First Principles

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First Principles
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Lesson 2
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Lesson TextMatthew 2514-17
Matthew 2514-19 14 For the kingdom of heaven is
as a man travelling into afar country, who called
his own servants, and delivered unto them his
goods.
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Lesson TextMatthew 2514-17
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another
two, and to another one to every man according
to his several ability and straightway took his
journey. 16 Then he that had received the five
talents went and traded with the same, and made
them other five talents.
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Lesson TextMatthew 2514-17
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also
gained other two. 18 But he that had received
one went and digged in theearth, and hid his
lords money. 19 After a long time the lord of
those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
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Lesson TextMatthew 2518-21
Matthew 2520-21 20 And so he that had received
five talents came and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five
talents behold, I have gained beside them five
talents more.
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Lesson TextMatthew 2518-21
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good
and faithful servant thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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Lesson TextMatthew 2522-23
Matthew 2522-23 22 He also that had received two
talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst
unto me two talents behold, I have gained two
other talents beside them.
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Lesson TextMatthew 2522-23
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and
faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a
few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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Focus VerseI Corinthians 42
I Corinthians 42 Moreover it is required in
stewards, that a man be found faithful.
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Focus Thought
God requires that a steward be faithful
therefore, the good steward will acknowledge that
his position is one of service and not ownership.
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I. Role of a Steward
Culture Connection Good Stewardship through
Financial Crises
The deep recessionary economic crisis of
2008-2010 has revealed the tenuous and delicate
position of global finances. With the global
markets reported to have been close to total
collapse in the fall of 2008, governments around
the world began to take dramatic, emergency
measures to try to avert the collapse. Ever
since, global economies have been shaky, to
say the least.
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I. Role of a Steward
Jamie Chisholm, global markets commentator for
Financial Times, observed the following in an
article dated February 12, 2010, and titled
Chinas Surprise Monetary Tightening Shatters
Calm Hopes that the European Unions promise
to stand by Greece would deliver a period of
relative market calm were shattered on Friday
after further monetary tightening by China saw
traders suddenly cut risky positions. . . .
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I. Role of a Steward
The message coming out of China in recent weeks
has been quite clearpolicymakers are becoming
more concerned about containing inflationary
expectations and managing the risk of asset price
bubbles, said Jing Ulrich, managing director of
China equities and commodities at JPMorgan.
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I. Role of a Steward
The difficult financial times only serve to
remind believers that their hopes do not lie in
the world systems, financial or otherwise.
Nothing calls for good stewardship more strongly
than the realization that all we have really
belongs to God, and our hopes rest in Him alone.
Every believer is responsible and accountable to
God to live according to biblical principles as
they relate to stewardship. If we will be good
stewards of that which God entrusts to us, He
will take care of us, whatever crises come to us
and to the world.
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I. Role of a Steward
Contemplating The Topic
The principle of stewardship for the Christian
is all encompassing. In his book titled Money,
Possessions, and Eternity, Randy Alcorn wrote,
Stewardship is not a subcategory of the
Christian life. Stewardship is the Christian
life. After all, what is stewardship except that
God has entrusted to us life, time, talents,
money, possessions, family, and His grace?
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I. Role of a Steward
If there is blessing in faithful stewardship,
then there is also peril in poor stewardship.
Success in resource management becomes a
hindrance to progress when a person fails to obey
Gods Word, follow His principles, and use His
plan.
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I. Role of a Steward
Searching The Scriptures
Role of a Steward
Stewardship is an individuals role and
responsibility in managing his life and property
regarding the rights of others. In biblical times
this involved managing personal and business
affairs for others.
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A. Must Manage Anothers Affairs

