Title: THE CRITERIA OF THE FAITHFUL STEWARD
Text: Luke 12:32-48 KJV
Key Verse (v. 42) “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household?”
Cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 — “…it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
INTRODUCTION:
Here is a question about stewardship: “Who then is that faithful and wise steward?” Luke 12:42
Good question—No one would want to be called unfaithful and unwise. Stewardship is a scary word to many Christians. When they hear it, they cringe and grab their wallet. That kind of reaction shows a complete misunderstanding of what biblical stewardship is really all about.
Stewardship is more than a matter of money—Stewardship is a heart matter (Matthew 6:21). Giving our tithes and offerings is a by-product of a heart that loves Jesus more than material possessions and trusts God to provide.
The word steward in Greek is oikonomos, meaning a house distributor, that is, a manager or overseer, that is, an employee in that capacity. The dictionary says a steward is “a person entrusted with the management of the properties or affairs of another.”
In Roman and Greek homes, the oikonomos was the trusted slave or administrator who held the master’s key ring. He didn’t own the mansion, the food, or the servants. But he decided who ate, who worked, and how the house ran. “A steward is a manager with a key, not an owner with a deed.”
Think about the Ownership vs. Management: The chief cause of spiritual anxiety is assuming ownership over what belongs to God. We say “my children, my career, my savings, my time.” But Psalm 24:1 — “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” When you realize you are just a manager, the burden shifts back to the Owner. You don’t have to panic. You just have to be faithful.
We must recognize that this is a responsibility God has entrusted to us. God runs a business—the local church—where He is the “Head” CEO (Ephesians 1:22-23). Unlike human employers, God provides His workers with the best incentives, the highest pay, and the most fulfilling service possible in this life. His retirement benefits are extraordinary. Luke 17:10 reminds us that we are unprofitable servants; we don’t earn God’s favor—we simply manage what He has entrusted to us.
DOCTRINALLY, the parable in our text is about the coming Kingdom Christ will set up on earth (vs. 31-32, 36-40). The context of verse 40 is the second advent as indicated by the term “Son of man.” Christians are not waiting for the return of the “Son of man.” We are looking for the coming of the “Son of God” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Peter asks a question (v. 41). Jesus answers with a question, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward?” This has a double application:
- To Jewish servants in the Tribulation period awaiting the coming of Christ from a wedding.
- Believers in any age.
Verses 45-48 do NOT apply doctrinally to believers in this age. Every Christian is eternally secure in Christ. There is no way a Christian will be “cut in sunder” and appointed a “portion with unbelievers” (v. 46).
The parable is doctrinally about stewardship leading up to Christ coming to establish His Kingdom on earth.
GOOD stewardship – vv. 35-40: Expecting, Prepared, Doing His Will, Made Ruler.
BAD stewardship – vv. 45-48: Doubting, Unprepared, Not Doing His Will, Cut Off.
Answering the question “who is a wise and faithful servant?” (vs. 43-44): it refers to “that servant” who wisely and faithfully fulfills God’s will when the Lord returns (see Matthew 25:21). The steward who will be appointed a “ruler” in Christ’s kingdom must be both “FAITHFUL and WISE.”
Paul said, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and STEWARDS of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found FAITHFUL” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
While the timeline targets Israel and the Tribulation, the principle is timeless. We in the Church age will stand at the Bema Seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 — Not to determine heaven or hell, but to determine reward and rulership (2 Timothy 2:12; Rev. 3:21).
“Doctrine tells us when. Application tells us how. Both tell us we must be faithful.
Faithful and Wise in our…
I. OUR POSTURE OF PREPAREDNESS
One major difference between the good and bad servants was their READINESS— “WAIT” (v. 36); “WATCH” (vs. 37, 39); and “READY” (v. 40 cf. Mark 13:32-37).
Note the word “immediately” (v. 36). It is as though the servant’s hand was on the latch of the door as the master started knocking.
A. PRIORITIZING Time Because He’s Coming
A person who is waiting and watching for the return of his lord will be WISE in his use of time. Ephesians 5:15-16 — “See then that ye walk circumspectly… Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
In Singapore, every office does fire drills. The alarm can go off anytime. The wise staff know the exit and move immediately. The unwise say “later lah, confirm false alarm” and keep working.
Spiritually, Jesus could come during your MRT ride, during OT, during service. A faithful steward lives with his hand on the door latch.
B. PERSEVERING in Work Because He’s Coming
A person who is waiting and watching for his lord’s return will be FAITHFUL in doing his lord’s will. He will not be idle (Luke 19:13 – “Occupy till I come.”). “Let your loins be girded … lights burning” (v. 35). The second and third “watch” (v. 38) are the darkest hours of the night.
In ancient times, men wore long robes that they would tuck into their belts when running or working. The phrase “gird up” means to remove loose fabric that could cause tripping.
What loose habits might be hindering you? Is it endless social media scrolling, bitterness, or secret sins? Gird up your mindset and prepare yourself to take action.
Oil lamps required regular trimming and refilling; if neglected, the light would go out. A flickering witness is ineffective in darkness. We are in the world’s midnight hour. God needs stewards whose lamps burn brightly through faithful testimony at work, school, and home.
