Key Principles of Stewardship Luke 16:1-13

In the passage for this lesson Jesus is giving a parable regarding stewardship. In verse 8 he comes to the conclusion that worldly people in many ways are wiser than God’s people. This should not be the way it is but many times it true.

In this lesson we are going to look at stewards as anyone who has been given charge over something. So as young families God has placed in your charge a family. Our goal should be that we would be faithful stewards of the family God has given us, and not have it be said like in the parable that worldly people were wiser stewards of what God has given them.

The Key Principle of Stewardship:

When Jesus closed out the parable he showed us the great value of faithfulness (verses 10-12). Faithfulness is the key principle of being a good steward (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). If we would focus on being faithful in the simple things as well as the big things and not worry about being the best or even good parents, the results would take care of themselves. Faithfulness is the key to doing our part.

Why Faithfulness?

1)  Faithfulness does not require special ability (Proverbs 20:6)

• It does not matter if you are rich or poor, talented or have no talent, smart or of average intelligence, any can be faithful.
• Note the verse from Proverbs, if anyone can be faithful then why are faithful men so hard to find? Because everyone is too busy declaring their own goodness.

2)  The Danger of not being Faithful (Proverbs 25:19)

• The word “unfaithful” is only found one time in a KJB and it says an unfaithful man is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint. These are two of the worst pains.
• Note they hinder your nourishment, and your movement. Two of the greatest things in the work of the Lord are being nourished by the word of God and moving forward. Unfaithfulness kills both of these.

3)  The testimony that faithfulness leaves behind (Hebrews 3:1-6)

• Note that Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant. That is what a steward is, a servant.
• I think faithfulness to the things of God and his word will stand out more in the memories of children than anything else we can do.