Stewardship and Shrewdness: Managing God's Resources Wisely
Summary
### Summary
In today's passage from Luke 16:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd manager to his disciples. The story revolves around a rich man who discovers that his manager has been wasting his resources. Faced with the prospect of losing his job, the manager devises a cunning plan to secure his future by reducing the debts of his master's debtors, thereby gaining their favor. Surprisingly, the rich man commends the manager for his shrewdness, even though his actions were dishonest.
Jesus uses this parable to teach a profound lesson about the use of worldly resources. He emphasizes that while the manager's actions were unethical, his foresight and planning for the future are qualities that believers can learn from. Jesus encourages his followers to use their worldly resources to benefit others and build relationships that have eternal significance. He stresses that faithfulness in small matters leads to greater responsibilities and that our stewardship of earthly possessions reveals our true character and priorities.
The parable challenges us to see ourselves as managers of God's resources, not owners. Everything we have is entrusted to us by God, and we are accountable for how we use it. Jesus calls us to be generous, to use our resources to meet the needs of others, and to invest in relationships that point people to God. Ultimately, our faithfulness in managing God's resources will have eternal implications, and we will be welcomed into an eternal home by those whose lives we have impacted.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness in Small Matters: Jesus teaches that if we are faithful in little things, we will be faithful in larger ones. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our use of resources, time, and talents. Faithfulness in small responsibilities prepares us for greater opportunities and responsibilities in God's kingdom. [01:50]
2. Stewardship Reveals Character: How we manage the resources God has entrusted to us reveals our true character. Our decisions and actions demonstrate whether we truly love God or if we are driven by selfish desires. Stewardship is a reflection of our heart and our relationship with God. [33:17]
3. Generosity with Worldly Resources: Jesus encourages us to use our worldly resources to benefit others and build relationships that have eternal significance. Generosity is not just about giving money but also about using our time, talents, and possessions to meet the needs of others and point them to God. [12:03]
4. Eternal Perspective: The parable challenges us to think beyond our immediate needs and desires and to plan for our eternal future. Our actions and decisions today have eternal implications, and we should use our resources to make an eternal impact. [15:54]
5. Trusting God as the Owner: Recognizing that God is the owner of everything we have changes our perspective on possessions. We are merely managers of His resources, and we must be willing to give back to God whatever He asks. Trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness allows us to steward His resources effectively. [32:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Introduction to the Parable
[01:19] - The Manager's Plan
[01:50] - Lesson on Faithfulness
[02:27] - Prayer for Guidance
[03:29] - Context of the Parable
[04:04] - The Manager's Responsibility
[05:18] - Accountability and Consequences
[06:24] - The Manager's Scheming
[07:27] - Reducing Debts
[08:54] - The Rich Man's Admiration
[10:20] - Jesus' Lesson on Worldly Resources
[12:03] - Using Resources to Benefit Others
[15:54] - Eternal Perspective
[18:06] - Faithfulness in Little Things
[33:17] - Stewardship Reveals Character
[32:32] - Trusting God as the Owner
[44:57] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 16:1-13
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the manager accused of, and what was his initial reaction to the accusation? [00:43]
2. How did the manager reduce the debts of his master's debtors, and what was the rich man's reaction to this? [01:19]
3. According to Jesus, what lesson should we learn from the manager's actions? [01:50]
4. What does Jesus say about serving two masters, and what are the implications of this statement? [29:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus commend the shrewdness of the dishonest manager, and what qualities does He want His followers to emulate? [11:06]
2. How does the parable illustrate the concept of stewardship and our role as managers of God's resources? [17:13]
3. What does Jesus mean when He says that our faithfulness in small matters will lead to greater responsibilities? [18:56]
4. How does the parable challenge our perspective on worldly possessions and their eternal significance? [15:54]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were faithful in a small responsibility. How did that prepare you for greater opportunities? How can you apply this principle in your current situation? [18:06]
2. Consider how you manage the resources God has entrusted to you. What does your stewardship reveal about your character and priorities? [33:17]
3. In what ways can you use your worldly resources to benefit others and build relationships that have eternal significance? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [12:03]
4. How can you shift your focus from immediate needs and desires to planning for your eternal future? What practical steps can you take to align your actions with an eternal perspective? [15:54]
5. Think about a possession or resource you currently have. How can you use it to meet the needs of others and point them to God? Share a specific example and plan to act on it. [18:06]
6. Reflect on the idea that God is the owner of everything you have. How does this change your perspective on your possessions? What is one thing you can do to demonstrate your trust in God's ownership? [32:32]
7. Identify a relationship in your life where you can invest more intentionally. How can you use your time, talents, or resources to strengthen this relationship and point the person to God? [40:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness in Small Matters
Faithfulness in small responsibilities prepares us for greater opportunities and responsibilities in God's kingdom. Jesus teaches that if we are faithful in little things, we will be faithful in larger ones. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our use of resources, time, and talents. Faithfulness in small responsibilities prepares us for greater opportunities and responsibilities in God's kingdom. Jesus emphasizes that our actions in seemingly insignificant matters reveal our true character and readiness for more significant tasks. By being diligent and trustworthy in the small things, we demonstrate our reliability and commitment to God's work. [01:50]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What small responsibility in your life can you be more faithful in today, and how can you see it as an opportunity to prepare for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom?
