Dishonest Manager

CALL TO WORSHIP

Why have we come together? We’ve come to worship God. What can we give to God? All that we say and do; all that we are. What does God want from us? To love as God loves us. How can we show that love? By seeking justice and peace.

HYMN

Seek ye first  (SoF 2 ) 290

GATHERING PRAYER

Holy God, as we meet together, help us to be aware of your presence. Create in us a desire to build your kingdom, so that, as we listen to your word and sing your praises, we will understand how to be your people wherever you have placed us. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Lord, we regret the times we have been unwise or short-sighted, when we have not thought through the impact of our actions. Give us the ability to make adjustments to our lives, to build each other up, and to invest ourselves in ways that are beneficial to all. Help us when we get confused, when things aren’t black and white, when we injure others and ourselves – whether deliberately or accidentally; forgive us, restore us and help us to repair what has been broken. Amen.

God, you turn your face from our wrongdoing, but you do not turn away from us. Every time we come to you, acknowledging our woundedness and folly, you bring us back; you see the person you made us to be and wipe the slate clean again. There is no residue left behind, no mark on our record that you cannot erase. You embrace us unconditionally, and turn our brokenness to beauty. Thank you, all-forgiving God. Restore us to you and to your community. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those that trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever Amen.

HYMN

Collection during Hymn

Blessed be the name (SoF1) 46

READING

Luke 16: 1-13

HYMN

O Jesus I have promised (SoF1) 418

SERMON

Being Decisive for the Kingdom of God: A Sermon on Luke 16:1-13

“No one can serve two masters.”

Introduction

Let me start with a little story.

Imagine we’re sat in the church council meeting, nodding off as someone reads the minutes. It’s been going on far too long. Are we ever going to get home.

Suddenly the fire alarm goes off.

Now at that moment, no one is worried about who left the hymn numbers still up from last week that’s bugged you all the meeting. Or has the teapot been cleaned.

No one is standing up saying “Excuse me chair this wasn’t on the agenda, even though it’s getting hot could we move the fire to any other business?

No one refuses to leave because they don’t like the sound of the bell.

No what happens is we move, we get up. We head for the exit

Because when the alarm sounds, you act.

Today, we turn our attention to a passage from the Gospel of Luke that is as confusing as it is profound: Firstly, we need to note this parable is aimed at Jesus followers so, by this it is also aimed at everyone who follows him, it is a challenge to his first disciples and us. Luke 16:1-13, often called the Parable of the Unjust Steward or the Shrewd Manager. At first glance, it seems an odd lesson—almost troubling as it seems praise of dishonesty. Yet, within these lines, Jesus offers urgent wisdom about life, faith, and above all, the need for decisiveness in our commitment to the Kingdom of God.

The Puzzle of the Parable

At first, we might find this parable unsettling.

The story is simple, if a little unusual in its setting. In most of Jesus’ parables, the protagonist represents God, Christ, or some other positive character. For example, the prodigal son’s clearly points to God as the forgiving Father, the stories of the good shepherd points to Jesus, and the good Samaritan points to someone doing the right thing.

 In this parable all the characters we find are rouges—the steward and the man who he works for are both unsavory characters and we can include the people that are drawn in by allowing the debts to lowered, not good examples. You know the temptation I can do the job for you for cash cheaper, so it doesn't go through the books.

Why does Jesus seem to praise a manager who is, at best, cunning and, at worst, dishonest? But Jesus doesn’t commend his dishonesty; rather, he commends his decisiveness and shrewdness in the face of crisis. The manager knows he is about to lose everything, and in that moment, he acts quickly and decisively to secure his future.

The parable is not a blueprint for business ethics, but a challenge to our spiritual priorities. Jesus is urging his followers to be just as decisive, just as urgent, when it comes to matters of the Kingdom of God as the “children of this world” are about their earthly affairs.

Decisiveness: The Heartbeat of Faith

Consider for a moment—how often in life do we drift, or postpone? We might have good intentions, but hesitation and indecision can keep us from acting on what really matters. The manager in the story is faced with a crisis; he could have panicked, wallowed in self-pity, or tried to ignore the impending reality. Instead, he faces facts, he makes a plan and acts swiftly. In a flash, he plans to change his future.

Jesus is telling us: The Kingdom of God demands such decisiveness. The stakes are higher than any job or financial situation. Eternal things hang in the balance. When we recognise the urgency of God’s call—when we see the preciousness of the time entrusted to us—how will we respond?

The Cost of Indecision

Indecision isn’t neutral; it is itself a decision. When we hesitantly cling to old ways, split our loyalties, or delay our obedience, we risk missing the opportunities God places before us. The Kingdom of God is not for the half-hearted or the lukewarm. Jesus says elsewhere, “No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

How many times have we sensed an urge to forgive, to give, to serve, to speak up for justice, but hesitated until the moment passed? Each time, the door to deeper faith and discipleship creaks closed a little more. The parable’s manager, though flawed, recognises that now is the time to act.

