Stewards, Not Owners

Luke 19:11-27 | Morris Henriquez | March 23, 2025

Imagine if we actually believed our time, talents, and treasures belonged to our neighbor as much as they belonged to us.

  • Pastor Morris Henriquez walked us through Luke 19:11-27, where Jesus tells the parable of a nobleman who entrusts his servants with resources before going away. Some used what they were given wisely and multiplied it, while one buried his out of fear. This parable challenges us to consider how we handle what God has entrusted to us.

    1. Responsibility – Everything We Have Belongs to God

    In Luke 19:13, the nobleman tells his servants, “Occupy till I come.” He expects them to be faithful stewards, actively managing what he has given them.

    Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Nothing we have is truly ours—it all belongs to God. He has entrusted us with time, talents, and resources, expecting us to use them for His purposes.

    💭 Reflection:

    • Am I managing what God has given me wisely?

    • Am I investing my time, skills, and finances in ways that honor Him?

    2. Reward – Faithfulness Leads to Greater Responsibility

    The servants who multiplied their resources in Luke 19:16-19 were rewarded with more responsibility: “Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”

    This shows that when we are faithful in small things, God entrusts us with greater things. Stewardship is not about what we own but about how we manage what belongs to God.

    💭 Reflection:

    • How has God entrusted me with greater opportunities as I have been faithful in small things?

    • What small steps of faithfulness can I take today?

    3. Readiness – Living in Expectation of Christ’s Return

    In Luke 19:20-27, the servant who hid his pound was rebuked for his inaction. He feared losing what he had instead of using it wisely. This parable reminds us that Jesus will return, and we will be accountable for how we stewarded what He has given us.

    Jesus calls us to live in readiness, investing in eternal things rather than holding on to what we have out of fear.

    💭 Reflection:

    • Am I living as if Jesus could return at any moment?

    • How can I be more intentional with what He has entrusted to me?

Group Guide

Start with one prayer at a time. Read the question, then pause—give yourself time to sit with it. Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and any resistance that rises up.

Group Discussion Questions

  1. In Luke 19:13, the nobleman tells his servants to “Occupy till I come.” What has God entrusted to you (time, talents, resources), and how are you managing them?

  2. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” How does truly believing that everything belongs to God change the way you use your finances, time, and possessions?

  3. In Luke 19:16-19, the faithful servants were entrusted with more responsibility. What does faithfulness in the “small things” look like in your daily life? How has God expanded your opportunities because of past faithfulness?

  4. The unfaithful servant in Luke 19:20-27 had his resource taken away because he hid it out of fear instead of using it wisely. Have you ever experienced something being taken away in your life—an opportunity, a position, finances, or relationships? Do you think fear or unfaithful stewardship played a role? How can you take a step of faith this week to trust God and steward what He has given you more faithfully?