19 Live Generously Now

Remember parable of rich fool – stored up today for future, but tonight his life was required. Then who will get it??? Be rich toward God. Rather, store up treasure in heaven by investing in needy today.

– parable of lost sons, managing wealth, one son squanders, the other son seems stingy and covets, does not use the father’s wealth wisely.

The parables today are especially relevant in context but also especially difficult to understand on their own. context ties the whole chapter together with same theme.

Dishonest Manager – about mismanaging the master’s wealth entrusted to him.

Pharisees scoff at Jesus’ teaching on wealth, He addresses them with story of rich man and Lazarus.

Rich Man and Lazarus.

Both stories are about riches and the right or wrong management of those riches.

– Jesus addresses disciples regarding the faithful stewardship of wealth.

Start with big idea:

Big Idea: Faithful stewardship means living generously now.

The Shrewd, Dishonest Manager

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Jesus continues here from the previous parable and is talking to the disciples.

Luke 16:1 NIV

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.

vv.1-2 Manager squandering master’s possessions = same word as younger son in parable of Lost Son.

vv.1-2 Manager wasting or squandering master’s possessions = same word as younger son in parable of Lost Son.

Squandered – wasting on himself, apparently. Being fired for it.

v.3 Shrewd Manager – wasteful, called to account for his work

physical labor and begging are out of the question.

learned to use master’s wealth to help others and benefit himself in the future. “when it fails”

v.4 Welcome me into their homes = hire him as a servant because of the favors

vv.5-7 scheme - gives discounts to those who owe the master

vv.8-9 Jesus points to this dishonest manager because he shows, even in his corrupt dealing, more cunning to prepare for his future than the “children of light” followers.

Are we being encouraged to rip off our bosses?

Luke 16:9 NIV

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Review v.9 purpose of the parable: watch for this concept in the next parable.

vv.10-13 summary of principles: faithful in little, faithful in much.

Not faithful with worldly wealth, not trusted with true riches – Kingdom riches.

Not trustworthy with others’ property, will not receive.

Trustworthy, responsible, faithful. All internal heart attitudes coming out as behaviors.

Ephesians 5:15–17 NIV

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Serving two masters. Serving money = gathering and squandering wealth.

make most of every opportunity

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Serving God is assuming a very different concept of stewardship.

Serving two masters. Serving money = gathering and squandering wealth. Serving God is assuming a very different concept of stewardship.

Serving God is assuming a very different concept of stewardship.

Jesus addressed the disciples, obviously the Pharisees were there too:

Coveting Wealth

Pharisees scoff at Jesus’ teaching on wealth, He addresses them and then gives the example in the story of rich man and Lazarus.

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v.14 Pharisees love money

Pharisees believed wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, just as many today have that view.

(Indonesian cargo cult mentality – check the obedience boxes and receive treasures untold)

Luke 16:15 NIV

He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

v.15 Justify = Wealth was their own to spend on themselves, hide their sin.

This was Jesus exposing the Pharisees who serve money and offend God.

v.16 Law and prophets = Moses and prophets. Old Testament

Change with John to gospel message. Kingdom is near

People, like the shrewd servant and the Pharisees are trying to justify their actions.

Jesus is showing transition here: from living the letter of the law – like divorce, to living the spirit of the law – Love God, Love others. Example of divorce and adultery.

Not under law, but law fulfilled. Living is now based on love.

Directly into story of rich man and Lazarus as an example of the result of coveting wealth, not loving others.

Rich Man, Poor Man

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Jesus ties v.9 into the story of rich man and Lazarus – when worldly wealth is gone/fails received into eternal dwellings.

v.9 and the Pharisees love of wealth and the law of love

vv. 19-21 name Lazarus means “God has helped” probably does not refer to Mary and Martha’s brother, but rising from the dead could also be a connection. More likely a reference to Jesus coming back from the dead and people still not believing.

Disparity – extravagant wealth and luxury, utter poverty. Feasting sumptuously vs. nothing to eat, wounds licked by dogs

Rich man has all he needs. Poor man has nothing. Appears to not receive even the waste from the rich man’s table.

Again, wasteful living when someone right outside is in need. In the end, the tables are turned.

Luke 16:22 NIV

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

vv.22 At death, their positions are reversed. Based on heart, not just action.

Poor man carried to Abraham’s side = honored position, heaven.

Rich man died and was buried.

v.23 Rich man suffers, poor man receives good. Now he knows what Lazarus faced in life.

v.24 Rich man wants poor man to serve him, and to go warn his family.

vv. 25-26 The results after life are fixed. Uncrossable space between heaven’s bliss and the grave’s torture.

v.27-28 send Lazarus to my brothers – still showing concern for himself and his own.

Luke 16:29 NIV

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

v. 29-30 Moses and prophets – OT, Scripture. Already have what we need to live as we should.

v.31 even if someone rises from the dead – Lazarus will not convince, Jesus not convincing to those who would go their own way.

Paul teaches the same principles in his letter to the Ephesians

Ephesiand 5:8

Ephesians 5:8 NIV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Ephesians 5:15–17 NIV

make most of every opportunity

Conclusion

Our lives in the present matter and we have all we need from past testimony (Moses and prophets = Scripture, and now our current form of testimony) to know how to live our lives.

We believe or we don't. We live it out or we don't. Kingdom living means generosity, good stewardship, selfless living, today.

During this brief life, we have the opportunity to use wealth to make friends for God, friends who will meet us in heaven! Warren W. Wiersbe

“What you do in life matters, it echoes across the generations and into eternity.”

Big Idea: Faithful stewardship means living generously now.

Faithful stewardship means living generously now.

The meaning of life is not to live the American Dream – gain wealth and toys and status and power. Sometimes God gives us those things. Sometimes He doesn’t.

Wealth is not a reward and poverty is not a punishment.

The purpose of life is to glorify God in whatever situation He gives us. To live generously now.

Invest in the Kingdom – invest in others. Not just money and wealth. Time. Talent. Resources. Love.

What About You?

None of us feels like we have extravagance or luxury. None of us feels overly wealthy. Some of us may even feel rather poor.

The amount of what we have or do not have is not relevant. How are we using what God gives us to use?

As individuals and families - give. look for needs. offer help.

Collecting toys or blessing others in need?

As the family of Mt. Rock Church – beautiful facility given by God. Will we use it for our own purposes, or invest in the community around us?