Have you ever wondered why Jesus told the Parable of the Unjust Steward? Christians are stewards; and many are like the character depicted in the story! They are dishonest and need to be held accountable for their stewardship.

What motivated this unjust steward? He had to make a decision - serve God faithfully or be a slave to materialism. The problem with many Christians- especially those who give God a tip- can be summed up as greed.Most greedy individuals suffer from selfishness. They exalt themselves. Now,Christians know who wanted to exalt himself and be like the Most High God. Lucifer rebelled against God through pride and God expelled him from heaven along with the rebel angels. Yes, a fight ensued; but Michael defeated him and he fell to earth with demons.

Before anyone can understand stewardship and accountability, the concept of a steward must be crystal clear. Many students fail in school because they are not accountable, diligent, trustworthy in all areas.Preferring one subject over the others and spending more time with it at the expense of the others indicates poor management. Stewardship tests your managerial skills. How responsible are you? How much has been entrusted to you? Can you handle a heavier load? Adam, left in charge of the territory Garden of Eden, failed the test because he believed what his wife said without questioning her.Holy Scriptures say that Adam sinned but not because of ignorance or deception. He knew the immutable Word of God. But he did not obey everything. To know what is right and fail to do it is sin.

Man dominates time. God says to work six days and rest on the seventh. The modern world says resting was designed for a certain group not all mankind. What does man do? The week hinges on activities. Human beings believe they must wind up then slowly wind down.The lifespan used to be called a 'ripe old age'.Nowadays, because people do not want to 'rust out' they 'burn out'! Heart attacks and other diseases claim victims daily. Instead of finding the time to take a refreshing walk in nature and inhale fresh, clean air, countless individuals purchase air at the hospital! Obey what feels right for you,then. God provides the manual. He is the Manufacturer. So you do not want to obey His instructions.It is your time- 24 hours in a day, seven days in a week. God has entrusted you with time; and if you have an employer, he/she trusts you too. Do you know that many people plan for their vacation and their retirement; and it never happens! It eludes them. Whoever said time is a thief knows that it is fleeting and elusive. But, thief or not, stewards have to account for time; and everyone is a steward.

Jesus told a story about a master who distributed talents.Each servant received a specific amount and was instructed to use it profitably. Today, some people are not simply talented. They are gifted and talented. One time I gave my niece Ashley paints to keep her busy. As i watched her working hard with the paints, I told her to give her art work some tone and texture.What does a three year old know and understand about tone and texture? Nevertheless, Ashley followed my instructions.Had she asked me to explain the concept of tone and texture, it would have stumped me.When my two brothers and Dad, all artists. saw and judged the work, they recognized that Ashley had a talent for art and possibly a gift too.What she has done with it to this point is unknown.But, she is accountable whether or not she uses her art skills.

Even 'so-called retarded' children are accountable. One summer I worked with the children in my neighbourhood and encountered some 'slow learners'. An eight year old is expected to know how to count at least to ten. But this child had difficulty. However, he liked guineps; and our tree had the sweetest, juiciest ones in the area. I told him he could have guineps but only the ones he could count! He proved to be a lightning fast learner.I worked with him even after the summer ended. One day he came to me so excited I had to stop everything. He told me that he could spell encyclopedia.I knew students and adults who had no learning problems who would be challenged by that word. I tested him with twenty words including encyclopedia. He scored fourteen correct! I felt so proud that I encouraged him to set new goals. He could get as much jujus [jujube] as he wanted; and I offered to provide the material for a kite. God does exceedingly better than my feeble motivational efforts!I know.

The body is the temple for the King of Kings. Yes, you can eat beetles,scorpions, rats,camels, vultures if you choose.That is your body.You can tattoo it and test its endurance. But, you are accountable! As editor and writer for a newsletter, i spent many hours in the Holy Spirit's classroom. My appetite for physical food diminished as I researched the Bible and concordance. One day I received these words as a song that I still sing but have not found on the keyboard yet.

My body is the sanctuary for the King of Kings;

My body is the sanctuary for the King of King.

i will walk right, talk right

His praises i shall sing.

My body is the sanctuary for the King of Kings.

Whether I eat or drink,

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Let all the thoughts I think

Praise Him!

Isn't this what the Word of God says? Stewards- and that includes me- you are accountable for the deeds done in your body.

The toughest area of stewardship deals with money. Even in Jesus' day, people liked money more than God. Jesus told about the rich young man who loved God and kept the commandments;but he lacked something. Money served as his god. God said that nothing should come between His relationship with his children.Have no other god as priority because He is the Supreme God, the Creator, the owner of heaven and earth. He is the one who gives people the power to attain wealth.Some people will declare that God does not need their money. He is in heaven and have golden streets, walls of jasper. God owns all the beast of the field and the cattle on a thousand hills.Of course He does not need your money. A fish provided the tax money for Peter and Him. But, He can use it in His kingdom.

Do you know that Abraham, the Father of the Faithful returned a tithe to the King of Salem. One exciting fact about this king is that he had no beginning and no end,Would you identify that king as Alpha and Omega?The tithe was for the priest- the Levites who ministered before God. Shouldn't those who preach the gospel be supported by it? Of course, they need money! How is the work of God supported? Yes, Jesus talked about those who returned a tithe but neglected the priorities.Yes some pastors misappropriate funds meant for the work of God.But, that is not your concern. God has a scale; and the deeds of everyone will be weighed.Each person is accountable.

During the 2005 hurricane season, our seagrape trees were loaded, some bunches eighteen to twenty two inches. I photographed them after measuring them. My brother said the tree was bearing 'for sign' and the hurricane season would be active. The winds, he said , would wipe the tree clean! Really? Not my seagrape trees! i went outside and spoke Malachi 3:10,11 aloud. Well, 2005 was the year that the hurricanes' names included the Greek alphabet! Yes the season was memorable; but we got seagrapes until late October/ early November. We harvested ripe grapes in the morning, midafternoon and late evening.They were the sweetest seagrapes that my family, friends and I have ever tasted! The tree in my parents front yard was juicy; and the one in my backyard was meaty.Even the ants could not resist them! When God promises to bless, He exceeds human expectations. Paul describes it as 'exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask, all that we can think according to the power at work within'.

What do you call that inner power? It is faith! One lyricist wrote:" It takes faith to step out on nothing and believe that something is there." Faith was the problem with Adam and Eve back in Eden. Whose report will you believe? I believe the report of the Lord!God told me that when I trust Him My bread is certain and my water is sure. I have tried God, tested and trusted Him. Giving Him ten percent leaves me with whole ninety percent plus the overflowing blessing He has promised when the windows of heaven are opened to me! I know I am blessed; and all of my blessings are not from money! I have shelter,clothing and health.Most of all, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.Through the forty one years we have been together, I have learned much wisdom. As a steward, why should I put my money in bags with holes when the Master has provided secure ones? Stewardship is a matter of trust. Can God trust you? Or, are you like the unjust steward? Choose now if you will serve God or materialism.