Preparing for Eternity: Wisdom in Earthly Stewardship
Summary
In Luke 16, Jesus shares a parable about a shrewd manager who, upon learning he will be fired, cleverly secures his future by reducing the debts of his master's debtors. This story, often misunderstood, is not about endorsing dishonesty but about the wisdom of preparing for the future. The manager, though dishonest, is commended for his shrewdness in using his current position to ensure his future well-being. Jesus uses this parable to challenge us, the people of the light, to be wise and proactive in preparing for our eternal future.
The parable highlights the contrast between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom. The manager, representing the people of this age, is focused solely on earthly life, while Jesus calls us to focus on the life to come. We are reminded that our time on Earth is limited, and we must use our resources wisely to secure eternal dwellings. Jesus emphasizes that worldly wealth is insignificant compared to true riches in heaven. He challenges us to use our earthly resources to make a lasting impact, investing in the kingdom of God rather than indulging in temporary pleasures.
The parable also underscores the importance of trustworthiness. Jesus teaches that if we cannot be trusted with worldly wealth, we cannot be trusted with true riches. Our handling of earthly resources reflects our faithfulness and readiness for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom. The story serves as a wake-up call to evaluate our priorities and align our hearts with eternal values.
Ultimately, Jesus warns against serving two masters, as we cannot serve both God and money. Our devotion must be singular, with our hearts set on heavenly treasures. The parable invites us to examine our lives, ensuring that our actions reflect our belief in the eternal promises of God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Wisdom of Preparation: The parable of the shrewd manager teaches us the importance of preparing for our eternal future. Just as the manager used his position to secure his future, we must use our earthly resources to invest in the kingdom of God, ensuring our eternal dwellings. [10:07]
- Worldly Wealth vs. True Riches: Jesus contrasts worldly wealth with true riches, emphasizing that earthly possessions are insignificant compared to the eternal treasures in heaven. Our focus should be on accumulating heavenly wealth through acts of generosity and service. [14:57]
- Trustworthiness in Small Things: Jesus highlights the importance of being trustworthy with worldly wealth, as it reflects our readiness for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom. Our faithfulness in handling earthly resources prepares us for true riches in heaven. [13:23]
- Singular Devotion: We cannot serve both God and money. Our devotion must be singular, with our hearts set on heavenly treasures. This requires a conscious decision to prioritize God's kingdom over earthly desires. [26:10]
- Eternal Perspective: The parable challenges us to maintain an eternal perspective, recognizing that our time on Earth is limited. We must use our resources wisely, focusing on the life to come and ensuring that our actions reflect our belief in God's eternal promises. [21:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Humpty Dumpty
- [02:28] - Understanding Parables
- [03:40] - The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
- [05:42] - The Manager's Strategy
- [07:31] - Commendation of Shrewdness
- [09:08] - People of the Light vs. People of the World
- [10:07] - Preparing for Eternity
- [12:21] - Trustworthiness with Wealth
- [14:57] - Worldly Wealth vs. True Riches
- [18:33] - The Donut Illustration
- [21:12] - The Eternal Perspective
- [24:54] - Serving God or Money
- [28:59] - The Heart of the Matter
- [34:35] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 16:1-13
Observation Questions:
1. What actions did the shrewd manager take to secure his future after learning he would be fired? [04:56]
2. How did the master respond to the manager's actions, and what was the reason for this response? [07:31]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the term "shrewd" as used in this parable? [07:54]
4. What does Jesus say about the relationship between worldly wealth and true riches? [14:28]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the shrewd manager illustrate the difference between worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom? [08:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers might be less shrewd than the people of this world? [09:36]
3. What does the sermon imply about the urgency of preparing for our eternal future? [10:51]
4. How does the concept of trustworthiness with worldly wealth relate to our responsibilities in God's kingdom? [13:23]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current use of resources. How can you be more intentional about investing in the kingdom of God rather than indulging in temporary pleasures? [11:06]
2. Consider the idea of serving two masters. Are there areas in your life where money might be competing with your devotion to God? How can you address this? [26:10]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having an eternal perspective. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from earthly desires to heavenly treasures? [21:12]
4. How can you demonstrate trustworthiness in handling the resources God has given you, both big and small? [12:39]
5. Think about a recent financial decision you made. Did it reflect your belief in God's eternal promises? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [25:24]
6. Identify one way you can use your worldly wealth to make a lasting impact in your community or church this week. What specific action will you take? [27:08]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the heart's focus. What percentage of your heart is set on heavenly things versus earthly things, and how can you adjust this balance? [29:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Preparing for Eternal Future
The parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16 teaches us the importance of preparing for our eternal future. The manager, though dishonest, is commended for his shrewdness in using his current position to secure his future. This story is not an endorsement of dishonesty but a call to be wise and proactive in preparing for what lies ahead. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to use our earthly resources to invest in the kingdom of God, ensuring our eternal dwellings. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that our time on Earth is limited and that our actions today have eternal consequences. [10:07]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to invest in your eternal future, using your resources to further God's kingdom?
