CHILDREN STS LESSON 13 THE UNJUST STEWARD

TEXT: Luke 16:1-18

Jesus when He was here on earth always spoke to His audience or hearers in parables or stories. He taught from known to the unknown. He used simple, practical, everyday events to illustrate the spiritual truth for people to understand the hidden things. In our Bible passage, two words stand out clearly, which we need to understand:

(i) Unjust Steward unreasonable, unfair.

(ii) a person who serves another either at home or in a restaurant.

A steward must be honest, diligent and truthful in all he does, be accountable and ready for the day of judgment; that is, the day to give account of what had been done whether faithfully or deceitfully. God, in His love and mercy, has created all things and has made both adults and children to be in charge and have rule over them. He expects us to use them for His glory as the Giver and Source of them all. These are the things He has given us:

1. Time: There is a saying that time and tide wait for no man. This then means that time is very precious and must not be wasted. You are to make the best use of every second, minute and hour of every day in a profitable way, doing something concrete and tangible.
2. Talent: Every boy and girl has one or more talents from God. It may be in creative design, crafts, study (academic) or in communication. Use all to the glory of God, be humble, cool-headed and use them to develop and uplift others.

iii. Preaching the gospel: You must use your talents to win sinful children to Christ in the way you persuade and show them the way to Jesus by kind words, good deeds, works and interaction (2 Corinthians 5:19).

1. Riches: God has made you rich through your wealthy parents, relatives and friends. Do not be selfish. Share your shoes, clothes, books and other valuable things with the needy and poor. However, obtain permission first from your parents and guardians (1 Peter 4:10).
2. Intelligence: As a brilliant child, help other pupils of low and average academic ability to get to the top and excel. Use all God has given you to His glory and building up of others.

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE UNJUST STEWARD: Luke 16:1-8; Matthew 25:14-16

1. He was wasteful. He sold goods at lower prices to gain the favour of the buyers (customers). This was a wicked act that brought loss instead of profit or gain to his master.
2. He was lazy and not enterprising. He could not think of a better, profitable, commendable and greater way to make money and progress in life. He said, “for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship. I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed” (Luke 16:3c).

iii. He was proud and not ready to apologise or make his ways right before his master. He was desperate and deep in corruption and evil.

1. He was dishonest (Luke 16:4-7) and wicked. As a child of God, you must be truthful, careful, manage and do all things with the fear of God, knowing that you cannot hide from Him. Where you have done wrong, humble yourself and ask for forgiveness and grace to do better (Psalm 51:17).

1. CONSEQUENCES OF UNFAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP AND CALL TO BE A FAITHFUL STEWARD:

Luke 16:2,10,11; 12:42-44; Matthew 24:45-51; 25:18,28,30

Any child who is lazy and careless in the service of God will have the privilege of being a worker taken away from him or her. A chorister (member of the choir) who will not attend choir-practices, nor do his/her quiet-time, daily Bible reading, homework and memory verse will be withdrawn to make such a child know the importance of such activities as part of his/her spiritual upliftment and development. He may be cast out of the Kingdom and miss heaven at last.

The way of escape then is to be a genuine child of God, your heart washed very clean and white with the precious blood of Jesus. Live a transparent, honest life in the fear of God to receive a just reward according to the just work of your hands. The unjust will spend his/her life forever in hell (Matthew 25:30).

You must make up your mind to be honest, faithful and profitable so that you can receive commendation and rewards from God. He will give you the grace, power and will to make right decisions and to do well. Also, God Himself will promote and give you eternal life.

Believe Him and be more fruitful and productive. Be faithful to the end. At home, in family business and running errands, how do you handle the work given to you? Do you keep back some change – the remaining money after buying things? Do you lie about the things you buy? Do you alter or cancel receipts? Do you lie to get money or things to take to school? Do you keep stolen things in your friends’ or neighbours’ house? When corrected for wrongdoings, do you destroy or damage properties, or deliberately allow things to spoil or give them out freely to others in anger and revenge?

Remember, all you do is open to God and He will punish the disobedient. If you have been unfaithful, you need to repent now, ask for forgiveness and cleansing of your sins with the blood of Jesus. Ask Him to be your personal Saviour, Lord and Master. Be faithful, just and honest in all you do and let it be to the glory of God.

3. CONCRETE EXAMPLES OF UNJUST AND JUST STEWARDS IN THE BIBLE: Luke 16:9-13; Joshua 7:1-5

1. King Saul. He was the first anointed king of Israel. He disobeyed God in not destroying the enemies of Israel totally as God commanded (1 Samuel 15:22).
2. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1- 10). This husband and his wife agreed to keep back part of the offering to give to God. They lied to Peter that they had given all. God revealed everything to Peter who told them all they did. They died the same day. Are you deceitful, thinking that you are clever? Watch it; do not play into the hands of Satan.

iii. Demas. He was once a fervent preacher like Paul. He forsook the gospel and went back into worldliness (2 Timothy 4:10).

There were also examples of faithful stewards:

1. Dorcas. She used her riches to help the poor widows. When she died, God used Peter to bring her back to life (Acts 9:36).
2. Lydia. She was hospitable, kind and caring to Paul and other ministers of God (Acts 16:14,15).

iii. Paul. He preached the gospel to sinners under terrible persecutions (Romans 1:14-16).

Whatever you may be going through, preach the gospel. You will be greatly rewarded here on earth and in heaven.

QUESTIONS:

1. Explain the word unjust.
2. Who is a steward?
3. What must you do to be effective in all your assignments?
4. Mention some people who were (i) unjust (ii) faithful in the Bible.
5. What are the rewards for the (i) ca unjust (ii) and the faithful 2. stewards?

MEMORY VERSE: “And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou ally mayest be no longer steward” (Luke16:2).

LESSON: All unjust children will give account of their lives and be judged.

THOUGHT: I will be a just steward in God’s house.

ACTIVITY: Name the people that were faithful to God and men in their duties from these Bible passages: Acts the 16:14,15; Exodus 36:1; Romans 1:14-16.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 85- GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

CHORUSES: (1) Lord, make me to be like Jesus inner my heart.

(2) It is no longer I that liveth, but Christ that of liveth in me.

(3) Give me grace to follow, Your grace is enough for me.

HOMEWORK: Write in your homework book what you will do to make life better and richer for others.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meanings of these words. You use your dictionary.

1. Unjust 2. Talent 3. Consequences 4. Evangelise 5. Faithful.