What Group Are You Hangin' With?

As Jesus continues His teaching on true stewardship in Matthew Gospel after His encounter with "The Rich Young Ruler", we come to the Parable of the Landowner, Matthew 20:1-16. This parable reveals some very important foundational truths if believers are to be faithful and wise stewards of Christ.

We see that there are five groups of workers at different times of the day that the landowner employs to work in His field. How the various groups respond to the landowner before they go into the field to work is a key to understanding true stewardship. The first group who start work at 6 AM agree with the landowners terms of wages for their work, one denarius. However, looking at the groups that the landowner hired at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM we see that the landowner makes no promise of a set wage, but only that he would give them "whatever is right", yet they still go into the field and work. What we see here is that the first group of workers agree for a set wage for their labors and the other four groups of workers trust that the landowner will be fair in return for their labors. This is very important.

Finally the end of the day comes and the workers come in from the field to receive their wage. However, the landowner reverses the order in which he pays the workers starting from the last group hired to the first. The first group of worker see that the other groups receive the same pay, a denarius. They supposed that they would receive more because they worked longer. Seeing that they received the same, a denarius, they complain to the landowner. The landowner bring their attention to his faithfulness of him honoring his agreement with them. He also makes them aware that it is lawful to do what he wishes with his own things and then concludes with, "Or is your eye evil because I an good?"

The focus of this parable concerns how believers see and approach Jesus Christ. Do you suppose that your works should be rewarded? Do you become angry when another believer seems to be more blessed than you even when you have worked longer or harder? Why did the first group respond so negatively? They thought that their "Works" would make a way for the landowner to bless them, whereas the other four groups trusted the landowner and got to experience the landowners abundant "Grace".

Jesus concludes by saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen". It takes faith to walk as faithful and wise steward of Jesus Christ, because it's not about money or possessions, nor is it about how much money or possessions that we give or don't give, it's about our relationship with the landowner. So, what group are you honestly hangin' with?

Called to be HIS Stewards

The word Steward comes from the Greek word "oikonomos"; oikos meaning house or household and nemo meaning to arrange. So a steward is one who arranges the house or one who is a manager of a household or estate. Although a steward is given much authority and responsibility in a sense they are still limited. They do not own the people or any of the things that has been placed under their control. A steward is only to carry out the desires of the true owner.

In Luke 12:41-48 Jesus teaches the Parable of the Faithful Steward. In verses 42 - 44 Jesus hits some points that we need to consider because this parable implies that all believers are to see themselves as stewards. It also describes some of the attributes that surround true stewardship...

• A good steward is expected to be faithful and wise…
• The master places the steward as ruler over his household, people and possessions…
• The resources are to be used to care for the masters other servant’s…
• The master expects the steward to serve faithfully while he is away…
• There will be a reward, blessing, when the master returns because the steward was faithful…

To examine this a little further, Luke 16:1-13 we see the Parable of the Unjust Stewart. In this parable the rich man represents God and the steward a believer. Jesus reveals in this parable a steward who was wasting the owners goods and the repercussion that the steward would face due to his abuse of the rich man's possessions.

Let us not be naive when it comes to the possession that we have. We must understand...

• God owns all things. This includes the physical universe, all spiritual beings good and bad, all living things, all people and everything that people have including all the wealth hidden and revealed...
• We own nothing nor do angels, demons or the devil himself...
• We only have temporary possession and control of the things that God owns...
• God requires us to be responsible and account for how we handle His property that He has placed in our control...
• The idea of human ownership is a powerful deception that gives a false security...
• God’s system of stewardship is higher than the worlds...
• Entering into God’s system of stewardship requires faith...
• God’s resources are hidden in Christ but are available to all who desire to walk as faithful stewards...
• We are to be an extremely thankful people because Christ has paid for our indebtedness at Calvary...

If we are truly honest with ourselves in light of the parables that Jesus taught concerning stewardship, the problems that many believers face in this area are not about our lack of time, lack of possessions, or money. The problem stems from our attitudes towards these things.

Jesus shows us the radical nature of stewardship which comes down to this. We will not be successful in building or managing the things that Jesus has for believers if we have things in our lives that competes with our commitment and love for Him. We will be like salt without taste. Stewardship is a necessary component of building a life and ministry for Christ. Maybe it is time for the church in the USA to evaluate our priorities.