The Steward's Heart: Proving Where Our Loyalty Lies

Devotional

Day 1: Faithful Stewardship Proves Where Our Heart’s Loyalty Lies

Wholehearted stewardship is not just about our actions, but about the orientation of our hearts—what we love, what we believe, and how we think. The Lord calls us to move from the anxious burden of ownership to the freedom of faithful management, recognizing that everything we have is entrusted to us by God. Our faithfulness in managing even the smallest things is a test that reveals where our true loyalty lies: are we serving ourselves, or are we serving the Lord? The way we handle our time, money, and relationships is a reflection of our heart’s devotion, and God desires that we be found faithful in all things, not just a portion. [14:46]

Luke 16:10-13 (ESV)
“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. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: In what area of your life—time, money, or relationships—do you most struggle to see yourself as a steward rather than an owner, and what is one step you can take today to surrender that area to God’s management?

Day 2: Jesus, the Faithful Steward, Frees Us from Fear and Divided Loyalty

Every one of us has failed in our stewardship, wasting God’s gifts and serving our own interests, but Jesus is the only truly faithful steward. He took our place, bearing the consequences of our unfaithfulness, and in exchange, gives us His perfect record. Because of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, we are declared righteous—not by our own faithfulness, but by His. This frees us from the fear of never being enough and from the anxiety of divided loyalty, so that we can serve God wholeheartedly, secure in His grace. [35:06]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: Where do you still feel the “day of reckoning” fear in your relationship with God, and how can you remind yourself today that Jesus has already taken your place and given you His perfect record?

Day 3: Use Earthly Resources for Eternal Impact

God calls us to be shrewd and wise with the resources He has entrusted to us—not for selfish gain, but for the advancement of His kingdom. Earthly wealth, time, and relationships are temporary, but they can be leveraged for eternal purposes when used to serve others, build up the church, and advance the gospel. The Spirit renews our minds to see money and possessions as tools, not masters, and empowers us to prioritize God’s eternal kingdom in all our decisions. [40:25]

Luke 16:8-9 (ESV)
“The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can use your resources—money, time, or influence—this week to make an eternal impact in someone’s life?

Day 4: Renew Your Mind Daily with God’s Word

Transformation begins with the renewing of our minds through God’s Word. If we are not saturating our thoughts with God’s truth, we will be shaped by the world’s values and our own misconceptions. Regular time in Scripture helps us to know God’s character, trust His goodness, and align our desires and decisions with His will. This daily renewal is essential for living as faithful stewards, managing all that God has given us from a place of security in Christ rather than striving for security on our own. [44:21]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time today to read and meditate on God’s Word, and what is one truth from Scripture you need to remember as you steward your resources?

Day 5: Wholehearted Surrender Leads to Freedom and Joy

True freedom and joy in stewardship come not from proving ourselves to God, but from wholehearted surrender—opening our hands and hearts to Him in every area of life. When we trust God’s goodness and seek His will first, we are freed from the grip of fear, anxiety, and self-protection. This surrender is proven in how we think, what we love, and how we act, as we seek to magnify God’s name in every conversation, decision, and relationship. [45:43]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: What is one area where you need to move from self-protection to wholehearted surrender, and how can you invite God to lead you in that area today?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we reflected on the profound truth that God is always at work in our lives, often in ways we cannot see or anticipate. As we considered the parable in Luke 16, we were confronted with the reality that each of us is called not to be owners, but faithful managers—stewards—of all that God has entrusted to us. This is a radical shift in identity: from living as if we are the kings of our own lives, to joyfully serving the one true King, Jesus Christ.

We traced the journey of the heart: how sin fractures our mind, desires, and will, and how God, in His mercy, renews us through His Word and Spirit. This renewal is not just for our own benefit, but so that we might live as faithful stewards, managing our relationships, resources, and opportunities for the sake of the gospel and the building up of Christ’s body. The parable in Luke 16 is jarring because it exposes the anxiety and fear that come from living as if we are owners, always worried about being “caught” or not measuring up. But Jesus invites us into the freedom of faithful management, where nothing is truly ours, but everything is entrusted to us for His purposes.

Stewardship, then, is not a narrow concept about money or tithing, but a comprehensive call to manage every aspect of our lives—our time, relationships, influence, and resources—for God’s glory. Faithfulness is the test: are we trustworthy with what we have, whether little or much? Yet, faithfulness is not just about outward actions, but about a wholehearted commitment to the Lord. Our actions flow from what we love and believe, and what we saturate our minds with.

