Faithful Stewardship Texts Matthew 25 14 30 By

Faithful Stewardship Texts: Matthew 25: 14 -30 By Richard F. Ramos II, D. Min.

Overview: “The Parable of the Faithful & Unfaithful Stewards” Fact 1: The amount of money received by the three (3) servants does not belong to them. It belongs to their Master, and was entrusted to them to be used for his purpose and desire. Fact 2: The Master expected all his servants to be faithful stewards of what was entrusted to them. He expected it to grow and multiply. Fact 3: The Master was so pleased and happy with his two (2) faithful servants, and so he rewarded them with more resources. . . Fact 4: To the unfaithful steward, the Master was deeply disappointed, and what he got was taken away from him and was rewarded with serious consequences…

Meaning / Interpretation All of us, Christians, are servant stewards of Christ. He has freely gifted us with resources (gifts and graces) – time, money, talent, the gift of health for His will, purpose and desire. Everything that we possess including our life, health and body do not belong to us. It all belongs to God! These gifts and graces are not intended for our own use only, but for the work of our Master Jesus Christ – for His mission and ministry and for the expansion of His kingdom here on earth. Christ expects us to be faithful stewards of all that have been entrusted to us. He expects them to grow and multiply for His glory and honor. Just like in the Parable, our Master has set the date where he would call us to make an accounting report for everything that was entrusted to us. . .

What is Stewardship? • Stewardship (secular). The management of another person's property, finances, or household affairs. • Stewardship (religious). It involves the responsibility of managing God's work through the church. • God has appointed ALL Christians to be His stewards on earth. • Stewardship is not an option. • Being a steward is a necessary part of believing the Gospel, even if it involves sacrificing personal rewards (1 Cor. 9: 17).

• ALL Christians will be held accountable for the way in which they manage God's affairs as stewards. This includes: - the sharing of the Gospel (Col. 1: 24 -28), - supporting the church financially, and - ministering to the sick and needy (Matt. 25: 31 -46)

Stewarship: A Spiritual Practice • Stewardship is not simply about "funding" or "meeting" the budget. • Stewardship Has A Dual Focus: a) The Overall Mission and Ministry of the Church b) A practice of growing in generosity, in giving, and in sharing with open hands and hearts. Churches exist to change lives.

Understanding of Sin • Sin as a medical issue (sickness/disease); church becomes a clinic. • Sin as a crime (not medical but a legal one); the church becomes a courtroom. • Sin is a “wrecked relationship. ” It is wrecked relationship with God, with one another, with the whole created order. - salvation is healing and restoration of relationship - church as community-of-human -transformation"

Final Words • “Hoarding money or giving only token amounts grudgingly is a sign of our brokenness and fear. It is a sign of our break with a gracious God and of our break with our fellow human beings, some of whom are trapped in poverty and want. Likewise, spending impulsively or compulsively is another indication of wrecked relationship. ” • Having a sense of responsibility for our sins (and world’s brokenness) through the grace of God, we will then be able to develop a personal practice of stewardship and generosity that has a profound meaning for our relationship with God and our fellow human beings.

REFERENCES Anthony B. Robinson, “Vital For Congregation” (Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press, 2011). Ronald F. Youngblood, ed. “New Illustrated Bible Dictionary” (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995). Katharine D. Sakenfield, ed. “The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, ” (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2009).