PREPARE || The Heart of A Steward
Luke 12:35-48 New King James Version
35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food [at the right time]in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
You Don’t Have to Scramble to PREPARE if You LIVE PREPARED
Are You PREPARED for the POUR?
In Luke 12:35-48 Jesus is teaching His followers to be PREPARED for His return, or second coming
He is teaching His disciples that they should not WAIT until the last minute to PREPARE for Him, but LIVE PREPARED
Jesus calls the people who LIVE PREPARED stewards
What is a Steward?
Oikonomos (G3623)
The Manager Of Household Or Of Household Affairs
esp. a steward, manager, superintendent (whether free-born or as was usually the case, a freed-man or a slave) to whom the head of the house or proprietor has entrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant and even to the children not yet of age
the manager of a farm or landed estate, an overseer
the superintendent of the city's finances, the treasurer of a city (or of kings)
A STEWARD IS A PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING, CULTIVATING, AND GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF SOMEONE ELSE’S RESOURCES
Physical resources
Money, land, property, cattle, etc.
Non-physical
Time, relationships, opportunities, etc.
Jesus Taught His Disciples to Live as Stewards
Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)
In this parable, Jesus compares His followers to servants who are entrusted with talents (money) by their master.
Those who wisely invest and manage the talents are praised as "good and faithful stewards," and are rewarded with increased authority and the joy of their Lord
The the servant who does nothing with the talent is rebuked, suffers loss, and is cast into outer darkness
Luke 19:11-27 (Parable of the Ten Minas)
Just like the Parable of the Talents, this parable features servants entrusted with a sum of money (minas).
Jesus uses this to illustrate the responsibility of His followers in managing what has been entrusted to them, with faithful stewards being rewarded and wicked stewards suffering loss.
What do Disciples of Jesus Steward?
THE GOSPEL OF HIS KINGDOM
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 New King James Version
4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
God’s Kingdom is Near
Jesus proclaimed that God's Kingdom was near and had arrived with His ministry on earth
This Kingdom is not just a future event but also a present reality, where God's reign is established in the hearts and lives of those who follow Him
Repent and Believe:
To enter God's Kingdom, Jesus called people to repent (turn away from sin) and believe in the gospel.
God created us to live in a perfect relationship with Him
Our sin separates us from God and leads to death
Jesus died for our sins and rose again, offering forgiveness and new life
If we reject our sin and place our faith in Jesus, we can be reconciled to God and receive eternal life
Repentance and faith in Jesus are necessary for receiving the gift of God's Kingdom and living under His rule.
Kingdom Life is Transformed:
Life in God’s Kingdom involves radical transformation
Jesus taught that those who follow Him should live according to Kingdom values, such as love, humility, forgiveness, and righteousness
The Kingdom is not about earthly power, but heavenly authority and power that results from a changed heart and submission to God's will
The Kingdom is Both Present and Future:
The Kingdom of God is already present in the lives of believers, and it will be fully realized in the future when Jesus returns to establish His reign completely
The ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom is the restoration of all things and the defeat of evil
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 New King James Version
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
EARTHLY RESOURCES
Scripture teaches that everything belongs to God, humans are merely managers of everything on earth that belongs to Him
Psalm 24:1 New King James Version
24 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
Genesis 2:15 New King James Version
15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to [cultivate]tend and keep it.
Whether we recognize it or not, we are stewards NOT owners of our material possessions
Your house, job, money, car, land, animals, etc.
GENEROSITY || Its Not Ours Anyway
We recognize that every resource we’ve been given comes from our generous Father
We choose to be just like Dad, and give as He leads
TIME
Time is one of the MOST valuable resources
Scripture teaches us that we are stewards of our time, and are to use it wisely for God's purposes.
Ephesians 5:15-16 New King James Version
15 See then that you walk [carefully]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Paul is urging the church to live with intentionality
Redeeming the time means paying the cost to OWN it
KINGDOM RELATIONSHIPS
We are called to be stewards of relationships—both with God and others
Daily Secret Place
Weekly Corporate Encounters
Hebrews 10:24-25 New King James Version
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
As members of the body of Christ, we are responsible for
Maintaining unity
Serving and encouraging one another
Building up the church
1 Corinthians 12:7 New King James Version
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
Ephesians 4:11-12 New King James Version
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [building up]edifying of the body of Christ
This involves loving, forgiving, and practically serving the community of believers
1 Peter 4:10 New King James Version
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Christians are called to steward their gifts for the benefit of others in the body of Christ
Our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ are to be marked by power, love, and service
The Heart of a Steward is for Their Master
Owners, Employees, and Stewards
Owners care for their own interests (Laban)
Employees care for their paycheck (Jacob)
Stewards care for their master (Joseph)
WE AWAIT THE RETURN OF CHRIST
Jesus went to prepare a place for us so that we could be with Him forever.
He promised to return for His bride and it is our HONOR to prepare and wait expectantly for Him.
Our greatest desire is to be found ready when our Beloved returns.
The Heart of a Steward is to LIVE PREPARED for the Return of Their Master
Luke 12:35-40 New King James Version
35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
LET YOUR WAIST BE GIRDED & YOUR LAMPS BURNING
Be READY to serve
Be READY for inconvenience
Be like men who WAIT for their Master
BLESSED ARE WHO ARE FOUND WATCHING
Prepared, alert, and expectant
The Blessing || Jesus will PREPARE Himself, sit them down to EAT, and COME and SERVE them
The wedding feast of the lamb
Secret Place Testimony || The Pillar of Perversion
This is for EVERYONE, not Just Spiritual Leaders
Luke 12:41-44 New King James Version
41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food [at the right time]in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ARE CHOSEN
Faithful stewardship is the key to unlocking greater kingdom opportunities (being CHOSEN)
Who then, is that faithful and wise SERVANT, whom his Master will make RULER over His household?
