Luke 12:13 – 15… and one... said to him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14) And Jesus said, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15) Then he said, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things, which he possesses.

1)Jesus talks about greed and covetousness... for life is not measured by what we possess.

2) Jesus then told a parable about a rich farmer…

Luke 12:16 – 21… The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17) And he thought within himself... What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and goods. 19) And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20) But God said unto him, you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be? 21) So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Jesus teaches about responsibility by revealing two remarkable truths:

The FarmerWas Irresponsible to Himself…He thought life consisted of what he possessed

The rich man was self-centered referring to himself 12 times in this short passage…I, me, my

Rudyard Kipling … Do Not pay too much attention to fame, power, and money because someday you will meet the one who cares for none of these things, and then you will know how poor you really are.

The FarmerWas Irresponsible To Others… This rich man didn’t realize that God had blessed him so he could bless others!

This rich man was going to put away all his wealth and stop working…

Many Christians quit too soon, not thinking of others

Tom Monahan, owner of Dominoes Pizza was heard to say I will sell my multi-million dollar business and go to South America to build churches. Sounds noble but…

What a waste for such a talented man to quit making money and start hammering nails. It may be therapeutic or even heroic… but it is not fruitful. He would accomplish a great deal more if he would keep making millions and send hundreds of carpenters to build churches in South America!

The FarmerWas Irresponsible: God called him a fool because “he was not rich toward God.”

Two: A Sensible Steward Is Relaxed.

Luke 12:22-34…Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worryabout your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 "Life is more than food, and the body [is] [more] than clothing. 24 "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 "If you then are not able to do [the] least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more [will] [He] [clothe] you, O [you] of little faith? 29 "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Stewardsrelax by trusting the Lord to provide… Don’t worry

Stewardsrelax by seeking the Kingdom…Don’t worry

Stewardsrelax knowing that “all these things”will be added unto

them

Stewardsrelax and never fear... as they invest in the kingdom they understand that they will follow their treasure to eternity…

Three: A Sensible Steward Is Ready.

Luke 12: 35-40… Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36) And yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open unto him immediately. 37) Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38) And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39) And this know, that if the good-man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40) Betherefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not.

Jesus shifts His teaching…from worry about the present to being watchful for the future.

Many are like the rich fool, they are so concerned with what they have here and now that they have lost their vision of the future.

Quit holding, hoarding, grabbing, saving, storing, clutching, waiting, and postponing

Today is the day you can make a difference... Jesus is coming soon and Your most fruitful service is possible today! Get ready!

Four: Sensible Stewards Are Rewarded For Accountability

Luke 12:41-48…Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable [only] to us, or to all [people]?"

This is the most often asked question…Does this mean me?

The following parable demonstrates the inclusiveness of God’s plan

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] master will make ruler over his household, to give [them] [their] portion of food in due season? 43 “Blessed [is] that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 “Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

45“But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming… 46 "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking...and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint [him] his portion with the unbelievers. 47 "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare [himself] or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes].

48“But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Jesus explains who the sensible steward is...

Thosewho know what to do and do it are sensible stewards

Thosewho know what to do and don't do it... receive the greatest condemnation…