Choosing God: Trust, Priorities, and Daily Decisions

God is always at work, even when we can’t see it, and He cares deeply about every situation we face. No matter what we’re going through, He is making a way, and His goodness is unchanging. Life often presents us with choices that reveal our true priorities, and these moments are opportunities to build our lives on the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ. When we trust in Jesus, our lives find strength and purpose, because our trust is rooted in His character—He is good, He loves us, and He desires good things for us.

Reflecting on the parable of the shrewd manager, it’s clear that Jesus often uses unexpected stories to teach profound truths. The heart of the parable is not about condoning dishonesty, but about prompting us to examine who or what we truly serve. Jesus’ question, “Who will you serve—God or money?” is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. Our priorities are revealed in how we use our time, talents, and treasure. The way we spend these resources shows whether God is truly first in our lives.

Jesus calls us to make intentional choices, especially with our finances. Giving, or tithing, is not just about money—it’s about trust. When we give to God first, we declare that He is our foundation and provider. This act of faith is a spiritual discipline that shapes our hearts and aligns our priorities with God’s kingdom. Even when it doesn’t make sense on paper, God is faithful to provide when we trust Him with our resources.

Every day, we are faced with decisions—big and small—that test our priorities. In these moments, we are invited to ask, “Jesus, what would you have me do?” By seeking His wisdom and hiding His Word in our hearts, we are equipped to make choices that honor Him. As we continue to choose Jesus as our foundation, we experience His goodness, love, and care in deeper ways. This week, let’s be intentional in choosing God first in our time, talents, and treasure, trusting that He will work all things for our good.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Unchanging Goodness and Presence No matter what storms or challenges we face, God’s character remains steadfast. He doesn’t promise to remove every difficulty, but He assures us of His presence and that He will bring good out of every situation for those who love Him. Trusting in His goodness gives us hope and strength to persevere. [27:08]
• 2. Our Priorities Are Revealed by Our Choices The decisions we make—especially in moments of pressure or uncertainty—expose what we value most. Whether it’s time, talents, or treasure, our actions show who or what is truly first in our lives. Jesus’ call to choose between serving God or money is a daily invitation to examine and realign our priorities. [34:42]
• 3. Giving Is an Act of Trust, Not Just Obedience Tithing and generosity are not merely religious duties, but profound acts of trust in God’s provision. When we give to God first, we acknowledge that everything we have is from Him, and we place our security in His hands rather than our own resources. This discipline shapes our hearts and deepens our faith. [45:14]
• 4. Intentional Planning Reflects Spiritual Wisdom Without a plan, our resources—like time and money—can easily be misused or wasted. Prioritizing God in our planning, especially financially, ensures that our lives are aligned with His purposes. Having a plan to give, serve, and steward what God has given us is a practical expression of putting Him first. [41:50]
• 5. Daily Choices Build an Unshakable Foundation Every decision, no matter how small, is an opportunity to choose Jesus as our foundation. By seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and hiding God’s Word in our hearts, we are equipped to make wise choices that honor Him. Over time, these daily acts of faith build a life that is secure, purposeful, and marked by God’s goodness.
  
  ** [49:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - God’s Unfailing Work and Care
• [02:30] - A Story of Priorities: The Wedding MC
• [05:40] - Choices That Reveal Our Foundation
• [08:15] - The Unshakable Foundation of Jesus
• [12:00] - Understanding the Parable of the Shrewd Manager
• [16:30] - Context and Cultural Background
• [20:10] - Who Will You Serve: God or Money?
• [24:00] - The Disciples’ Coming Choices
• [27:08] - Jesus’ Character: Goodness and Love
• [33:27] - Preparing for Difficult Choices
• [35:50] - Interpreting the Manager’s Actions
• [39:48] - The Importance of Having a Plan
• [41:50] - Prioritizing God in Our Finances
• [45:14] - Giving as Trust and Worship
• [49:36] - Daily Choices and Hiding God’s Word
• [55:14] - Prayer for Comfort and Provision
• [57:05] - Generosity and Community Impact
• [58:47] - Announcements and Benediction

Small Group Bible Study Guide

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Bible Reading

Luke 16:1-13 (ESV) – The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

> 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. 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? 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.”

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

> And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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Observation Questions

1. In the parable of the shrewd manager, what actions did the manager take after he learned he was losing his job? What was the master’s surprising response? (Luke 16:1-8)
2. According to the sermon, what question does Jesus ask at the end of the parable, and why is it important for us today? [34:42]
3. What does Romans 8:28 promise about God’s involvement in the lives of those who love Him?
4. The sermon mentioned three areas—time, talents, and treasure—that reveal our priorities. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this? [35:50]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus used a story about a dishonest manager to teach about priorities and trust? What deeper truth was He trying to communicate? [28:43]
2. The pastor said that giving (tithing) is more about trust than about money. How does giving reveal where our trust is placed? [45:14]
3. How does the way we use our time, talents, and treasure show who or what we truly serve? [35:50]
4. Romans 8:28 says God works all things for good for those who love Him. How might this truth help someone facing a difficult or uncertain situation? [27:08]

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to ask, “Jesus, what would you have me do?” before making decisions. Can you think of a recent decision where you did—or didn’t—ask Jesus for guidance? What was the result? [49:36]
2. When you look at your own use of time, talents, and treasure, what does it reveal about your current priorities? Is there an area where you feel God is inviting you to make a change? [35:50]
3. The pastor shared a story about his friend Cameron choosing to help at camp instead of being the wedding MC. Have you ever had to make a choice that revealed your priorities? What did you learn from that experience? [08:15]
4. The sermon encouraged having a plan for giving and putting God first in our finances. Do you currently have a plan for generosity? If not, what is one step you could take this week to start? [41:50]
5. The pastor mentioned that giving, even when it doesn’t make sense on paper, is an act of faith. Have you ever experienced God’s provision after choosing to give or serve sacrificially? What happened? [47:12]
6. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts was described as vital for making wise choices. What is one practical way you can memorize or meditate on Scripture this week to help guide your decisions? [49:36]
7. The sermon said God’s goodness is unchanging, even in storms. Is there a current challenge where you need to trust God’s goodness? How can the group pray for you in this area? [27:08]

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