For all you people in the marketplace take heed of the fact that God is a business man. He leaves you in charge of things as chief steward for a while, but he will always check the books of accounts and reconcile what he has put in your hand and what you have done with it. It’s just good business. You must therefore be faithful every day and have a faithfulness that endures. Luke 22:35 - 48
35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
41Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 AND THAT SERVANT, WHICH KNEW HIS LORD'S WILL, AND PREPARED NOT HIMSELF, NEITHER DID ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, SHALL BE BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES.
48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
What a revealing passage of scripture. I believe that the Lord has a reward for every Kingdom financier he has appointed. He has put wealth in our hands and allocated us people to take care of and ministries to support. Two kinds of stewards are described in this passage:
The Good Steward
This guy is ever conscious that his Lord will return for an accounting of the books. He is diligent in making sure that those under his care receive their meet in season. He has guarded his loins with the belt of truth and has kept his light burning. When the Lord comes back, he opens the door for him immediately as he has nothing to hide.
The Bad Steward
This guy gets to a point where he thinks his Lord is taking too long to come back and as a result he slacks on his job. He does not give the people under his care their portion as he should and even beats them, making life very difficult for those in his charge. Instead of providing for others as he is mandated, he takes their portion to eat, drink and get drunk. When his Lord comes to check the books of account, he has nothing good to show. He forgot to seek first the Kingdom and sought his own comfort and pleasure first.
The Reward
The Lord of the Estate finally comes back and after reviewing the books decides to pass out reward and punishment. The good steward is sat at a table and the Lord himself meets his every need and serves him. Then he promotes him, making him ruler over all he has. If you are faithful with little you will be made ruler over much.
Then he reviews the books of the bad steward. He is not amused to find them in disarray and knowing what this guy has been doing, he ensures that he is beaten with many stripes. This guy has it worse than the guy who did not have a clue and messed up. He is severely punished because he knew what he should have done, but chose to walk in covetousness and disobedience. The worst part is that he is given his portion among the unbelievers!!! Disobedience and covetousness will lead to eternal damnation. Do not be deceived.
As a kingdom financier you have been appointed over the Lord’s finances. Which category do you fall under? Are you a good steward, giving out portions to those in need as required by the Lord, or have you fallen into the sin of the bad steward? Gird your loins with the truth of God’s word and keep your light burning. Pray with me:
Our Lord who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Father, I repent of how I have handled my stewardship so far. Sometimes thinking that you will not require an accounting and letting what you have put in my hand go to my head. Forgive me. Cleanse away this sin and its consequences with the blood of Jesus Christ and show me how I can make things right. I choose to walk the way of the good steward. And when the time comes to audit the accounts I will be ready for you and for the reward you carry for me. Be blessed by how I live my life and walk out my stewardship. I love you Lord and vow to be faithful to you, with your help, all the days of my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
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