What kind of a steward are you?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Luke 12:41-59

TO CHEW ON: "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 in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.'" Luke 12:42-44

Stewardship, accountability and reward are three things that Jesus talks about more than once.  His story in Luke 12:42-48 includes all three. In this parable a steward is responsible for giving the people under him regular portions of food. It has a choose-your-own-ending.

Ending 1: The master finds his steward doing his job faithfully so the master rewards him with greater responsibility.

Ending 2: The steward (thinking that his master sure is taking a long time to return; maybe he never will) abuses and neglects his underlings. On his return, the master punishes him—and even more severely then he would punish someone who had done the same things but didn't have the same knowledge, position and responsibility.

Does this story apply to us? I think it does. For if we know and believe the Gospel, each of us is a spiritual steward to someone.

Who are the people of your "household"?
The members of the class that you teach. Your exercise buddies. Your kids, or grandkids.

What has the Master given you to steward?
The Gospel. The things you have learned from the Bible. The experiences that have made you the person you are today. What you're passionate about.

In what ways could you steward these things?
Give your testimony. Write a book. Start a Bible study group in your neighbourhood. Help out in Sunday School or VBS. (My conviction that I wasn't being a good steward is one of the reasons I write these daily devotions and post them on a blog. Maybe that's what you could do too.)

Let God search you about your stewardship. Then be faithful and choose ending number one for your life's story. For as surely as you will stand before your Master one day, you will be held accountable for the kind of steward you were.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to be faithful and responsible in stewarding the Gospel by using the abilities and opportunities You have provided for me. Amen.

MORE: "Make My Life a Prayer to You" - Keith Green

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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