Day 2: Stewardship Reveals Character
How we manage the resources God has entrusted to us reveals our true character. Our decisions and actions demonstrate whether we truly love God or if we are driven by selfish desires. Stewardship is a reflection of our heart and our relationship with God. When we handle God's resources with integrity and generosity, it shows our commitment to His principles and our trust in His provision. Conversely, mismanagement or selfish use of these resources indicates a heart that is not fully aligned with God's will. [33:17]
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made regarding your resources. What does it reveal about your character and relationship with God?
Day 3: Generosity with Worldly Resources
Jesus encourages us to use our worldly resources to benefit others and build relationships that have eternal significance. Generosity is not just about giving money but also about using our time, talents, and possessions to meet the needs of others and point them to God. By being generous, we reflect God's love and care for humanity, and we create opportunities for others to experience His grace. Our generosity can have a lasting impact, not just in this life but also in eternity. [12:03]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Identify one way you can use your resources—time, talents, or possessions—to bless someone today. How can this act of generosity point them to God?
Day 4: Eternal Perspective
The parable challenges us to think beyond our immediate needs and desires and to plan for our eternal future. Our actions and decisions today have eternal implications, and we should use our resources to make an eternal impact. Jesus calls us to prioritize our eternal home over temporary comforts and to invest in relationships and actions that have lasting significance. By keeping an eternal perspective, we align our lives with God's purposes and prepare for the rewards of eternity. [15:54]
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects an eternal perspective rather than a focus on temporary gains?
Day 5: Trusting God as the Owner
Recognizing that God is the owner of everything we have changes our perspective on possessions. We are merely managers of His resources, and we must be willing to give back to God whatever He asks. Trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness allows us to steward His resources effectively. When we see ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we are more likely to use our resources in ways that honor God and fulfill His purposes. This trust in God's ownership and provision frees us from anxiety and enables us to be more generous and responsible. [32:32]
Psalm 24:1 (ESV): "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein."
Reflection: How does recognizing God as the owner of everything you have change the way you view and use your possessions? What is one step you can take today to steward His resources more faithfully?
Quotes
1. "If you are faithful in little things, you'll be faithful in larger ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with the things of your own? No one can serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. You'll be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." [01:50] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He's telling us that we're managers like this. This is us in the story. We have a master. We have an owner. And I know that that pricks our pride. We don't like to hear that. We want to be our own person. We want to take credit for all that we have. We've earned this. It was by our experience, our knowledge, our ability to foresee something and invest in and get in early. And then this stuff, this stuff is because of what I did. And Jesus said, you're not an owner. You're a manager." [16:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you're faithful in little things, you'll be faithful in larger ones. If you're faithful to what God is asking you to do with what you currently have, then he can trust you with more." [19:47] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We live for what we love. So how I manage the things of this life that are in my possession, but I'm not the owner of, will reveal who my real master is, who I'm serving. Because someone or something, something is driving my life. God wants your heart, not your stuff. God wants your heart, not your money." [34:44] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We like to have the rights of an owner. Those are mine. But we don't want the responsibilities of the owner. We find the greatest pleasure when with our whole life and everything that he's entrusted with us are pursuing his greater purpose, which is to seek and to save the lost. That was why Jesus came. He said, I came to seek and to save the lost. And then he invites us to follow him." [43:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We talk about this as elders. We pray this way, that we would steward well all that God has entrusted us with. And it's not just stuff. It's not property and buildings. It's people. Why would God send one more person to a church that's not going to take care of them? That's not going to shepherd. There's expectations to our management. And being faithful leads to being fruitful." [24:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So what does God really want with all that he's given you and me? He's trusting us with things. The first is time. Every minute we have is a gift. And we realize this at greater levels of intensity when we lose somebody we love when they die. How often are we standing there in a funeral home or a church hugging everybody going, man, time is so precious. How are you stewarding your time? How are you stewarding your life? It's a gift." [38:14] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We need money. We have to have it. We trade our time and our talents and our abilities to some employer or we use them to start a business so that we would get paid, that we would be compensated. That we would take the money we earn and we would spend it. We don't live in a culture where we're trading things. We trade time for money and money for stuff. That's it. We need money. And when people are struggling and they're suffering, oftentimes they will say, and you and I have probably all said it, man, if I just had more money, I could solve this problem." [30:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We will live for what we love. If you want to know what you love, just know that you love God. Look at the things you do, the things you make time for, the things you'll sacrifice for. That's what you love. And if it's not God, it's wrong and it will fail. It will let you down. We live for what we love." [33:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So don't look around. Don't look at somebody. It's a trap that we get sucked into and we start comparing. And then he ends this text with, no one can serve two masters. Which he doesn't say, you might serve a master. No, you're serving someone. Something is motivating and driving the direction of your life. We're serving someone or something. And he said, you can't serve two. You're only going to be able to serve one. So pick the one that you're going to serve." [29:28] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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