Kingdom Priorities: Whom Will You Serve?

This brings us to one of Jesus’s clearest teachings: “No one can serve two masters.” At the heart of this passage is a summons to a single, decisive action. We cannot serve both God and money, both the Kingdom and our own selfish interests. The world offers many competing loyalties—success, security, status, comfort—but the way of Jesus is a call to choose.

To be decisive for the Kingdom is to clarify our priorities. It means asking: Who will I serve? Where will I invest my time, my energy, my resources? Will I live for temporary gain, or for eternal reward?

Using Earthly Resources for Eternal Purposes

Jesus’s curious commendation of the manager’s shrewdness is, basically, a challenge to use our worldly resources—our wealth, our talents, our opportunities—not for selfish gain, but for Kingdom purposes. “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

What does it mean? It urges us to see everything we have is a gift from God, to be used in ways that reflect his generosity, justice, and love. Our possessions are not ends in themselves, but tools for blessing, for building relationships, for advancing the work of God in the world. Are we decisive in investing our gifts for the Kingdom, or do we let them slip away in the pursuit of comfort and ease?

Practical Steps for Decisive Kingdom Living

How might we build this decisive spirit in daily life? Let’s look at a few practical ideas:

· Examine Your Allegiances: Take time in prayer to ask where your heart’s loyalties truly lie. What desires or fears compete with your devotion to Christ?

· Act on God’s Promptings: When God nudges you—whether to give, to serve, to reconcile, to speak truth—don’t delay. The door may not remain open forever.

· Invest Intentionally: Consider how your resources, relationships, and time could be used for God’s purposes. Set specific goals for generosity, service, or hospitality that reflect your Kingdom values.

· Live with Eternal Perspective: Remember that this world is passing away. Live each day with your eyes fixed on the “eternal dwellings” God prepares.

I remember seeing Fracis Chan giving a talk on that.

He took a rope you know the ones we in school days with a leather end.

He said if you imagine this rope goes on forever, this leather part is your lifetime, so is it not better to prepare for the endless time to come.

Don’t we desire to here “welcome my good and faithful servant” that’s what I desire.

Conclusion

What Jesus is doing is encouraging His followers to be generous with their gifts in this life” This is like Jesus’ teaching on wealth in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus encourages His followers to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21). "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The parable of the shrewd manager compels us to action, not apathy. It calls us to be wise, resourceful, and, above all, decisive in our commitment to God’s Kingdom. The children of this world are shrewd in looking after their interests—how much more should we, as children of light, be in seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness?

We can’t serve two masters. The time to choose is now. Let’s not squander what God has entrusted to us, but act with courage, faith, and decisiveness. For in doing this, we step more fully into the life, joy, and abundance God desires for us and for the world.

Eternity is not a theory; it’s not any other business on an agenda it’s real and it’s coming it a call for decisive faith today.

May the Lord grant us wisdom to discern, boldness to act, and hearts wholly devoted to Christ.

Amen

HYMN

Take my life and let it be (SoF1) 519

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Wise and wonderful maker, thank you for all that you provide. Thank you for the blessings you bring us – big and small. Open our eyes to see all your acts of goodness and to recognise what resources we have. Thank you that, with your help, great things can be achieved and that we can be part of bringing beauty to the world around us. Amen.

In a world where the people of Ukraine live in fear of Russian tanks and bombs; where people in Pakistan have lost their homes and livelihoods because of flooding. Loving Lord, Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak out words of peace and justice.

In our nation where foodbanks are struggling to meet demand; where fuel prices rocket; where parents mourn children stabbed or shot in street crimes or in their own homes. Loving Lord, Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak out words of peace and justice.

In the church where people seek companionship and friendship with those of their own age; where we are challenged to be faithful discipleships; where we are called upon to serve the present age in a relevant and up-to-date way. Loving Lord, Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak out words of peace and justice.

To our new government as they face the challenges of our times, and attempt to govern with equity and compassion. Loving Lord, Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak out words of peace and justice.

In our lives where we are struggling because of health issues, physical or mental; where we are fearful of the cost of living crisis and its effect upon us; where the impact of pressure and stress is often unseen and unnoticed. Loving Lord, Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak out words of peace and justice

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

HYMN

Be thou my vision (SoF1) 42

BLESSING

We want to be the body of Christ, longing to bless the world with love, and transforming society, here and now. Holy Spirit, we offer you all that we are, all that we do. Take us, and our gifts and talents, and help us be signs of your kingdom today. Amen.