The parable also reveals the divided heart: we cannot serve two masters. Our natural tendency is to serve ourselves, to be possessive and fearful, to seek security and comfort in money or influence. But Jesus, the only truly faithful steward, took our place—He was “fired” for our unfaithfulness, so that His perfect record could be credited to us. In Christ, the conflict is resolved, and we are set free to serve God wholeheartedly, using all we have for eternal impact.

This freedom is not about earning God’s favor, but about living from a place of security in Christ. As we renew our minds in God’s Word and abide in Him, the Spirit transforms our desires and empowers us to be shrewd and generous for the kingdom. The question is not, “What do I have to do to prove myself?” but, “How can I magnify God’s name with all He has given me?”

Key Takeaways

1. Stewardship is our true identity in Christ We are not owners, but managers of all God has entrusted to us—our time, relationships, resources, and influence. This shift in identity frees us from the anxious burden of ownership and invites us to live joyfully under God’s authority, seeking His interests above our own. [10:31]
2. Faithfulness flows from wholehearted devotion True faithfulness is not just about outward actions, but springs from a heart wholly committed to the Lord. Our deeds reveal what we truly love and believe, and only as we saturate our minds with God’s Word can our desires and will be transformed to align with His. [20:07]
3. Divided loyalty leads to fear and unrest When we try to serve both God and money, or hold tightly to our own security and comfort, we become defensive, possessive, and anxious. The fractured heart is never at rest, always calculating and striving, but never satisfied. Only in surrender to Christ do we find true peace and freedom. [25:24]
4. Christ’s faithfulness is our freedom Jesus, the only perfectly faithful steward, took our place and gave us His record of righteousness. In Him, we are declared faithful—not by our own merit, but by His. This gospel truth liberates us to serve God with open hands, managing all we have for His kingdom and glory. [34:23]
5. Stewardship is a Spirit-empowered response As we abide in Christ and renew our minds in His Word, the Spirit transforms our thinking, desires, and actions. We become shrewd and generous, leveraging all we have for eternal impact—not to earn God’s favor, but as a grateful response to His grace. [41:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:34] - Celebrating God’s Work in Ministry
[07:25] - God’s Faithfulness Behind the Scenes
[07:37] - The Day of Reckoning: Parable Introduction
[08:59] - Diagnosing the Fractured Heart
[10:31] - From Owner to Faithful Manager
[12:25] - The Meaning of Stewardship
[14:46] - Stewardship as a Test of Faithfulness
[16:20] - Accountability and Giving an Account
[18:25] - Faithfulness in Little and Much
[20:07] - Wholehearted Commitment and Faithfulness
[22:24] - Stewardship: 100% of Life
[25:24] - The Divided Heart: Serving Two Masters
[33:05] - Christ, the Faithful Steward
[41:41] - Spirit-Empowered Stewardship
[45:43] - Living with Open Hands and Surrender

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Steward’s Heart (Luke 16)

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### Bible Reading

Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 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. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

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### Observation Questions

In the parable, what was the manager accused of, and what was the consequence? (Luke 16:1-2)
According to Jesus, what does it mean to be “faithful in very little” and “faithful in much”? (Luke 16:10)
What does Jesus say about serving two masters, and what are the two options he gives? (Luke 16:13)
The sermon described stewardship as a shift in identity from “owner” to “manager.” What are some practical examples the pastor gave of things we are called to steward? [11:45]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to use a story about a dishonest manager to teach about stewardship and faithfulness? What point is he making about our hearts and actions? (Luke 16:8-9; [13:23])
The pastor said that stewardship is not just about money, but about “100% of your life.” How does this broader view of stewardship challenge common ideas about what it means to follow Jesus? [22:24]
According to the sermon, what is the danger of having a “divided heart” or trying to serve both God and money? How does this affect our peace and sense of security? [25:24]
The pastor said, “Jesus, the only truly faithful steward, took our place—He was ‘fired’ for our unfaithfulness, so that His perfect record could be credited to us.” How does this gospel truth change the way we approach stewardship? [34:23]