The Danger of Delay: “My lord delayeth his coming” (v. 45). This reflects the “cat’s away, mice will play” attitude. When the sense of Christ’s imminent return diminishes, our discipline weakens. The steward who remains vigilant and industrious when his lord comes — that’s the ideal.
Faithful and Wise in our…
II. PERFORMANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Everyone is assigned responsibilities, with some roles carrying more weight than others. Responsibility entails having the authority needed to perform these duties, which is the essence of stewardship. The owner grants this authority. Tasks are allocated based on the servant’s talents or gifts. Servants who effectively and wisely fulfill their duties are rewarded with greater authority (Luke 16:10).
A. PROPER Use of Delegated Authority
God owns all things and grants us authority. Nevertheless, some misuse this power by controlling others or manipulating emotions, similar to prosperity preachers if we’re not careful. They often use the word ‘blessings’ to motivate giving, which is contrary to biblical teaching. Our giving should be driven by love for the Lord, not by the promise of blessings.
In NS, a Corporal is given 8 men. If he’s faithful and doesn’t abuse them, he’s promoted to 3SG with 30 men. If he wayangs or bullies, he’s charged. God is the same. Be faithful with your small group, your ministry, and your $1,800 salary first. Faithfulness in little = promotion in the Kingdom.
God gives you a small ministry, a small tithe, a small influence. Be faithful there first.
B. PRUDENT Management of Delegated Resources
Every Christian is responsible for utilizing the resources God provides to improve His household. Those who misuse their authority will not be entrusted with leadership in the Kingdom.
For instance, money acts as a test: God grants it to see if He can trust you to use it for His glory. Your standing in the Kingdom will depend on how effectively you have used what you possess today (v. 48 cf. Luke 16:10-11).
CPF is not “your money” until retirement. It’s entrusted to you. How you handle it now shows if you can handle more. Singaporeans have been given MUCH: safety, CPF, HDB, religious freedom. Luke 12:48 — “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.” God expects Singapore Christians to give more, serve more, send more.
God doesn’t compare your 2 talents to someone else’s 5. He compares your faithfulness to the 2 He gave YOU.
Luke 16:10 — “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” The word “required” is zetethesetai — an accounting term. It means “to demand back upon audit.”
“Greater privilege creates greater liability.” Singapore has sound preaching, access to the Bible, and stability. The Philippines has passion, numbers, and missionary zeal. To whom much is given, much is required.
Faithful and Wise in our…
III. PERSPECTIVE OF RECKONING
A faithful and wise steward realizes a day is coming when he will give account of his stewardship (Luke 16:1-2 cf. Luke 12:47-48).
A. PREPARING For the Coming Audit
An unwise steward acts as if there’s no review of their actions, while a wise steward lives each day with the awareness that they will have to give an account. This is an essential truth for every Christian to grasp. We often act as if the Lord Jesus Christ won’t return anytime soon. Despite confidently saying He is coming back soon, our actions and habits tell a different story. They don’t support our words at all.
In Singapore, every April, IRAS sends the letter. You must account for every dollar. No one says “I don’t need to file.” One day at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will account for every minute, talent, and dollar. 2 Corinthians 5:10
B. RECEIVING at the Judgment Seat of Christ
For the Christian, that will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where rewards will be given in the form of “crowns” denoting authority (Cf. Luke 19:17). This is not about sin — that was settled at the Cross. This is about service and stewardship.
Your boss pays you SGD. It pays for BTO, car, food. But it expires when you die. On the other hand, the Lord Jesus Christ pays in eternal crowns and “ruler over many things” Matthew 25:21. That currency never depreciates. Question: Which paycheck are you living for?
2 Corinthians 5:10 — The Bema Seat: The Bema was the elevated platform in Greek cities. After the Olympics, athletes stood on the Bema to receive laurel wreaths. After a military campaign, soldiers stood on the Bema to receive medals or be disciplined. It is not an execution chamber. It is an evaluation platform. 1 Corinthians 3:15 — “he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
The SGD buys physical comfort today, but has zero purchasing power in eternity. Kingdom stewardship converts temporary currency into eternal crown rewards.
“You can’t take it with you. But you can send it on ahead.”
CONCLUSION:
WHICH STEWARD ARE YOU?
The main difference between these two servants:
- The wise servant is preparing for the world that is coming—His focus is on eternal things.
- The unwise servant is living for the world that is going—His focus is on temporal things.
Which one represents you? Are you a FAITHFUL and WISE steward of God’s belongings? Search your calendar. Search your bank account. Search your service. If Jesus audited your life today, would He say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”?
Let me ask the 3 areas in your life right now:
- Calendar: How much time this week went to eternal work vs entertainment?
- Bank Account: Is God getting first-fruits or leftovers?
- Service: Are my gifts building the local church or just building me?
- To the Unsaved: You cannot manage God’s house until you belong to God’s family. Repent and trust Christ as Saviour today.
- To the Believer: Repent of spiritual slackness. Rededicate your time, talent, and treasure to the CEO of the Church, the Head, that is the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
0 Comments