Vision: A Faithful Steward
Luke 16:10
He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”
When we consider the concept of leadership, it inevitably brings to mind all kinds of other words. For example, when we think of a leader, we often think of the word influence. And certainly, that is an appropriate word. A leader influences others and because of that influence, he can then affect the direction of something.
Another word that comes to mind when I think of the word leader is the word personality. In fact, a person with a bold personality is often considered a leader while someone with a quiet personality is considered a follower. But this assumption is not necessarily true. The idea of leadership extends beyond personality and encompasses all kinds of personalities.
But when it comes to leadership, especially spiritual leadership, there is a word we find in scripture that we simply cannot ignore. It is the word “steward.” According to God’s Word, a steward is incredibly important and the level of his stewardship will determine the level of his blessings.
To understand more about the idea of stewardship, let's examine two important principles from God’s Word.
Stewards are Faithfully Ready
In Luke 12:42 the Bible says, “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?” Jesus had shared with his disciples a parable about a master who returns from a journey to find the affairs of his household in order because of the faithful steward he left in charge. Jesus also gave them(and us) the application of the parable in Luke 12:40, “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
Jesus told His disciples about His return. And Jesus told them to be ready, to be faithful to all that God had entrusted to them. He told them of His return and He desired to find them faithful with all that belonged to Him.
Don’t miss that leadership principle! Be faithful with what you have, for when the owner comes back, He wants to find us faithful. Did you know that as a follower of Jesus Christ, we are NOT owners? That is right, we don’t own a thing. We are stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. For example, your gifts, talents, possessions, family, job, and everything else you consider yours, are really His. So are you faithfully ready so that when Jesus returns you can say that in those places of leadership that you have been a faithful steward? Luke 12:48b says it this way, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”
Stewards are Fairly Rewarded
Luke 16:10 says, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” Our faithfulness in the smallest of things is an indication of how we will steward greater things.
And if you think about it, that is just the opposite of what pride speaks to us. Pride raises up its ugly head and says, “I deserve more.” Or “I am capable of so much more.” Pride says, “Look at what I have accomplished.” Our pride looks out for our own good and believes we deserve more. The truth is stewardship is about as far from pride as it can possibly be. Why? Because pride says, “I deserve” whereas stewardship says “The Master deserves my faithfulness.”
The truth is a faithful steward is not looking out for a just reward; a faithful steward already is fairly rewarded and is attempting to be faithful with what he has already been given.
A Stewardship Illustration
One of my favorite stories from the New Testament is the feeding of the 5000! You will find Luke’s version of the story in Luke 9:12 - 17. You remember the story I am sure. There was a hungry crowd. Jesus had taught and it was now long into the afternoon. The disciples insisted that Jesus send them home so they could eat but Jesus had another idea. And His idea was divinely planned. His plan was to feed them Himself. And so Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fish, blessed it, and fed the entire crowd. Listen to what happened in vs.17, “And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.”
Now think about this carefully. Their minds are full of teaching - great teaching! Their stomachs are empty and, no doubt, growling. So Jesus feeds them, but He doesn’t ration it or give them just enough to get by. The Bible says “They all ate and were satisfied.
I have to believe that emotions were running high that day. I have to believe that there was energy and excitement over the fact that both their minds and stomachs were full. But then someone thought, “Let’s pick up the leftovers.” Someone had the idea of being a faithful steward! And look at how they were blessed.
Over the last couple of months, we have talked a lot about vision. And maybe you are asking God for a vision of what is next for you, your family, and your business. In time, His time, God will grant you that vision. But let me ask this question. Are you being faithful with what you have already been given?
What kind of steward are you? If you will be faithful with what you have today, in His time, a greater vision, and the resources for that vision will come. But first, be faithful!