Luke 16:10-12 New King James Version
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
Kingdom promotion is found in our ability to faithfully steward God’s resources and opportunities, in God’s way (wisdom)
With the exception of Elijah, John the Baptist, and Mary the mother of Christ, I could not find one example in scripture, of a person that God anointed or invited into a great work, that did not first prove themselves a faithful steward in smaller arenas
THE HEART OF A (FAITHFUL AND WISE) STEWARD
Faithful and Wise Stewards Recognize Kairos Moments
God entrusts them to give His household their portion of food in due season
Due Season - kairos (G2540)
opportune or seasonable time
the right time
a limited period of time
EVERY opportunity you have to SERVE others is a God given opportunity to grow into, and prove yourself, a FAITHFUL and WISE steward
Babysitting younger siblings, cousins, etc.
Serving at church, community service, chores at home
Leading a team at work, coaching a sport, leading a ministry team
Your MARRIAGE and FAMILY
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find stewarding kairos moments when he comes
What would Jesus find you stewarding in this way if He returned today?
Three Hearts that Prevent us from LIVING PREPARED
Luke 12:45-48 New King James Version
45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
AN IMPATIENT HEART
Impatient hearts cannot recognize, and thus steward, kairos moments
My master is delaying his coming
Delaying - chronizo (G5549)
to linger, delay, tarry
Root - chronos (G5550)
time either long or short
An impatient heart can only see chronos moments
“I am just babysitting, working, making dinner, etc.”
“It’s only brushing my teeth, making my bed, doing my homework, it’s not a big deal”
An impatient heart sounds like:
My master is delaying so I can relax, take it easy, I don’t have to keep track of everything
Just because Jesus has not called you into account yet does not mean He won’t soon
Your kingdom promotion, or lack thereof, is your performance report
My master is delaying, I have held onto His resources for so long that I have earned and now own them myself
Impatient hearts become deceived into believing that the things we received in order to better to serve Jesus and His bride now exist to serve us
This is my job, money, house, car, family, etc.
We begin to take on an ownership mentality
The moment we believe that everything God has entrusted us with, exists to meet our desires, we are in DANGER
We will begin to use people to meet our needs, rather than serving them and teaching them how to meet their greatest needs in Christ
We will begin to eat, drink and become drunk (intoxicated) on what God gave to us for the benefit of His Kingdom
PASTORAL CAUTION || We will be cut in two and appointed a portion with UNBELIEVERS (faithLESS)
You will live a double life, live HALF the life Jesus died to give you, and be counted among the faithless
AN (INFORMED MIND BUT) UNCHANGED HEART
This steward knew his master’s will but did not PREPARE himself or DO accordingly
Ginosko (G1097)
to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel
to become known
to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of
to understand
to know
sexual intercourse between a man and a woman
to become acquainted with, to know
This is a steward that heard God’s voice, but never connected with His heart, nor walked with Him in OBEDIENCE
This is why, at East Gate, we say that OBEDIENCE = SUCCESS
Without obedience, there WILL be consequences
Beaten with many self-inflicted stripes
The Root of an Informed Mind, but an Unchanged Heart
Fear of failure and sloth (reluctance to work or make an effort) resulting in…
A lack of INTENTIONALITY (excellence in advance) in preparation and execution
You are NOT stewarding whatever you are NOT measuring
You are NOT stewarding whatever you are NOT doing on purpose
You are NOT stewarding whatever you are NOT getting feedback on
AN UNINFORMED HEART
This is a steward that never even knew they were a steward and were never told
Those who have not learned to hear God’s voice, or connect with His heart, but did the best they could to obey
The Root of an Uninformed Heart
They are not planted in the word of God
They do not steward their daily secret place
They may be discipled to a cultural “christianity” or a theological school of thought, but not to Christ
They are not planted in the House, and among the people, of God
They are not committed to a local church body
The body provides encouragement, edification, correction and accountability
Today, we are all without excuse
Those of us who have committed things deserving of stripes, will be beaten with few
We are all responsible for what we know and what we have been given/entrusted with
Jesus is the Reward of All Who LIVE PREPARED
You will NEVER Miss the POUR (Jesus) if You LIVE PREPARED
You know that you are PREPARED for the return of Christ when you stop missing His POURS
Jesus IS the Fullness of Heaven
Jesus is the OVERFLOW of Heaven’s Revelation
When you LIVE PREPARED He will POUR out wisdom, direction, understanding, knowledge and more
Jesus is the OVERFLOW of Heaven’s Abundant Life
When you LIVE PREPARED He will POUR out love, joy, peace, and more
Jesus is the OVERFLOW of Heaven’s Victory
When you LIVE PREPARED He will POUR out healing, deliverance, freedom and more
God’s Desire is to LOVE
Luke 12:37-38 New King James Version
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Abba desires to LOVE and DELIGHT in His sons
Jesus is returning to LOVE, DELIGHT in, and SERVE His bride
Holy Spirit desires to REMAIN and DELIGHT in His paradise (Eden = paradise)
Today is a Day to Receive the Heart of a Steward
Hebrews 8:10 New King James Version
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
