What does the manager's dilemma in Luke 16:3 teach about stewardship? The Text in Focus Luke 16:3: “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking away my stewardship? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.’” The Manager’s Dilemma Explained • He faces immediate loss of position—his authority over another’s assets is ending. • Manual labor feels beyond him; begging feels beneath him. • In that tension he must decide how to act before final accountability arrives. Stewardship Principles Drawn From the Dilemma • Accountability Is Certain – “my master is taking away my stewardship” reminds us that every trust ends in a reckoning (Romans 14:12). • Time to Act Is Limited – He considers his options before the books close; likewise, “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16). • Resources Belong to Another – He manages what is not his; Psalm 24:1 teaches, “The earth is the LORD’s.” • Stewardship Includes Self-Assessment – He measures his abilities honestly; we are to “think with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3). • Wise Planning Honors the Owner – Though his methods were flawed, his foresight is commended (Luke 16:8). Planning for eternal outcomes is crucial (Matthew 6:19-21). • Character Matters More Than Convenience – His shame at begging shows a conscience still active. Fidelity, not expediency, pleases God (1 Corinthians 4:2). • Faithfulness Extends to Small Details – Jesus concludes, “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much” (Luke 16:10). Practical Takeaways for Today • View every possession, opportunity, and talent as a temporary trust from God. • Audit motives and methods regularly; integrity outweighs short-term gain (Proverbs 10:9). • Use present resources to invest in eternal relationships and gospel purposes (1 Timothy 6:17-19). • Plan actively yet depend on the Master’s return; live ready for review (2 Corinthians 5:10). |
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