Luke 16:1-13 | Stewards of God's Things
Blair Robinson | December 29, 2024
Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
Main Idea. How we manage our resources reveals our true devotion to Christ and eternal perspective. Question. What can we learn from the manager's foresight and shrewdness, despite his dishonesty? Jesus teaches 3 lessons to his disciples. Lesson 1: Use Worldly Wealth with Eternal Perspective (8b–9). Applications. Invest in the Kingdom of God and make friends. Lesson 2: Faithfulness in Little Things Matters (10–12). Questions. In what "small" areas of your life can you demonstrate greater faithfulness? Do you desire to be entrusted with the truer things? Lesson 3: You Cannot Serve Two Masters (13). A.W. Pink: These orders [love for God and love for money] are diametrically opposed. The one commands you to walk by faith; the other to walk by sight. The one to be humble; the other to be proud. The one to set your affections on things above; the other to set them on the things that are on the earth. The one to look at the things unseen and eternal; the other to look at the things seen and temporal. The one to have your conversation in heaven; the other to cleave to the dust. The one to be careful for nothing; the other to be full of anxiety. The one to be content with such things as you have; the other to enlarge your desires. The one to be ready to distribute; the other to withhold. The one to look at the things of others; the other to look at one’s own things. The one to seek happiness in the Creator; the other to seek happiness in the creature. Is it not plain? There is no serving two such masters. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.17 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. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 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. (1 Tim 6:10, 17–19). Applications. Seek contentment in Christ. Do your financial decisions reflect devotion to God or to wealth? Gospel-Takeaways. 1. Perfected by Christ, the Perfect Steward. 2. Empowered by Grace for Faithful Service 3. Motivated by the “Truer” things. Responses. Do not think that your stewardship or shrewdness purchase God’s favor and remove your sins. Do not ignore the principal teaching that Jesus is giving us. Move quickly, like the dishonest manager did. Pray for grace and wisdom to use God's gifts more effectively.