1. Must Manage Anothers Affairs

God first established the idea of stewardship,
and there are numerous examples of stewardship in
the Scriptures. Mankind as the steward of Gods
created world and of his own life was Gods first
appointment. (See Genesis 128.) Following this
same fundamental idea, the Hebrew patriarch,
Abraham, entrusted his possessions and household
to Eliezer.
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I. Role of a Steward
He called him, the steward of my house, even
assigning him the important task of selecting a
bride for Isaac (Genesis 152 242-4). As a
servant in Egypt, Joseph was a steward in
Potiphars house. (See Genesis 394.) David
placed among the most influential of his kingdom
the stewards over all the substance and
possession of the king, and of his sons, even
calling them brethren (I Chronicles 281-2).
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I. Role of a Steward
In his book Christian Giving, John Hopkins
wrote, The word steward in the New Testament
comes from the Greek word oikonomos and it
designates the Lords ministers and teachers (I
Corinthians 41-2), believers in general (I Peter
410), and the bishops (pastors) of the churches
(Titus 15-7). It literally means one who
arranges the house. A public official could be
called oikonomos, (Romans 1623), an overseer or
guardian (epitropos, Luke 83).
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I. Role of a Steward
Paul acknowledged that we are stewards of the
mysteries of the gospel, which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory (Colossians 127). He
recognized that a dispensation was committed to
him. (See I Corinthians 41 917 Galatians
27 Ephesians 32 Colossians 123-29.) In other
words, God dispensed to him a special
responsibility, which made him a steward with
specific duties relative to proclaiming Gods
grace to others.
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I. Role of a Steward
As guardian and dispenser of Gods grace, the
Christian believer is a steward and should be
both faithful and wise. To be a good steward of
Jesus Christ, one first should recognize the need
to have a servants attitude. He then becomes
excited about helping someone else succeed. The
Lord Himself demonstrated this attitude by
descending into His creation as a servant rather
than a ruler. Paul wrote that He made himself of
no reputation (Philippians 27).
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I. Role of a Steward
Paul also declared that we should acquire the
same mind, or thinking process as that of Christ.
(See Philippians 25.) This managing role of a
steward from a divine perspective is evident in
three stewardship parables (1) the parable of
the unjust steward (Luke 161-10) (2) the
parable of the talents (Matthew 2514-30) and
(3) the parable of the pounds (Luke 1910-27). In
each parable, the owner expected individuals to
profitably manage his goods, money, and business
affairs.
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I. Role of a Steward
Success or failure hinged on their wise use of
available resources. Fearful of taking risks, the
servants who were wicked and slothful ventured
nothing and gained nothing save the wrath of the
owner. Apparently, God considers good stewardship
to include taking calculated risks in order to
gain the best possible increase to His business.
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B. Must Be Wise

1. Must Be Wise

A successful steward should exercise wisdom by
establishing goals, making correct choices, and
implementing timely decisions. Even Jesus Christ
in His earthly ministry reflected the thinking of
a planning steward I must work the works of him
that sent me, while it is day the night cometh,
when no man can work (John 94). He recognized
the need to capitalize on the investment that God
had made in His life.
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I. Role of a Steward
To meet the requirements for exercising wise
stewardship, we first must know what the
requirements are. Therefore, a wise steward
recognizes that planning a clearly defined task
is the first step toward the successful
completion of that task. Certainly, a wise
steward understands what is expected of him.
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Luke 1242
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and
wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over
his household, to give them their portion of meat
in due season? (Luke 1242).
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C. Must Give Account

1. Must Give Account

The Bible clearly shows that the Master will one
day call for an accounting of the use of His
resources. In the parable of the talents,
inspection day came for the servants who had
received the talents Therefore is the kingdom
of heaven likened unto a certain king, which
would take account of his servants. And when he
had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents (Matthew
1823-24).
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I. Role of a Steward
The term reckon is an accounting term, rendered
as take account in the previous verse, meaning
to compare receipts, expenditures, and balance.
When he opened the books, the master discovered
that one servant owed him an incalculable debt,
which could be neither hidden nor satisfied by
the servant.
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I. Role of a Steward
Pertaining to the calling of believers as
stewards in the kingdom of God, Paul solemnly
warned So then every one of us shall give
account of himself to God (Romans 1412). From
this statement we derive several things (1) the
certainty of reckoning (2) the Lordship of Jesus
Christ, the only one able to render a just
judgment and (3) the responsibility of each
person to give an account of himself to God.
Thus, everyone will have to give an account of
his character, his attitude, and his work
performed on Christs behalf.
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D. Must Be Trustworthy and Faithful

