FAITHFUL WITH THE LITTLE THINGS

Luke 16:1–9 ESV

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Luke 16:

Why would Jesus make a dishonest person the main character in His Parable?

Jesus is using a bad guy to make a _________ __________.

Jesus’ use of an unrighteous person makes His point to the righteous even more powerful.

What is Jesus teaching us through this parable?

CHILDREN OF LIGHT NEED TO BE MORE ___________.

It is good for Christians to be ___________.

It is good for Christians to be ___________.

Luke 16:8 ESV

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Shrewd sounds like something evil but what does it really mean?

Jesus tells his disciples to be “as shrewd as snakes and an innocent as doves.”

Jesus gives the parable to illustrate His point then give an example of what He mean.

USE UNRIGHTEOUS WEALTH TO GAIN FRIENDS __________.

What does Jesus mean by “unrighteous wealth?”

Luke 16:9 ESV

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Luke 1

What does gaining friends have to do with being recieved into heavenly dwellings?

Is Jesus saying we should “buy” friends? Can money or friends get you into heaven?

Two scriptures help us understand what Jesus means by gaining friends with wealth and being welcomed into eternal dwellings:

Luke 12:22 ESV

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.

Luke 12:22

Luke 12:29–34 ESV

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:

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Using your possession to help others is one way that we use God’s money faithfully.

, - This is exactly what the early church did to help the needy.

Acts 4:34–35 ESV

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

2.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

a. God provides us with what we have to enjoy, but not keep to ourselves but help others. (V17)

b. Those who are rich should be rich in good works as they share what they have. (V18)

c. To parallel Sharing your money and resources is linked to treasures in heaven. (V19)

USING UNRIGHTEOUS WEALTH FOR RIGHTEOUS PURPOSES.

When we help others with our resources true friendships will form. When others see our love for them through acts of service trust is formed as well as opportunities to share the gospel.

Jesus often helped people physically through acts of compassion and also helped them spiritually through teach them truth. ; .

We shine our light through good deeds towards others. ; This can lead them to God and their glorification of Him.

Imagine being welcomed into “heavenly dwellings” by a friend whom you helped in life and taught.

Why is this message so needed today?

Nothing in our lives is outside of the Lordship of Christ.

We we have is really God’s we are only stewards of it therefore we need to use it as God says.

We can’t allow money/possessions come between us and Christ as the rich ruler .

We need to be careful that we are not like the religious leaders who loved money.

Luke 16:10–12 ESV

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

Luke 16:13–14 ESV

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE WRONG ATTITUDE TOWARDS MONEY?

:

Mk 10:17-27

ASK YOURSELF A FEW QUESTIONS:

Do I frequently worry about money?

Do I neglect what really matters to make more money?

Do I spend a great deal of time caring for and keeping up with my possessions?

DO I USE MY MONEY TO HELP OTHERS?

Is giving hard for me to do with a good attitude?

Do I get defensive when I hear lessons about money?