WHO THEN IS THE FAITHFUL AND WISE MANAGER? A Biblical Vision for Financial Stewardship Presenter: Joseph Elliotson Except where noted, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Summary From Last Week A biblical vision of financial stewardship matters: 1. Financial stewardship that pleases God is attained through faith that is rooted in what God says. 2. Financial houses that endure storms are built on God s Word. 3. A biblical vision warns and protects against the serious threats of love of money. 4. The Bible gives trustworthy, consistent counsel to discern the truth among the many voices.
Session 2: The Ministry of This Service Part 1
God s Financial Vision This session seeks to explore the big picture vision for what God wants to accomplish through our finances. This provides both a general, over-arching objective for our financial decision-making, as well as a context for interpreting specific financial areas (to be addressed in future sessions). What is God s plan for my money? What does He want me to do with it? How do I wisely make difficult financial decisions?
God s Financial Vision Big Picture Vision What it can accomplish well (and what it can t): Strengths: motivating and inspiring, broad understanding of how individual pieces fit together, often simpler in concept Weaknesses: daunting because it s BIG, not specific on how to achieve it To paint a vision well: 1. Must be clearly derived from the Bible s agenda 2. Must properly balance the visionary factors The plan to address the above.
God s Financial Vision God s expressions of His vision for finances 1. Well done, good and faithful servant! 2. Faithful and wise managers in the kingdom 3. What and how God rewards 4. God s description of normal in the kingdom of heaven 5. God s greatest decrees 6. Greatness in the kingdom 7. Distinctively godly financial management
Biblical Vision Concept #1: Well done, good and faithful servant!
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! The Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) 14 For [the kingdom of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! The Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30), continued 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more. 21 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more. 23 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! The Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30), continued 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered him, You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) A man calls his servants The man entrusts his property to them The man went away Servants stewarded the property, some faithfully and some unfaithfully The man returns after a long time The man calls his servants to account The man rewards the faithful with more The man casts the unfaithful into outer darkness
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! What is the parable saying? A talent was a large sum of money, roughly equal to 6,000 denarii. In the Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (Mt 18), one denarius was a day s wage for a labourer. Thus, a talent was perhaps 19 years wages. Parable is about managing money on behalf of the Master. Key points are: God is the owner of our money and we are simply the stewards We are accountable for putting His money to productive use We often must accept risk of loss in the pursuit of profit He will reward faithful stewardship and punish unfaithful stewardship
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! What is the parable REALLY saying? A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: (Lk 8:9-11a) The parable is about money management but the spiritual lesson may or may not have anything to do about money. The key to understanding the parable is in what Jesus says. The context of Matthew 25 appears to provide his explanation.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! The Final Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) 31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! The Final Judgment (Mt 25:31-46), continued 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? 40 And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! The Final Judgment (Mt 25:31-46), continued 41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also will answer, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you? 45 Then he will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) The Final Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) A man calls his servants - The man entrusts his property to them - The man went away - Servants stewarded property, some faithfully and some unfaithfully The man returns after a long time The man calls his servants to account The man rewards the faithful with more ( Enter into the joy of your master ) The man casts the unfaithful into outer darkness - Son of Man comes in his glory All nations are gathered before him The King gives the kingdom to the righteous ( Come inherit the kingdom ) The King condemns the cursed into eternal fire
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! Interpretation of the Parable What s particularly interesting is the heavenly meaning of financial productivity (profits) in the parable. Clearly it isn t financial gain In the parable, faithful stewardship was praised in those who earned more talents In the Final Judgment, faithful stewardship was praised in those who ministered to Jesus when he was in need ( hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned ) How? As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (v40)
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! Interpretation of the Parable Jesus identifies with his people and cares for their well-being. Any love/hate shown to his people, he takes personally. Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. (Mk 9:41) The heavenly meaning of financial productivity (faithful stewardship) is meeting the needs of his people. The heavenly meaning of entrusted property is likely God s gifts in all its forms, physical and spiritual. Finances, like any other gift, is intended to serve this greater purpose.
1. Well done, good and faithful servant! Interpretation of the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) Jesus identifies with his brothers Jesus desires for their needs to be met Jesus calls his servants and entrusts them with gifts to meet those needs Jesus has left for a long time Jesus will return and call his servants to account for their stewardship Faithful servants who pursued his desire are entrusted with more Unfaithful servants who did not pursue his desire are cast out
Biblical Vision Concept #2: Who then is the faithful and wise manager?
2. Who then is the faithful and wise manager Lk 12:40-46 (also appears in Mt 24:45-51) 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 41 Peter said, Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, My master is delayed in coming, and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.
