Money Matters

Luke 16:1-2 (NLT)

Jesus told this story to his disciples: "A rich man hired a manager to handle his affairs, but soon a rumor went around that the manager was thoroughly dishonest. [2] So his employer called him in and said, ’What’s this I hear about your stealing from me? Get your report in order, because you are going to be dismissed.’

Truths About Money

 It all belongs to God

– You have been given stewardship rights

– It can be taken just as easily as it can be given

 You are accountable

– You will someday give account for your stewardship

Luke 16:3-4 (NLT)

"The manager thought to himself, ’Now what? I’m through here, and I don’t have the strength to go out and dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. [4] I know just the thing! And then I’ll have plenty of friends to take care of me when I leave!’

What’s Your Plan?

 Knowing what needs to be done

– The basics – food clothing and shelter

– The comforts – heat, vehicles, etc...

 Planning defines priorities and sets boundaries

– Proverbs 2:11

– Proverbs 21:5

Proverbs 2:11 (NLT)

Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Luke 16:5-7 (NLT)

"So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ’How much do you owe him?’ [6] The man replied, ’I owe him eight hundred gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ’Tear up that bill and write another one for four hundred gallons.’

[7] " ’And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ’A thousand bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ’Here,’ the manager said, ’take your bill and replace it with one for only eight hundred bushels.’

The Opportunity to Bless

 Our resources can be used to bless or burden the lives of others

– Opportunities to show grace and mercy in tangible ways.

 Teachable moments

– Responsibility

– Generosity

– Stewardship

Luke 16:8-9 (NLT)

"The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the citizens of this world are more shrewd than the godly are. [9] I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.

Put Your Resources to Work

 Benefit others

– Meeting physical needs

– Meeting felt needs

– Meeting spiritual needs

 Building relationships

– Common interests

– Open invitations

– Creating community

 Plan with eternal impact as your goal

– Luke 12:33

Luke 12:33 (NLT)

"Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe—no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.

Luke 16:10-12 (NLT)

"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. [11] And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? [12] And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?

Integrity Matters

 Integrity meets its greatest challenge in matters of financial dealing

– It is easy to rationalize a compromise of principle

• Making purchases that you cannot afford

• Not repaying debts

• Emotional buying

 God cannot trust you with greater resources if you are not faithful with what he has already given you.

Luke 16:13 (NLT)

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Is Money Your Master?

 Do you think or worry about it frequently?

 Do you often give up what you should do or would like to do so you can go make more money?

 Do you spend a great deal of your time caring for your possessions?

 Is it hard for you to give money away?

 Are you in debt?

Choose Your Master

 Money

– Promises power and control

– Easily made and just as easily lost

– Cannot provide peace, happiness, health or eternal life

 God

– Peace

– Joy

– Security

• Now and forever

**Powerpoint available on request