Day 2: Worldly Wealth vs. True Riches
Jesus contrasts worldly wealth with true riches, emphasizing that earthly possessions are insignificant compared to the eternal treasures in heaven. The parable of the shrewd manager challenges us to focus on accumulating heavenly wealth through acts of generosity and service. Our earthly resources are temporary, but the impact we make for God's kingdom is everlasting. This perspective invites us to evaluate our priorities and align our hearts with eternal values, recognizing that true riches are found in our relationship with God and our service to others. [14:57]
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your earthly wealth to accumulate true riches in heaven through acts of generosity and service today?
Day 3: Trustworthiness in Small Things
The parable underscores the importance of trustworthiness, teaching that if we cannot be trusted with worldly wealth, we cannot be trusted with true riches. Our handling of earthly resources reflects our faithfulness and readiness for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom. This principle challenges us to be diligent and faithful in the small things, knowing that our actions prepare us for the true riches of heaven. It is a call to evaluate our stewardship and ensure that we are trustworthy in all aspects of our lives. [13:23]
"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?" (Luke 16:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: In what small area of your life can you demonstrate greater trustworthiness and faithfulness today?
Day 4: Singular Devotion
Jesus warns against serving two masters, as we cannot serve both God and money. Our devotion must be singular, with our hearts set on heavenly treasures. This requires a conscious decision to prioritize God's kingdom over earthly desires. The parable invites us to examine our lives, ensuring that our actions reflect our belief in the eternal promises of God. It is a call to evaluate where our true devotion lies and to make intentional choices that align with our commitment to Christ. [26:10]
"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." (Matthew 6:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one earthly desire or pursuit that competes with your devotion to God, and how can you prioritize His kingdom today?
Day 5: Eternal Perspective
The parable challenges us to maintain an eternal perspective, recognizing that our time on Earth is limited. We must use our resources wisely, focusing on the life to come and ensuring that our actions reflect our belief in God's eternal promises. This perspective encourages us to live with intentionality, making choices that have lasting significance. It is a reminder to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal, allowing our faith to guide our decisions and actions. [21:12]
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to an eternal perspective in your daily life today?
Quotes
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly for the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself so that when it is gone, you'll be welcomed into Eternal dwellings. [00:05:31]
Jesus says you know what though the people of the future the people of the light the Believers a lot of times are stupid I mean that's that's just what it comes down to we are not as smart we are not as wise we're not as shrewd as the people of this world Jesus says it right there they are not as shrewd. [00:09:34]
The whole point is listen you're not going to be on this Earth forever okay you're fired it's just a matter of time when you're going to be leaving this Earth and have you really thought through your future and set yourself up so that once you're done you know it says you know when that that money runs out or when it is gone. [00:10:04]
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much so if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth who will trust you with true riches and if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property who will give you property of your own. [00:12:27]
He contrasts worldly wealth that's all the things in the world every commercial you see everything you see you know as you walk outside all the stuff that that people long for he Compares that with the very little and he says if you can't even handle money how am I going to trust you with true riches. [00:14:39]
Jesus says if I entrust you with very little if if if you can't be trustworthy with very little how am I going to trust you with true riches and and the question I want you to ask about that is this as God looks at how you have managed your money throughout your lifetime up to this point would he say h he or she's been trustworthy. [00:24:55]
No servant can serve two masters either he'll hate the one and love the other or he'll 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 and he said to them you're the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men but God knows your hearts. [00:26:03]
Money is a wonderful slave but a terrible Master that's exactly what this passage is saying it's a wonderful slave you can use it as the Bible commands us to use your worldly wealth use it let it be your slave use it to do wonderful things with your money not selfish things whatever else but to do wonderful things. [00:27:01]
You can always justify your spending before people but ultimately God knows your real heart you can you can make me I can make you you know sound like we're such Saints with our money but ultimately God knows our hearts and knows if we really love the things of the world and that's why we get the stuff for ourselves. [00:28:26]
What percentage of your heart is in heaven right now versus the rest of that 100% that is on the earth when you think of your mind you know and your focus your direction and the things you're pursuing how much of that is is about Heavenly things and how much of it is about things on earth. [00:29:06]
Who's going to die first me or Donald Trump I don't know probably Trump I don't know he's old and but uh but you know the answer is who knows who knows right the point is is we're both both going to die and then when we both die who's going to be Rich Forever you see it it's you know we can look at people on this Earth. [00:32:41]
Are you doing that are you setting yourself up that's the point of this passage are you ready for eternity would God say you know what you've done great you've done great with your wealth on Earth let me give you some real rich now real riches I hope so and I hope we spend eternity going that was worth it. [00:34:08]
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