Good Lesson from a Bad Example

Introduction (அறிமுகம்)

Jesus told a surprising parable in Luke 16 about a steward who was about to be fired for wasting his master's goods. Instead of giving up, the steward acted quickly and shrewdly to prepare for his future. The master commended him -- not for dishonesty, but for his urgency and foresight.

The question Jesus raises is this: if an unjust steward acts with such urgency about his earthly future, how much more should we act with urgency about eternity?

We Must Give an Account (நாம் கணக்கு ஒப்புவிக்க வேண்டும்)

"Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward." — Luke 16:2 (NKJV)

"உன் உக்கிராணக் கணக்கையொப்புவி, இனி நீ உக்கிராணக்காரனாயிருக்கக்கூடாது." — லூக்கா 16:2 (TAOVBSI)

The master did not dismiss immediately -- he gave the steward a chance to explain. But the steward had no defence -- he knew he was guilty.

"So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." — Romans 14:12 (NKJV)

"ஆதலால் நம்மில் ஒவ்வொருவனும் தன்னைக்குறித்து தேவனுக்குக் கணக்கொப்புவிப்பான்." — ரோமர் 14:12 (TAOVBSI)

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." — 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV)

"சரீரத்தில் அவனவன் செய்த நன்மைக்காவது தீமைக்காவது தக்க பலனை அடையும்படிக்கு, நாமெல்லாரும் கிறிஸ்துவின் நியாயாசனத்திற்கு முன்பாக வெளிப்படவேண்டும்." — 2 கொரிந்தியர் 5:10 (TAOVBSI)

One day, each of us will give an account before God. Do not assume God is casual about accountability.

Shrewdness in the Present, Thinking of the Future (நிகழ்காலத்தில் விவேகம், எதிர்காலத்தைப் பற்றிய சிந்தனை)

The steward acted quickly to prepare for what was ahead. He used present resources to influence his future. The master commended him for shrewdness, not dishonesty.

A steward owns nothing. Everything we have -- money, time, talents -- belongs to God.

"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." — Psalm 24:1 (NKJV)

"Make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home." — Luke 16:9 (NKJV)

Be wise with temporary resources. Money is temporary, but what you do with it has eternal consequences.

True Riches Are More Than Money (உண்மையான செல்வம் பணத்தை விட அதிகம்)

"If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" — Luke 16:11 (NKJV)

Eternal treasures include giving time, energy, love, compassion, and spiritual gifts (Matthew 25:14-30). God is testing us with little things -- money, daily choices -- before entrusting us with spiritual authority and eternal reward.

Application (செயல்படுத்துதல்)

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much... No servant can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and mammon." — Luke 16:10, 13 (NKJV)

• The steward acted urgently, knowing his time was short. How much more should we?
• Are we using what God gave us -- money, time, gifts, influence -- to prepare for eternity? Or are we wasting it?
• Be faithful in the small things today, and God will entrust you with greater things.