Faithful Management: Trusting God with Our Resources

Devotional

Day 1: We Are Managers, Not Owners

Understanding that everything we have is from God changes our perspective on wealth and possessions. We are called to manage these resources for God's glory and the good of others, not for selfish gain. This mindset shift helps us align our actions with God's will. Recognizing that we are stewards rather than owners encourages us to use our resources responsibly and generously. It reminds us that our ultimate accountability is to God, who has entrusted us with these gifts. This perspective can transform how we handle our finances, time, and talents, leading us to live more purposefully and selflessly. [09:50]

1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."

Reflection: How can you shift your mindset from being an owner to a manager of the resources God has given you? What practical steps can you take today to manage these resources for God's glory and the good of others?

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Day 2: Shrewdness in God's Kingdom

The parable of the dishonest manager teaches us to be clever and wise in how we use our resources. Jesus commends the manager for his shrewdness, not his dishonesty, urging us to use our worldly wealth to secure eternal benefits and to help others. This parable challenges us to think strategically about our resources, ensuring that our actions reflect godly wisdom and foresight. By being shrewd in a godly manner, we can make a significant impact for God's kingdom, using our resources to support ministries, help those in need, and spread the gospel. [15:49]

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."

Reflection: In what ways can you use your resources more shrewdly for God's kingdom? Consider a specific area where you can apply godly wisdom to make a lasting impact.

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Day 3: Trust in God, Not Wealth

The concept of "mammon" highlights the danger of placing our trust in money. Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and money, emphasizing the importance of trusting God as our ultimate provider and security. When we place our trust in wealth, we risk becoming enslaved to it, allowing it to dictate our decisions and priorities. Trusting in God, on the other hand, frees us from the anxiety and pressure that often accompany financial concerns. It allows us to live with confidence, knowing that God will provide for our needs and guide us in using our resources wisely. [20:21]

Matthew 6:24 (ESV): "No one 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."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are placing your trust in money rather than in God? How can you begin to shift your trust to God today?

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Day 4: Generosity Reflects Our Trust

True generosity is not about the amount we give but the condition of our hearts. Whether we have much or little, our willingness to share reflects our trust in God and our commitment to His values. The story of the Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company exemplifies this principle, showing how the owners chose to manage their wealth for God's purposes rather than their own. Generosity is a tangible expression of our faith, demonstrating that we believe God will provide for us as we provide for others. It also allows us to participate in God's work, supporting ministries and helping those in need. [22:26]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: How does your current level of generosity reflect your trust in God? What steps can you take to become more generous with your resources?

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Day 5: Love People, Use Money

Jesus calls us to love people and use money, not the other way around. Our management of resources should prioritize relationships and God's kingdom, demonstrating that our hearts are ruled by God, not by wealth. This principle challenges us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that our financial decisions reflect our love for others and our commitment to God's purposes. By loving people and using money wisely, we can build meaningful relationships, support those in need, and contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom. [24:42]

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."

Reflection: How can you ensure that your financial decisions prioritize loving people and advancing God's kingdom? Identify one specific way you can use your money to demonstrate love for others today.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that we are not owners but managers of everything God has given us. This understanding fundamentally changes how we view and use our worldly wealth. We began by revisiting the parable of the two lost sons from Luke 15, which illustrates God's immense love and mercy. This sets the stage for Luke 16, where Jesus continues his conversation, now focusing on money and possessions. Jesus teaches that our management of God's resources should reflect our trust in Him and demonstrate godly wisdom.

The parable of the dishonest manager serves as a central illustration. The manager, accused of wasting his master's possessions, faces a crisis that forces him to think shrewdly about his future. Jesus commends the manager not for his dishonesty but for his cleverness in securing his future. This parable challenges us to use our worldly wealth wisely, not for selfish gain but for God's glory and the good of others. Jesus emphasizes that our use of money should be a testimony of our trust in God, not in wealth.

We also discussed the concept of "mammon," which refers to what we put our trust in, often money. Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and money, highlighting the importance of where we place our trust. The story of the Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company exemplifies this principle, showing how the owners chose to manage their wealth for God's purposes rather than their own.

Ultimately, Jesus calls us to love people and use money, not the other way around. Our generosity and management of resources should reflect God's values and our trust in Him. The message concludes with a reminder that everything we have is from God, and we are called to be faithful managers of His gifts.