1. Must Be Trustworthy and Faithful

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul
observed the accountability of stewards of
Christ Moreover it is required in stewards,
that a man be found faithful (I Corinthians
42). Fidelityfaithfulness to dutyis the first
absolute biblical requisite in a steward, and a
prerequisite to blessing. The Bible reminds us
that God rewards us with true riches based on
proven trustworthiness in lesser things. (See
Luke 1610-11.)
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II. Accountability of Stewards
Accountability of Stewards

1. Time

The Bible mentions the concept of time on nearly
eight hundred occasions in more than seven
hundred verses. Since everything we do occurs in
time, stewards will succeed only when they use
their time wisely. Even Jesus noted the
importance of the prudent use of time (John 94).
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I. Role of a Steward
Time passes in uniform increments that yield
themselves to work and management. We might
sandwich some work that takes minutes between
major jobs that require hours. On the other hand,
it takes months to produce a crop and years to
educate a child. By prioritizing responsibilities
and working efficiently, we can make wise use of
our allotted days and years.
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I. Role of a Steward
Paul advised, See then that ye walk
circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil
(Ephesians 515-16). The wise steward redeems
time, literally buying the opportunity. We
should strive to be diligent to accomplish as
much as possible in a minimum amount of time.
Everything we do requires time and the better
stewards of time we are, the more we will achieve
and the greater will be our rewards (Ron Becton,
Its about Time, Apostolic Man, 2003).
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I. Role of a Steward
The wise steward learns to stay focused, avoiding
involvement in things that distract from his
priorities. He works to eliminate the
time-robbers of idleness, procrastination, and
involvement in things that do not profit the
kingdom. He also practices writing out his goals,
plans, and action steps, and he vehemently
rejects any excuse for not starting and finishing
a job. Also, he recognizes his limitations and
delegates tasks to others who have proven
dependable.
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B. Money

1. Money

God gives to mankind the power to obtain wealth
(Deuteronomy 818). Therefore, anything we give
to Him comes only from what He has given to us (I
Chronicles 2914). Jesus stated that one cannot
serve both God and mammon, so the wise steward
should never allow money to be his god (Matthew
624). He should learn to use money without
allowing money to use him.
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B. Money
The greatest benefit of money comes when a person
invests it into the kingdom of God by paying
tithes and offerings and by helping people in
need. Even a penny held close enough to the eye
will hide the largest item from our view, and it
becomes our focus. Paul instructed Timothy to
advise those who are wealthy to be level headed
about their possessions. (See I Timothy 617-18.)
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I Timothy 617-18
Charge them that are rich in this world, that
they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us
richly all things to enjoy that they do good,
that they be rich in good works, ready to
distribute, willing to communicate (I Timothy
617-18).
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C. Prayer

1. Prayer

Christians have received the Holy Spirit, which
helps them to discern the things freely given of
God (I Corinthians 212)for example, the human
body, mind, and spirit. The New Testament
Scriptures compare our human bodies to temples
that house Gods Spirit. (See I Corinthians
316-17 619-20 II Corinthians 616 Ephesians
221.) Paul wrote to the Roman church that we
should present our bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God (Romans 121).
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Quote from Michael Williams
Daily we make decisions and choices that reveal
our relationship to these treasures entrusted to
our care. How we use our time, our talents, and
our treasure declares clearly what matters most
to us. Watch what a person does with these, and
you will quickly see his priorities (Michael
Williams).
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I. Role of a Steward
Having been filled with the Holy Spirit, wise
stewards keep Gods temples pure. They choose to
do nothing that will dishonor, harm, or destroy
their bodies, using them for the glory of God.
Sanctification, both inward and outward,
glorifies God in our bodies. A good steward of
the body not only avoids sexual sins, alcohol,
drugs, tobacco, gluttony, and other defiling
habits, but he also follows a healthy life with
sufficient rest and recreation.
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I. Role of a Steward
A good steward guards his mind against
detrimental thoughts. He practices Pauls
admonition Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things (Philippians 48). The apostle also
exhorted us to cast down imaginations and high
things that exalt themselves against the
knowledge of God (II Corinthians 105).
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I. Role of a Steward
To have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 216
Philippians 25) means we think and act like Him.
Satan targets our minds therefore, we should
renew our minds by reading and meditating daily
on the Word of God. Furthermore, we should
continually be in a prayerful attitude and
restrict our leisure reading to wholesome
material. We should fill our minds with Gods
Word, which will enable us to win spiritual
battles and resist Satans attacks.
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D. Gospel