2. Who then is the faithful and wise manager Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) Faithful & Wise Manager (Lk 12:40-46) A man calls his servants - The man gave them his property - The man went away Servants stewarded property, some faithfully and some unfaithfully The man returns after a long time The man calls his servants to account The man rewards the faithful with more ( Enter into the joy of your master ) The man casts the unfaithful into outer darkness (The master went away) The faithful servant provides for the household; the unfaithful servant abuses household for personal gain The master returns after some delay He checks up on the servants The faithful servant is blessed and entrusted with all of the master s possessions The unfaithful servant is cut in pieces and put with the unfaithful
2. Who then is the faithful and wise manager Interpretation of the Parable 1. Strikingly similar to the Parable of the Talents 2. Immediately precedes Mt 25 and is therefore part of the same teaching 3. Contributes unique descriptions: Faithful stewardship: set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time (v42) Unfaithful stewardship: to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk (v45) 4. Other contextual points (from Lk 12): 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and drink 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
2. Who then is the faithful and wise manager Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) Jesus identifies with his brothers Jesus desires for their needs to be met Jesus calls his servants and entrusts them with gifts to meet those needs Jesus has left for a long time Jesus will return and call his servants to account for their stewardship Faithful servants who pursued his desire are entrusted with more Unfaithful servants who did not pursue his desire are cast out Faithful & Wise Manager (Lk 12:40-46) Jesus takes responsibility for his household Jesus desires for its needs to be met ( portion of food ) Jesus looks for faithful and wise managers to do this Jesus has left for a long time Jesus will return unexpectedly to check up on his servants Faithful servants who served his household are entrusted with more Unfaithful servants who neglected his household are cast out
Biblical Vision Concept #3: What and How God Rewards
3. What and How God Rewards Biblical Concept of Treasure in Heaven 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt 6:19-20)
3. What and How God Rewards Questions: Treasure on earth seems understandable 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days... 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. (Jas 5:1-5) 1. What does it mean to be rewarded with treasure in heaven? How will God reward? 2. How do I store up treasure in heaven? What does God reward?
3. What and How God Rewards Storing up treasure in heaven Jesus said to him, If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. (Mt 19:21, see also Mk 10:21 and Lk 18:22) Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. (Lk 12:33) 17 As for the rich 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves (1 Tm 6:17-19)
3. What and How God Rewards Storing up treasure in heaven Two key parts: 1. Chopping down earthly treasure 2. Putting it in the hands of those who need it more Questions: Can this be taken to an extreme? Does this really mean sell everything? Do I have to be poor and penniless? What does this really look like practically??
3. What and How God Rewards How God Rewards What does it mean to have treasure in heaven? View #1 Suffer through sacrifice now, enjoy personal pleasures later Example: Islam Paradise ( Jannah ) is described as a place of physical pleasure, including food, wine (previously forbidden), shade and houris Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent forth (good deeds) in days past! (Quran 69:24) They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good [is] the recompense! (Quran 18:31a)
3. What and How God Rewards What does it mean to have treasure in heaven? View #2 Treasure in heaven is Jesus, or joy in relationship with Jesus Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Php 3:8) 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal 24 No one can serve two masters You cannot serve God and money. (Mt 6:19-20, 24)
3. What and How God Rewards What does it mean to have treasure in heaven? View #1 Risk of contradiction Why would God expend so much effort to develop selfless service in us now only to reverse it to some extent in heaven? On the other hand, doesn t the Bible encourage storing up lots treasure in heaven? View #2 Lack of descriptive explanation Doesn t everyone in heaven have Jesus, and joy in Jesus? How does God grant that joy? Are there means involved?
3. What and How God Rewards What does it mean to have treasure in heaven? Parable of the Talents: 21 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. (Mt 25:21, 29a) Faithful and Wise Manager: 42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. (Lk 12:42-44)
3. What and How God Rewards What does it mean to have treasure in heaven? And he said to him, Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities. (Lk 19:17) 10 One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Lk 16:10-11)
3. What and How God Rewards What does it mean to have treasure in heaven? Very simply, treasure is anything that is valuable, whether in heaven or on earth. Heaven s treasure is all the wealth (both physical and spiritual) of the King of heaven. To store up treasure in heaven means: to be faithfully administering earthly treasure now, for God s purposes in caring for those who need it, and to be found doing so by the King of heaven when He comes, such that He will entrust even larger portions of His heavenly wealth ( gifts ) to YOU in heaven, in order to continue that faithful stewardship forever.
3. What and How God Rewards Implications of this view: Entrusted to each according to his ability (Mt 25:15) Unlike view 1, there is no contradiction between selfless now vs self-serving later, or in storing up of treasure in heaven. Regarding view 2, this provides the means behind joy in Jesus as the treasure. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) Whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Mt 23:12) God s kingdom (heaven) is for people who love God s way.
3. What and How God Rewards Biblical illustration: Joseph in Egypt (Gen 39) Example 1: 3 His master [Potiphar] saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. Example 2: 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison.
3. What and How God Rewards Biblical illustration: Joseph in Egypt (Gen 41) Example 3: 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you. Honour: 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.
3. What and How God Rewards Biblical illustration: Joseph in Egypt (Gen 41) Faithful Stewardship: 47 During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. Outcome: 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do. 56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
Summary God s big picture vision for our finances: 1. Parable of the Talents & The Final Judgment Jesus identifies with his brothers and has entrusts talents (gifts) to his servants for the purpose of caring for their needs. He will return to call his servants to account for whether they pursued His desire in this. 2. Faithful and Wise Manager Jesus cares for his household and looks for managers who are already pursuing wisdom and faithfulness in providing for their needs. He empowers those who do but punishes those prioritize their own indulgence.
Summary God s big picture vision for our finances: 3. Treasures in Heaven For those who are faithfully using His wealth (gifts) to care for the needy when He comes, Jesus will reward in heaven with even more abundance of wealth to continue that faithful stewardship.
Next Week God s expressions of His vision for finances 4. God s description of normal in the kingdom of heaven 5. God s greatest decrees 6. Greatness in the kingdom 7. Distinctively godly financial management