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Key Takeaways

1. We Are Managers, Not Owners: Understanding that everything we have is from God changes our perspective on wealth and possessions. We are called to manage these resources for God's glory and the good of others, not for selfish gain. This mindset shift helps us align our actions with God's will. [09:50]
2. Shrewdness in God's Kingdom: The parable of the dishonest manager teaches us to be clever and wise in how we use our resources. Jesus commends the manager for his shrewdness, not his dishonesty, urging us to use our worldly wealth to secure eternal benefits and to help others. [15:49]
3. Trust in God, Not Wealth: The concept of "mammon" highlights the danger of placing our trust in money. Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and money, emphasizing the importance of trusting God as our ultimate provider and security. [20:21]
4. Generosity Reflects Our Trust: True generosity is not about the amount we give but the condition of our hearts. Whether we have much or little, our willingness to share reflects our trust in God and our commitment to His values. The story of the Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company exemplifies this principle. [22:26]
5. Love People, Use Money: Jesus calls us to love people and use money, not the other way around. Our management of resources should prioritize relationships and God's kingdom, demonstrating that our hearts are ruled by God, not by wealth. [24:42]
### [24:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:25] - Revisiting the Parable of the Two Lost Sons
[07:35] - Jesus' Teaching on Money and Possessions
[09:50] - We Are Managers, Not Owners
[11:42] - The Crisis of the Dishonest Manager
[13:21] - Thinking About the Future
[14:53] - The Manager's Shrewdness
[17:15] - Using Worldly Wealth for God's Glory
[18:56] - Trustworthiness with Little and Much
[20:21] - The Concept of Mammon
[22:26] - The Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company Example
[24:42] - Love People, Use Money
[25:45] - The Ultimate Testing Ground
[26:44] - Everything We Have is from God
[28:33] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable of the dishonest manager, what was the manager accused of, and what was his response to the crisis he faced? ([07:35])
How does Jesus describe the shrewdness of the dishonest manager, and what lesson does He draw from it for His disciples? ([15:49])
What does the term "mammon" refer to, and why does Jesus warn against serving both God and mammon? ([20:21])
How does the story of the Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company illustrate the principle of managing wealth for God's purposes? ([22:26])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus commend the dishonest manager for his shrewdness, and how does this apply to the way we should manage our resources? ([15:49])
What does it mean to be a manager rather than an owner of the resources God has given us? How does this perspective change our approach to wealth and possessions? ([09:50])
How does the concept of "mammon" challenge our trust in God versus our trust in wealth? What are some practical ways to ensure our trust remains in God? ([20:21])
In what ways does generosity reflect our trust in God, regardless of the amount we give? How does the story of the widow's offering in the Bible support this idea? ([23:36])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current financial habits. Are there areas where you are acting more like an owner than a manager of God's resources? What changes can you make to align more closely with the principle of being a faithful manager? ([09:50])
Think about a recent financial decision you made. Did it reflect shrewdness and godly wisdom? How can you incorporate more foresight and intentionality in your future financial decisions? ([15:49])
Identify a specific instance where you have placed your trust in money rather than in God. What steps can you take to shift your trust back to God in that area? ([20:21])
Consider your level of generosity. How does it reflect your trust in God? What is one practical way you can increase your generosity this week, regardless of your financial situation? ([22:26])
Jesus calls us to love people and use money. Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from this principle. How can you prioritize that relationship over financial concerns this week? ([24:42])
Reflect on the story of the Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company. How can you apply their example of setting financial boundaries and giving generously in your own life? ([22:26])
Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters." Identify a specific area in your life where you feel torn between serving God and serving money. What practical steps can you take to ensure God remains your master? ([24:42])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "When he gives us his grace, when he gives us his law, it's always out of love and it's always for our benefit. And so here's the guiding question is, how do I manage God's possessions in a way that reflects my trust in him and shows godly wisdom?" [07:35] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is pointing out that in this world, it's obvious there are people who know how to play the game, who know how to work the system. And the manager is one of those, that in this fallen world, that you can play the game and get ahead financially. You can get ahead and try and secure things for yourselves. And what Jesus is saying is, he's saying, take that shrewdness, take that cleverness with worldly wealth and use it in God's system." [17:15] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When we share what God has given us, it is not a waste. And when we share what God wants us to manage, it is not a waste. And in fact, it is a way that others see God's goodness. And that's Jesus' point about using worldly wealth to gain friends so you're welcomed into eternal dwellings." [18:06] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The generosity, the end of the day, doesn't have to do with an amount. It has to do with a condition of our hearts in where we are putting our trust. And, and, and what? What I'd like to compare that to is the widow that Jesus talks about in the Bible, that there was lots of rich people putting in money at the temple offering and a widow puts in a few pennies. And Jesus says she gave more than everyone because she gave all she had to live on and she gave it out of trust in God." [23:36] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The reason we often trust money is because we think it will give us power. We think it will give us security. We think it will give us our future. We think it will give us influence. And it very may well for a short period of time or in a way. But I want to begin where I started in Luke 15, right before this parable. Jesus in. In the parable of the two lost sons, the father says to the older son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours." [26:44] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "God is the rich man in the parable. And you and I, Jesus' disciples, we are managers. And so the reality is, have you ever thought about this truth is, I am a manager and not an owner. How we view the things we have and the things that I have, the money I earn, my house, my possessions, we might in our brains say, yeah, I know God gave this to me, but our hearts scream out, this is mine." [09:50] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is really clear in this parable that we, rightly so, need to view ourselves as managers, that everything we have belongs to God. And he's saying, I want you to use it for me. I want you to use it for my glory and for the good of others. And also in this is another truth that just as the manager had to be held accountable and his job was now going to be taken away, that there is the truth that everything, you and I have in this life, will be taken away. And God does care about how we use what he's given us to manage." [09:50] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus is teaching us that it doesn't work that way, that if you're trustworthy with a little, you'll be trustworthy with a lot. And if you're dishonest with a little, you'll be dishonest with a lot. The generosity, the end of the day, doesn't have to do with an amount. It has to do with a condition of our hearts in where we are putting our trust." [22:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. The Pharisees who loved money heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 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." [24:42] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The whole reason Jesus came is because all of us, rich, poor, were in a huge debt to God that we couldn't pay back. And it was our sin. And Jesus came and paid that debt for us. And Jesus came and gave us true riches. The reason we often trust money is because we think it will give us power. We think it will give us security. We think it will give us our future. We think it will give us influence." [25:45] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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