1. Gospel

Stewards are accountable to preach the gospel
fully and without compromise, adhering always to
truth. Paul declared, But as we were allowed of
God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so
we speak not as pleasing men, but God, which
trieth our hearts (I Thessalonians 24). Paul
also understood that God was holding him
accountable for the gospel committed to his
trust. (See I Timothy 111.)
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I. Role of a Steward
Truth is precious in any generation. Jesus
prophesied, And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free (John 832). The wise
steward cultivates a love for the truth, which
enables him to avoid the strong delusion that
leads to damnation. (See II Thessalonians
210-12.) Paul indicated that some were among the
believers in Rome who held the truth in
unrighteousness (Romans 118). They had known
God and had held the truth at one time, but they
were no longer faithful stewards of that
treasure.
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Quote from Ray Kloepper
Buying truth at any cost is an incredible
bargain selling truth at any price is a foolish
transaction. We should have this truth settled
firmly and deeply in our minds and hearts. We
should obey and love truth. We must be faithful
stewards of the truth that has been entrusted to
us (Ray Kloepper, Buy the Truth and Sell It
Not, Apostolic Man 3, no. 3 (2003) 12).
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E. Talents

1. Talents

We normally use the word talents to indicate
gifts, skills, or abilities that one possesses or
has developed. We should not selfishly withhold
these gifts rather, we should use them to
minister to one another as good stewards of the
grace of God (I Peter 410).
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III. Penalty for Poor Stewardship
When Moses needed craftsmen skilled in
metallurgy to build vessels and furniture for the
Tabernacle, God gave him Bezaleel and Aholiab.
(See Exodus 311-6.) God also supplies human
resources through a persons gifts and skills to
perfect our temples that house the Holy Spirit.
He gives those gifts and talents to people,
expecting them to use them and to multiply them.
Therefore, we should develop and hone the talents
God has given us to the best of our abilities.
(See II Peter 13.)
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II Peter 13
According as his divine power hath given unto us
all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us
to glory and virtue (II Peter 13).
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III. Penalty for Poor Stewardship
As members of the body of Christ, we should
bring glory to God by using the special gifts God
has given each of us (Romans 123-8). One may
have the gift of prophecy while others have gifts
of ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling,
and showing mercyeach to be used in a manner
that honors God. We should always resist the
temptation to use Gods talents primarily to
achieve personal fame. Good stewards use Gods
gifts to glorify Him.
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III. Penalty for Poor Stewardship
Penalty for Poor Stewardship
If successful stewardship involves glorifying
God and using things in a way that edifies the
church, then a lack of quantitative increase or
qualitative improvement symbolizes poor
stewardship. (See Luke 1916-23.) Gods resources
in the hands of gifted and skilled stewards never
fail to increase. Thus, failure with kingdom
resources is due to poor management and
carries a stiff penalty.
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A. The Fool and His Barn

1. The Fool and His Barn

Luke told the sad story of a gifted farmer whose
fields brought forth plentifully, but who failed
to honor God with his increase. (See Luke
1215-21.) All he possessed really belonged to
God. The soil was created by God, and He provided
the growing season, the moisture, the seed of the
crops, and even the skill of the laborers.
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III. Penalty for Poor Stewardship
Caught in the grip of covetousness, this steward
of Gods resources decided to tear down his barns
and build bigger ones to retain all he had
produced for his own ease and consumption. But
God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul
shall be required of thee then whose shall those
things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke
1220). The lesson of this parable is that any
steward is a fool who lays up treasure for
himself and is not rich toward God.
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B. The Fool and His Riches

1. The Fool and His Riches

An event in the life of Jesus is yet another
example of the penalty for poor stewardship. (See
Mark 1017-22.) A man who had great wealth ran to
Jesus with the question, What shall I do that I
may inherit eternal life? Perceiving his
dilemma, Jesus focused first on the commandments
given in the Law, which the man confessed to
having observed from his youth.
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B. The Fool and His Riches
Then the Lord told him to demonstrate his love
for God by selling his possessions, giving to the
poor, and taking up the cross to follow Jesus.
This he chose not to do and went away
sorrowfully, unable to part with his wealth.
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C. The Negligent Servant

