And that man of sin be revealed. He shall be revealed then in connection with apostasy [.A falling away--rather as Greek, "the falling away," or "apostasy," namely, one of which "I told you" before (2Th 2:5), "when I was yet with you," and of which Lord gave some intimation ( hint, indication, warning ) (Mat 24:10-12; John 5:43).] Isa 57:4. The man of sin has been thought to refer to Caligula, Titus, Simon Magus, Nero, Pope of Rome, Luther, Hitler, Stalin, Mahomet, etc. An apostasy must precede Coming. That is, there shall be a general falling away from purity of faith. As today, many churches are recognizing Homosexuals as Christians, sending (child molester priest) to nonextriditing countries to prevent prosecution, teaching conversion (Being Born into a Religion without being Reborn) [John 3:3, 3:7. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see kingdom of God.] and replacing rebirth, turning to nature to heal, ordaining gays as ministers, adding man made doctrine into Bible, Adding other books and chapters, written by man, to Gods word, teaching that Jesus didn’t suffer on Cross, denighing Christ Deity, ect. No apostasy of magnitude occurred in history of church for centuries, which could answer to Paul’s description, but gradual declension, corruption, and departure from ancient faith, has came full circle in today’s society. Those who are lost here today, can you see pattern in today’s society, a turning away from decency and righteousness? The political turmoil, religious indifference and lack of morals in government and in our schools. The turning away from decency and God and turning to dependency in government and pornography. How many movies can you name that are decent enough for our children to watch? When some courts protect rights of antichristian religions to teach their belief in schools and Bible believing church loses every effort to teach Jesus, there is something wrong. There is coming a falling away, and it has already started. There is a famine in land for true believer in God and His word; many are seeking a Bible believing church that is strong in principle and in doctrine to feed them word. Many ignore prophecy but prophecy is an intracal part of churches existence. A prophecy teaching church is a strong church; it’s an alert church, a church that Jesus will not find sleeping and a church that will draw many. Is Christianity losing America? This is something that you must answer for yourself; you have facts, now its time to make a decision.

Luke 16:3 Then steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord takes away from me stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

Luke 16:8 And lord commended unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for children of this world are in their generation wiser than children of light.

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

In all 8 uses of word "Steward" given in New Testament, meaning of word is "Care Taker" of something. It is indicated as this person's secular job. The only verse in which a steward is stated in a doctrine concerning Church of Jesus Christ is in Titus 1:7, where Bishop is described as one who posses these traits, please note that one of those traits is, "not given to filthy lucre;" (as described in "The Investing Christian" article). Most of scriptures above were part of a parable, where Jesus was teaching a principle of our faith, but "items" described in those parables were not point, we will discuss this further later in this article.

There are three appearances of word "stewardship" in New Testament, and they are found in following versus, 2 of them were above...

Luke 16:2-4 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou may be no longer steward. Then steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord takes away from me stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 

Brothers and Sisters, "Stewardship", as a doctrine from God that orders us to grow our money, make it increase, and spend our lives, and we might add a HUGE portion of our time, dedication, and strength doing, is not in line with things that Jesus taught us about a life that is pleasing to him. These scriptures do in fact teach a "principle" of faithfulness, but when taken in context of ALL of Jesus' other teachings, they can not possibly be intended to refer to our constantly increasing wealth, especially when Jesus spent a very significant portion of his time condemning riches. Some would then ask "Then, what is meant by this scripture"...

Matthew 25: 14-28 For kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received five talents went and traded with same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and dug in earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time lord of those servants cometh, and reckoned with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into joy of thy lord. Then he which had received one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed: Thou aught therefore to have put my money to exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents...

We would contend, that like other scripture verses that we have discussed here, Jesus is teaching principle of faithfulness in this Parable. Often times in Parables of Jesus, examples given are used to teach a principle, not give a teaching on exact items in parable. When taken in context of Jesus' teaching one would need to say that Jesus contradicted himself, if he was teaching here about how we need to expand our wealth, since he utterly condemned wealth everywhere he went. Would Jesus teach in one city that riches are evil, and of devil, and in another city, that you must make your money grow and grow faithfully? We think not. All of Jesus' parables used earthly things to illustrate his point. This parable is no exception to that rule. The parable is not about money. Here are a few examples of what we are saying...

PLease join us in a discussion on Christian's relationship to money and wealth, and resulting consequences of living for wealth. See full Article here...

"The Blessings Of God"

or "The Graphics enhanced version"

Writer for 11th Hour Ministries