The Dishonest Manager
Notes
Transcript
Today we look at a difficult passage. At first is seems as though Jesus is condoning the unrighteous actions of the shrewd manager. But as we look on, we see that it is nothing of the sort. That this is a parable from a third person view done in a way to show the Pharisees their own sin.
Read
Who Do You Serve?
Who Do You Serve?
v.13
The pharisees were shrewd with how they judged, just like the unjust manager.
They were diligent to point out the sin of some. But would turn a blind eye to those with money when they did things such as divorce.
Because of this they were stuck in the middle, trying to look like they served God, but serving money.
You cannot serve God and money.
Does this mean that money is evil and to be avoided?
20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
This is to say that a wise man saves, and stores up. A foolish man spends all he has.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
God calls us to work hard, when we work hard their is profit. But standing around doing nothing ends in poverty.
Proverbs 8:18 is speaking of wisdom
18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
If we are wise, we have riches and honor, enduring wealth.
Is Jesus saying that money is evil and to be shunned? NO
This is to say that you cannot have a mindset that is devoted to only pursuing wealth. Then you are a slave to money.
A test to see if you are a slave to money.
How you use your money? Is it to acquire as many things as you can for yourself, or is it a tool that God has blessed you with to bless others? We shouldn’t be focused on just acquiring wealth for the sake of security, or having wealth. Then your wealth is an idol.
I like Dave Ramsey’s view. Live like no one else (saving), so you can live like no one else (have wealth), and give like no one else (the point of money is to be a tool used for God’s glory).
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 help us keep this in perspective.
17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’
18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Remember that it is God who blesses us with wealth and gives us the ability to work and acquire wealth.
Is your money something that gives you security and you must acquire more? Or is it a gift of God to be used for His glory.
What Has God Placed in Your Care?
What Has God Placed in Your Care?
v.10-12
The things in our care are placed in two categories, Physical and Spiritual.
Physical
Physical
Material items, your vehicle, your house, a place to rent.
Your job
Your family that you have.
Your financial means.
How has God blessed you?
Yes we should be working for these things but don’t forget that God is the one who blesses us.
James 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Every good gift comes from God, this means that all the things that we work hard for. God has given us the ability, set up the opportunity for you to obtain all those things.
How are you taking care of the blessings that God has given you?
Analogy with the lottery.
Spiritual
Spiritual
Do you want to make an impact for Christ?
What are you doing with what God has put you in charge of?
It starts small, then it gets larger.
Are you doing your devotions?
What about with your family?
Co-workers or people you come into contact with regularly. Are you witnessing to them?
Telling them what you read, or what God is doing.
Bad Example
Bad Example
v.8
He was commended for trying to get a job after he was fired, however Jesus wasn’t saying that he was righteous in his actions.
The people in this world will try to get ahead by being dishonest, or shrewd.
The sons of light, should not be this way.
We should be honest, kind, honorable, go the extra mile to help other. Not shrewd.
v.15
The pharisees were acting this way, however what the master might have commended the manager for, “among men.” This is an abomination in the sight of God.
Just because people praise your name, doesn’t mean you are doing what is right in the eyes of God.
We must examine our lives against scripture.
We must make sure that whatever God has placed us in charge of, we are dealing with it God’s way.
The Law isn’t Void
The Law isn’t Void
v.16-17
Justifying Sin
Justifying Sin
The Pharisees for the sake of money or looking good in the eyes of others would compromise on what is written in the law.
They were doing this with divorce where for virtually no reason the pharisees were allowing divorce which isn’t God’s best and shouldn’t be entered into lightly.
Today we still see that same thing happening, except now it’s with homosexuality.
Where leaders in the church are justifying sin because they don’t want to be viewed as “hateful” in the eyes of this generation.
We need to be kind and loving towards sinners, but we cannot say that sin isn’t a big deal, we must call them to repentance.
Zeal Replaces Obedience
Zeal Replaces Obedience
v.16
People are excited about the kingdom, excited about what God is doing.
Biazo- To overpower or to rush into. The idea being that it is something done under your own power or grasped in your strength.
People get excited about Jesus, exited about the gospel. But then they believe that they can enter their own way.
They believe that they love Jesus, and don’t need to know his commandments or obey them.
But here, Jesus is saying that His commandments won’t pass away. This means that they are still in effect.
John 14:15
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
There are “Christians” today who believe that their passion and love for God, overrules the necessity of obedience to Him!!
Jesus is saying we cannot love Him if we don’t obey Him.
We need to have a passion for Jesus, but that passion doesn’t nullify God’s commands, it should cause us to desire to follow them even more.
The Good News
The Good News
Our kingdom isn’t of this world. We don’t need to be shrewd in our business dealings here to please our king, in fact that is counter to what God desires.
We don’t need, and shouldn’t be looking for the acceptance of man, only God.
The news of the kingdom, should put a drive and a zeal in us. Our God is Alive! Our God is Working! Our God has called you to serve and glorify Him!