1. The Negligent Servant

Jesus compared the kingdom of Heaven to a man
travelling into a far country, who called his own
servants, and delivered unto them his goods
(Matthew 2514). One servant received five
talents, another received two talents, and the
third received one talent. Jesus then revealed
the extreme consequences for poor stewardship.
(See Matthew 2528-30.) Not only was the unused
talent taken from the unprofitable steward and
given to the one having ten, but the servant was
also cast into outer darkness.
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B. The Fool and His Riches
It may seem drastic to cast a negligent steward
into outer darkness, or Hell, for his poor use of
money. However, if these talents were to
represent the Scriptures, the penalty would be
justified. The Word of God is given to everyone,
available to each in whatever measure his
ability, intellect, background, or personality
can assimilate. The Word will not return void,
but it will prosper and accomplish its purpose
when it is invested (Isaiah 5511).
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IV. Reward of Good Stewardship
Reward of Good Stewardship
Our lesson text reveals two types of rewards
given for faithfulness. In either case, the
steward is promoted to an honored place with his
master. Faithfulness is the key word in Christian
stewardship and is also the basis for eternal
rewards. (See I Corinthians 42.)
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IV. Reward of Good Stewardship
The faithful believer will be blessed in every
area of his life Be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life (Revelation
210) For the Lord preserveth the faithful
(Psalm 3123). A biblical definition of the word
faithfulness includes not only complete faith in
Gods Word but also action or obedience to it.
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A. Rule over Many Things
Jesus Christ has personally ascended into a far
country, entrusting His kingdom goods and
affairs to all believers, who are able ministers
of the New Testament. He will return and call
them into account for their stewardship. Wise
stewards joyfully anticipate the day God calls
them for a reckoning.
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A. Rule over Many Things

1. Rule over Many Things

The first type of reward for faithful
stewardship is rulership. Stewards who have been
faithful over a few things will be made ruler
over many. Faithfulness in little responsibility
merits a position of greater responsibility.
Gods principle of stewardship is two sided To
everyone who has, more shall be given and
everyone who has not shown a profit shall lose
even that which he has (Matthew 2529).
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A. Rule over Many Things
The familiar declaration Well done, thou good
and faithful servant is repeated twice in the
parable of the talents. Each time, it is
addressed to the steward who showed a profit for
his lord. To be made ruler over many things is a
promotion of the servant to a higher station of
service to the Lord. Faithful stewards ruling and
reigning with Jesus after the resurrection of the
just will be the fulfillment of this principle.
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B. Experience Joys of the Lord

1. Experience Joys of the Lord

The second type of reward for good stewardship is
the invitation to enter thou into the joy of thy
lord (Matthew 2523). This expression apparently
refers to a festival held in celebration of the
masters return. The Lords commendation, Well
done, may be earned by even the most
impoverished of believers, because it is given
for faithful service.
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B. Experience Joys of the Lord
Internalizing The Message
God provides assets and gifts to His servants,
but our choices in the implementation of those
gifts determine our destiny. In the study of
physical science, we have discovered that every
action reaps an opposite and equal reaction or
consequence. Paul reinforced this principle in
his letter to the Galatians Be not deceived
God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap (Galatians 67).
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A. Rule over Many Things
Therefore, if we properly invest the gifts God
has given us, we will reap a great, eternal
reward. On the other hand, those who do not
invest their God-given gifts will reap the
everlasting punishment slated for slothful
servants. The stewards responsibility to his
master is to prove himself worthy of greater
responsibility. It is unwise for a steward to be
lazy or to procrastinate.
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A. Rule over Many Things
A wise steward is diligent and highly motivated,
and he is preoccupied with responsibilities
rather than with rights, since he has no claim to
any of the assets he manages. Evaluation of the
steward by anyone other than the owner is
meaningless. In the day of reckoning before our
Master, the opinions of others on earth who knew
our name, called us great, or considered us fools
will not matter at all.
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A. Rule over Many Things
Furthermore, it will not matter if our personal
estate was large or small, or whether many or few
attended our funeral. The only thing that will
really matter is what the Master thinks of us in
the day of reckoning.