Bible reading (NKJV)
Luke 16:1–15
1 Then He also said to His disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.
2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’
3 Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.
4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’
5 So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
8 And the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
9 Also I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when it fails, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unjust mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another’s, who will give you what is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things and they derided Him.
15 And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’”
Observation questions
- What specific actions did the steward take to secure a future for himself (what did he change on the debt bills and why)? [06:01]
- In verse 8 Jesus says the steward was “shrewd.” What exactly is Jesus elevating about the steward’s behavior—his ethics or something else? [09:41]
- How does Jesus define “mammon” in this passage and in the sermon’s explanation—what does that word point to? [14:36]
- What promises or contrasts are given in verses 10–12 about faithfulness in small things and being entrusted with “true riches”? [22:50]
Interpretation questions (third person, objective)
- How should the steward’s example of foresight and leverage be interpreted for Christian use of position and possessions—does Jesus commend the means, the motive, or the outcome? [09:41]
- What does Jesus mean by “make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon”—how is earthly wealth meant to be converted into “friends” that matter for eternity? [15:24]
- How is faithfulness with temporary resources tied to future responsibility in God’s economy—what is the logic linking small stewardship to “true riches”? [22:50]
- What does the warning “You cannot serve God and mammon” reveal about how divided loyalties show up in real life and church practice? [30:38]
Application questions (personal, specific)
- Look at your last month of spending. Name one recurring expense (coffee, subscriptions, dining out, gadgets) that you could reduce and reallocate toward a gospel investment this month (e.g., church outreach, sponsoring a student, inviting a friend to a meal with the gospel). Be specific. [18:26]
- Who is one person in your circle (neighbor, coworker, family member) you could “make friends” with by using time, money, or access to open a gospel conversation? What will you do this week to invest in that relationship? [19:56]
- What position, platform, or access do you currently have that you rarely use for kingdom purposes (workplace influence, social media, a regular gathering)? List one concrete way you can leverage it this month. [11:10]
- Think about a small purchase you make without thinking (snacks, impulse buys). How could choosing to skip one of those and giving the money instead become a training ground for faithfulness in “what is least”? Commit to one change this week. [22:50]
- Ask yourself: “How much is enough?” Write down a practical rule you can try for 30 days to keep money from ruling you (example: tithe first, set a giving percentage, or pause 48 hours before nonessential purchases). Share what you’ll try and when. [39:11]
- What accountability step will you take to guard your heart from mammon? (Examples: tell one trusted friend your giving goal, schedule monthly stewardship reviews, or set an automatic gift to mission). Be concrete about who, when, and how. [30:38]
- Imagine arriving in heaven. Name two people you want to see there because of investments you make now. What are two specific actions you will take in the next 6 months to invest in those people’s paths toward Christ? [42:07]
Use these questions to guide honest sharing, concrete commitments, and practical next steps.
