“FAITHFUL AND WISE STEWARD” July 14, 2019

A steward is one who is commissioned to oversee and execute the affairs of another. The closer a
steward can represent the mind of their superior, the better they fulfill their role.
Therefore, when a steward is on assignment, ideally, they have no personal will or agenda; they strive
to have the mind and will of their superior.
Abraham’s unnamed servant in Genesis 24 (perhaps Eliezer; see Genesis 15:2 – 3) was an excellent
example of a faithful steward. His mind-set was to represent Abraham’s will and interests as faithfully as
possible.
That’s a great picture for us; we are stewards of Jesus’ domain, and our goal is to have His mind and
will. By looking at Abraham’s servant, we can gain insight into how to be more faithful and wise stewards
of God’s purposes.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 So
Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please, put your hand
under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that
you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4 but you
shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac."
5 And the servant said to him, "Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I
take your son back to the land from which you came?"
6 But Abraham said to him, "Beware that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord God of heaven,
who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to
me, saying, 'To your descendants I give this land,' He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a
wife for my son from there. 8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from
this oath; only do not take my son back there." 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham
his master, and swore to him concerning this matter…
Genesis 24:1-66 NKJV
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? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master
will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and
female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when
he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him
his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare
himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet
committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from
him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
Luke 12:42-48 NKJV
WHO THEN IS THAT FAITHFUL AND WISE STEWARD?
1. Commissioned to oversee the affairs of our Lord Jesus Christ until He comes
a) Like Abraham’s steward, we bound to an oath, and we are commissioned to execute the affairs
of our Master.
b) Should be ideally focused and no personal will or agenda to represent and execute the will and
the mind of the Master.
c) We are only released to our oath or assignment if the supposed person we are guiding will not
be willing to follow us.
2. A steward should be found faithful and wise
a) Stewards not owner
b) Stewards, servants, guides, not lords
c) Wise and faithful enough to steward God’s blessings and provisions [Parable of talents Matthew
25:14-29]
d) Faithful and wise to discern the signs and times of the Master’s return
Reflection
3. Finally, a faithful and wise steward is ready, always reflecting for the days are evil; and patiently
waiting for his master’s soon return.
a) The day of reckoning is coming
1. Settlement of account [Matthew 25:20]
2. Retribution: punishment or vengeance for wrongs committed [Matthew 25:24-26]
3. Rewarding of good deeds [Matthew 25:21]