit) of how he had used the rich man's possessions. The rich man fully expected to find the steward guilty of irresponsibility and wastefulness. After the accounting (audit), the steward would lose his position.
The steward knew the audit would reveal that he had been irresponsible and wasteful. He knew he would lose his position. He knew that he could not do the manual labor of a slave who worked as a field hand, and that he could not endure the humiliation of begging. He was quite honest about his situation.
He decided that he would obligate all his master's debtors to him. Everyone who owed the master money for goods would receive a major reduction in their bill. In that way, they would be indebted (in large amounts!) to the steward. He would significantly reduce the bills of those who owed major sums to his master. He would do this in person. Therefore, when the steward was released from his position, these people would be obligated to the steward. At this moment, he definitely had the power to follow through on his plan.
Use the information you learned about a steward in these two parables to explain stewardship.
The closest concept to stewardship we have in our society is holding and exercising the power of attorney for someone else. We manage the affairs of another as though they were our own. We pay their bills, use their money, and use their properties as if their things were our things. A steward acts in the best interest of his master. He demonstrates his dependability, sensibility, and trustworthiness by conscientiously caring for his master's affairs. He cares for his master's affairs with as much devotion in the master's absence as in the master's presence. The steward has enormous privileges and much power, but he abuses none of them.
Two New Testament Greek words are translated steward. One means "one who is entrusted with the care or the honor of another person" in the sense of a guardian or curator. This word is found in Matthew 20:8 and Luke 8:3. The other means "one entrusted with a responsibility of the household" in the sense of a manager or superintendent. This word appears several times in the New Testament. Both words are similar in significance.
God appointed Jesus Lord and Christ at the resurrection. Jesus is the Master of all who surrender their lives to him. Christians are servants. Everything belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was God's agent of creation (John 1:1-3) and God's agent of our spiritual recreation (Ephesians 2:10; 4:20-24). As servants committed to God's purposes, Christians seek to serve as responsible stewards. We use everything under our control in God's best interests. We demonstrate our trustworthiness in the manner we use material things for God's glory and purposes. If we find it difficult to use the physical and material responsibly for God's benefit, why should God entrust us with the spiritual?
A major spiritual crisis occurs if we, the servants, regard ourselves as being the owner, the master. The reality of death forever reminds Christians that we use, we do not own. We use to serve and honor the Creator, not to serve and honor ourselves. Read 1 Peter 4:10.
In the American culture it is difficult for Americans to view themselves as stewards. The typical American perspective seems to be, "I am the owner."
Link to Student Guide Quarter 4, Lesson 3