Stewardship 7 – faithfulness

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on faithful stewardship and the Lord’s rewards.

Scripture

Luke 16:10-13

10  “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  11  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  12  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?  13  No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Observations and reflections

1. What is the one word that you would give to summarize Jesus’ teaching in these four verses
   1. In your own words paraphrase each of the four verses as clearly as possible to bring out its meaning.
2. Each of these four verses give an aspect of faithfulness – identify it (write it down).
   1. Note and identify the progression in the four verses.
   2. Note and identify the promises for faithful stewardship in the four verses.
3. What do you understand when Jesus promises “true riches” to those who manage “unrighteousness wealth” well?
4. According to this text, what is the link between stewardship and ownership? And what is the key to ownership?
5. Who determines when a person has been faithful to what was entrusted to him/ her?

Application and prayer

Faithfulness is a heart issue, and God is very interested in how we manage what is entrusted to us.  We all will give an account of our life to God One Day.

1. Take paper and {briefly) give account to God in prayer of what you do with what he has entrusted to you over the last week [start now but if you can’t finish now make time over the weekend]:
   1. Money and Possessions
   2. Family and Relationships
   3. Time and opportunities
   4. Work and responsibilities
   5. Your body, soul, spirit
   6. Gifts, including education and specific favor
   7. Mandate / purpose / command / dreams and desires
2. In what area have you been most faithful with what was entrusted to you? Why do you think so?
3. In what area have you been least faithful with what was entrusted to you? Why do you think so?
   1. How will you ensure growth towards greater faithfulness in this area. **
4. Spend some time to ask God to help you grow in faithfulness, so that God may entrust to you ”true riches”.

**Note: I have found that the most effective way to ensure growth in every aspect of my personal and devotional life is through accountability – having formal and informal relationships devoted to call me account for my disciplines, character and relationships in my life.