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### Application Questions

The sermon described the “anxious burden of ownership” and the freedom of living as a steward. In what areas of your life do you feel most possessive or anxious about “your” time, money, or relationships? What would it look like to surrender these to God’s management? [14:03]
The parable and the sermon both talk about being “faithful in little.” Think about a small area of your life (like your daily schedule, a friendship, or a small amount of money). How could you be more intentional to manage this for God’s purposes this week? [19:34]
The pastor challenged us to ask, “How can I magnify God’s name with all He has given me?” instead of “What do I have to do to prove myself?” What is one specific resource or opportunity you have right now that you could use for God’s glory? [43:07]
The sermon mentioned that our actions flow from what we love and believe, and that our minds are shaped by what we saturate them with. What are you currently filling your mind with? Is there a change you want to make to help your desires and actions align more with God’s heart? [20:31]
The pastor described the “divided heart” as being defensive, anxious, and never at rest. Are there signs of a divided heart in your life? What steps could you take to move toward wholehearted devotion to God? [25:24]
The sermon said, “We are no longer managing for our security, we’re managing from a place of security.” How does knowing you are secure in Christ change the way you think about giving, serving, or taking risks for the kingdom? [45:25]
The Spirit empowers us to be “shrewd and generous” for the kingdom. Is there a practical way you could be shrewd or generous this week—maybe with your time, money, or influence—to make an eternal impact? [41:41]

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Sermon Clips

It's a shift from being the perceived king of our heart and life to being a joyful servant. Instead of thinking that we're in charge of things, we get to be joy-filled as we learn what it means to serve the one true king, the one true living God, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are a bondservant to him. That means a willful servant choosing to serve and follow him. [00:10:53] (24 seconds) #JoyfulServantLife

If you're not saturating your mind with God's principles, you will not be transformed according to the renewing of your mind through His word. You'll be transformed according to the renewing of mind through whatever worldly things you're thinking about or whatever your personal thoughts are about God, be them right or wrong. You may be sincere as all get out and dead wrong, which is why we need to renew our mind according to the teaching of God's word. [00:20:38] (30 seconds) #RenewYourMind

Stewardship isn't just about like your tithe. Tithe literally means tenth. It's not about ten percent, it's about one hundred percent. Stewardship is one hundred percent of your life, your time, your money, your skills, relationships. It's all a test of how you're handling what God has given you. And it is all about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you stewarding what you have? Are you stewarding who you are to advance the cause of Christ for His glory? [00:22:20] (27 seconds) #TotalLifeStewardship

No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money. And this, this is the core problem. This is the definition of a fractured heart. We want to serve God and our own interests. And Jesus says, no, you're either wholeheartedly mine or you're wholeheartedly the world's. [00:25:22] (35 seconds) #OneMasterOnly

The unfaithful heart that is enslaved to money is never at rest. Never at rest. Always calculating, always second-guessing, always ensuring, if you will. The beautiful part is that into our unrest, into our unfaithfulness, into our divided loyalty, the gospel speaks. But Jesus, Jesus is the only truly faithful steward and he exchanges his perfect record for our unfaithfulness, freeing us. [00:32:41] (52 seconds) #RestlessUnfaithfulHeart

No one can serve two masters. He will either hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. The conflict is solved in Christ. Now we're free to be able to serve the Lord with all that we have. We're free to serve God entirely. [00:36:45] (19 seconds) #ServeGodNotMoney

We are to use our temporary resources, our earthly resources, for eternal impact. It's not just willpower. It's not just, I've got to do better at this. No, you need to examine your heart. You should be saying in your mind when I say the word heart, that's right. He means my thinking, what I love, and how it affects what I do. [00:40:32] (24 seconds) #EternalImpactStewardship

The Spirit of God renews our mind to see money as a tool for God's kingdom, not the master of our hearts. The Spirit redirects our desires to want the true riches of verse 11. I want to focus on the priority of God's eternal kingdom, of living with Him and for Him for all of my life. And then the Spirit empowers us. [00:41:09] (31 seconds) #SpiritLedKingdomFocus

The wholehearted steward that's freed by grace says, what a gift from the Lord. How can I be shrewd with this for the advancement of God's kingdom? I can do that. I'm free to do that. I want to magnify the greatness of God's name by building His church, by ministering to those in my neighborhood, those that I work with, my family member that may be struggling with something. I have an opportunity and now I have the resource to follow that love for the Lord and for people to advance His kingdom. How can I leverage this for eternity? [00:42:49] (51 seconds) #ShrewdStewardship

We're no longer managing for our security, we're managing from a place of security. I'm secure in Christ. God will always provide for me. He will always take care of our needs. I don't have to hold on tightly to this. I can live with open hands. This relationship, these dollars, my time, stewarded for the Lord. [00:45:25] (27 seconds) #SecureInChrist

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