2. “Primarily denotes the manager of a household or estate” (Vine) –oikos, a house, nemo, to arrange –Entrusted with goods and affairs of another –Oversees and administers the affairs of his Master for the Master’s benefit –Answerable to his Master –His work either honors or dishonors his Master (Joseph, Gen. 39:1-6) 2

3. Appointed over the things of God’s –Earth, Psa. 8:6-9 –Spiritual blessings in Christ, Eph. 1:3 –Time, Jas. 4:15 –Possessions, 1 Tim. 6:17-19 –God’s word, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 –All things, Acts 17:24-25 3

4. Stewards in God’s house— –Apostles, 1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Ths. 2:4; Eph. 3:1-4, 8 –Elders, Tit. 1:7 (Heb. 13:17) –Gospel preachers, 1 Cor. 9:16-17 –Every Christian, 1 Pet. 4:10 (Rom. 12:3-8) 4

5. As stewards of God’s blessings we are... –Under His authority, Mk. 13:34 (Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17) –Given God’s work to do, Mk. 13:34 (Jno. 9:4); Eph. 2:10 –Expected to use our abilities to bless and honor our Master, Matt. 25:15-17 5

6. Faithfulness is judged by our Master –Faithful to Master’s purposes, 2 Tim. 2:21-22 –Faithful to fulfill our stewardship, Matt. 24:45-46 (“doing”); 25:20-21 Dependable and Trustworthy 6

7. Can the Lord depend on you to be faithful… –To worship Him? Jno. 4:24 –To be zealous of good works? Gal. 6:10 –To be a diligent parent? Child? Spouse? –To use your time wisely for Him? Eph. 5:15-16 –To apply this to every area of life? Rom. 6:19 7

8. Good steward is dispensing, 1 Pet. 4:10 –He administers (dispenses) the Master’s goods to bless others –Apostles dispensed the grace of God as they preached the gospel of grace, Eph. 3:1-3, 8 8

9. Good steward is discriminating, Luke 12:42-47 –He knows his Master’s will and does the work he is given –He does what he knows pleases God, Jas. 4:17 9

10. Unjust steward is wasteful, Luke 16:1 –Shows disregard for the Master’s goods, Eph. 1:17- 19; 3:18-19 –We dishonor God when we squander his blessings 10

11. Make it our aim to please our Master, 2 Cor. 5:9 –Judgments of men and of ourselves are of no consequence, 1 Cor. 4:3-4 –Be singularly devoted to Christ, Lk. 16:13 Judgment day is coming, 2 Cor. 5:10 –Preparation and readiness, Matt. 24:44-51 11

12. What your Master has given you, dispense it for His glory –Be “good and faithful” –Not “wicked and lazy” Be a good steward of God, 1 Pet. 4:10 12