LUKE 12:35-57 WARNINGS TO STEWARDS Circumstances of life and events in the world sometimes leaves disciples of the Lord uncertain about the future. The Lord Jesus Christ gave clear teaching about deteriorating conditions on earth, both moral and spiritual. He has gone to prepare a place for us and entrusted us with the responsibility to live out what we believe. The uncertain time in regards to His return is not a trap laid by God to catch us off guard. In grace, He is giving lots of opportunity for those who follow Him to show the reality of their faith and commitment to Him. He intends for us as stewards of all that He has given to us to have our loins girded about with truth. Our lights burning in the darkness is our Gospel message to those who are in sin. The heart of a faithful steward will be waiting in the anticipation of devotion to the Lord. Our hands serving in meeting needs of others in the Lord's name, are ready for him constantly. The watching eyes of a faithful steward can see evidence in prophecy of the nearness of the Lord's promise.
A faithful steward will be a sincere person, not a hypocrite who lives one thing and says something else. Nor will such a servant spend his life in fear but will recognize events and characteristics of our times, gives us opportunities to witness for our Lord that we don't find when all is calm outwardly. The trusting steward does what he does "as to the Lord" and does not worry about every little thing that happens. In his life he is not known as one who is greedy but is generous in giving of what he has to benefit others. In that way he is laying up treasure in heaven. A faithful steward will always find plenty to do and applies himself with diligence to his work. He is not a lazy person living carelessly because his Lord is not seen visibly by him.
We may not see in our lifetime the results of our stewardship. We may not have material gain for the efforts we put in to serving our Lord, but the whole point of bond-service is that the Master is honored and what belongs to Him is honored and multiplied. Earthly rewards are just that - things that can be used on earth. Faithful stewards of the Lord Jesus Christ look forward and upward to heaven and the eternal future. That is where the rewards for this training time will be made real to us. The principles of stewardship are quite simple. Remember who you serve - the Lord, not self. Remember what is expected of a steward - that he will be wise and faithful. Remember the steward is to dispense to those around him who serve, "their portion." The steward isn't to keep everything for himself. Remember the faithful steward will continue to tend to his responsibilities so that when the Lord comes, he will not be found asleep and lazy.
Another warning in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ and our commitment to serving Him, is that when He came bringing "grace and truth," He lit a fire. That firs ultimately took Him to the "baptism" of crucifixion. That in turn, because of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, has divided this world of people into those who love and follow Him, and those who despise and reject Him. The distinction between light and darkness cannot be blurred. People cannot serve God and the devil at the same time. Loyalties and commitments must be decided, and those varying decisions divide people - even families. A faithful steward has to risk rejection by people to faithfully serve His Lord.
When the Lord Jesus again spoke to the great crowd of people, He pointed out through a common illustration, there is something fundamentally wrong that is common to everyone. That is the inclination to ignore warning signs of the times and live as if things will go on forever as they are now. Farmers and fishermen, and to a lesser degree, travelers watch the sky to look for favorable conditions. For more than three years the Lord and His disciples had gone to the cities and villages telling them the kingdom of God was here. But the people were intentionally ignoring the signs of the times of visitation. He called them to repent now before the time of final judgment and rejection of the sinner comes. There is a time of grace offered before getting to the judge, when things can "be settled out of court." God's grace is available now to settle the problem of sin that separates men from God. If one neglects or refuses this offer, there will be the full extent of the authority of the Righteous Judge to exact full payment for a rejecting God and His offer of mercy.
It is not uncommon for people to ignore warnings of things to come. For reasons of comfort in present circumstances they hope there will be none That will disturb their peace or force a change in the life they have chosen to live. So, they choose to ignore or walk away from those who have warnings to give.
A faithful steward might say in his heart, "No one is paying attention. The warnings I am giving and offers of mercy, face nothing but continual rejection. But let us remember the One we serve is where our obligation lies.
The results are His to discern and judge, everything is open to His eyes.
The work He has given us to do for Him must be attended to each day. To give attention to the distractions that abound, may lead us to go astray. He has told us to occupy ourselves with the work He gave us to do. When He comes to claim what is His, is the time He reveals the false and the true.
I may never realize now the outcome of an event or simple effort made. It is beyond my area of understanding to determine the price another paid In their service and unseen suffering, and yet in faith they persevere. The Master knows, and that's all that matters, in His time He'll make all things clear.
There may be conflicts arise and we wonder how to avoid that problem. Some things come to division between family and friends, there is no way to solve them. That is part of the price to pay in being faithful to the Master's instruction. Some will enjoy everlasting life by God's grace, others - everlasting destruction.
As stewards of the Gospel and of the truth of God, we must be faithful to Him. To not apply ourselves to the work, or carelessly do it is sin. He has given us the privilege of bearing His name and placed a work in our hands. When reckoning time comes, we will then realize the value of the velvet, holy bands.
"Father, please give Thy servant some way to honor Thee this day and produce some benefit from the service Thou hast given me. May Thy name be praised in some way through these clay, mortal lips. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."