MANAGE GOD’S GIFTS WISELY (Outline)
October 4, 2009 --
PENTECOST 18 --
Luke 16:1-13
INTRO: The Lord God Almighty lovingly lavishes blessing after blessing upon mankind. It is only the believer who recognizes that every good and perfect gift comes from above, from God. The unbeliever does not recognize God’s gifts because he denies God’s existence. Believers realize that God’s gifts are entrusted to them. God’s gifts are to be used or managed wisely. "Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them" (HOSEA 14:9). May our loving Lord direct us today to seek what is right so that do not stumble by own wickedness and rebellion. Jesus teaches:
MANAGE GOD’S GIFTS WISELY:
I. Not as slaves to greed,
II. but in service to truth.
I. MANAGE GOD’S GIFTS WISELY: NOT AS SLAVES TO GREED.
A. Verse 1. The disciples include the large group following Jesus. There is a rich man and a manager.
1. Verse 2. The rich man calls the manager to account for his dishonesty.
2. The rich man wants the accounts to be figured. The manager has come to the end of his job.
B. Verse 3. The manager offers no excuses. He has been dishonest. He recognizes the problem.
1. The manager also realizes he does not want to do any manual labor. Working is not for him.
2. Verse 4. He figures out a solution to his problem. Once again, it is dishonest and selfish.
C. Verses 5,6. The manager reduces the debts owed to his master. Verses 7,8. Both now owe him thanks.
1. Verse 9. The rich man commends the manager!?! Note the manager is still called dishonest.
2. The rich man praises the manager for his shrewdness in watching out for himself, not honesty.
D. The dishonest manager acted shrewdly. This is different than wisely. The manager was shrewd in cheating his master out of money. The manager always took care of his own needs. He cared little about being honest or faithful to his master. The Lord wants us to understand the danger of dealing with the people of this world. Many are always and only looking out for themselves. They care very little or even nothing at all about honesty. "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (MATTHEW 10:16). Given the chance the world would devour be-lievers as wolves among sheep. Jesus reminds believers to be ”shrewd as snakes” but remain innocent. Believers are not to go beyond what God desires. Believers are not to be dishonest, unfair, or selfish.
E. Selfishness is only another word for greed. Our society constantly promotes selfish and greed. Our nation is obsessed with having the best things this life can offer. We get caught up in the materialism that is so prevalent in our country. Our nation is blessed beyond all comparison to any other nation in this world. Yet, it seems as if we never have enough time for the things that are most important in life. Our lives seem to be busy, busy, busy. The modern conveniences we have ought to give us plenty of extra time to enjoy life. "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves" (PSALM 127:2). God gives all as gifts. God gives sleep. Do not be a slave to greed.
F. How easy it can become to be caught up in the “American dream” of wealth and glory and power. All too often this is the driving force in the lives of the rich and famous. Sadly, the rich and famous are pointed to as the examples others ought to follow. But their examples only promote greed and selfishness not contentment and selflessness. Ask anyone if he has enough money. Seldom will they say that what they have is enough. There is a greedy need for more. But when is more ever enough? "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him" (2 PETER 2:19). The world promises much. The world never delivers real satisfaction. Do not become a slave to greed. This can mean greed for money, lust for power, or a sinful desire for glory.
MANAGE GOD’S GIFTS WISELY,
but not as slaves to greed. Let the world be selfish and greedy.
II. MANAGE GOD’S GIFTS WISELY AS SERVANTS TO TRUTH.
A. Jesus teaches this parable as he journeys to Jerusalem for his crucifixion. Jesus is never selfish.
1. Both the rich man and the manager believed that earthly prosperity meant happiness.
2. Jesus had warned against greed. Verse 9. Now he says uses worldly wealth to gain friends.
3. Are believers to buy friends? No. Spend wealth to spread the gospel = make friends for Christ.
B. Verse 10. The way of man’s life is seen in how he handles little things. Honesty yields honest living.
1. Dishonesty yields dishonesty. Little things are worldly. True riches are from above, verse 11.
2. All things on earth are God’s gifts for believers to manage wisely, verse 12.
3. Earthly blessings are temporary. Heavenly gifts are forever as the believers’ true possessions.
C. Verse 13. There is to be no mistake, there can only be one GOD. Money can be a distraction.
D. Believers will always want to remember that is purely out of God’s great grace, mercy, and love that they have life, breath, and all things. Knowing this we are grateful. The people of this age seek only to serve themselves and their sinful desires. From time to time we may also be a bit selfish and self-serving. We are still sinners. We are also sinners who know that out love God forgives us. God makes us his very own. As a result of God’s great love we live our lives reflecting his love, his light. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord" (EPHESIANS 5:8-10). As God’s children, children of light, we manage God’s gifts wisely whenever we share with others “good-ness, righteousness and truth”. In service to God’s truth we live to please the Lord.
E. While others are chasing after the things of this world we can be content with what we have. Godliness with contentment is great gain. The Lord God Almighty has created us to love him and serve others. In doing this we are able to live fruitful lives. God also wants us to enjoy life. God has given us our time of grace here on earth as a time to appreciate and enjoy all he has done and still does for us always. "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God"(ECCLESIASTES 5:19). Enjoy God’s good and perfect gifts. He provides all things. Accept your lot in life. Be happy in all that you do for God’s glory.
F. Believers live lives of love in service to others. This is in stark contrast to the lives of unbelievers who only live lives to serve themselves. God’s gifts to us are far more than only material blessings. Our gracious God gives us spiritual gifts. These spiritual gifts are not only meant for our good but also as a blessing for others. "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms" (1 PETER 4:10). It may be that our neighbor needs a sympathetic ear. We listen. May be our neighbor needs a word or two of godly encouragement. We speak. Or just may be our neighbor needs even more than we think can give. We pray. Manage God’s gifts wisely.
CONC.: The world acts shrewdly. This is not always wisely in God’s eyes. As believers we will want to live, act, and work wisely in managing God’s gifts. Pray for God’s gift of contentment. In this way you can avoid being a slave to greed. Instead you will be a servant of God’s truth. "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life" (ROMANS 6:22). In service to God’s truth we have been set free. No longer are we slaves of sin. As God’s children we have been given holiness and eternal life. MANAGE GOD’S GIFTS WISELY: not as a slave to greed but as a God’s servant of truth. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PENTECOST 18 rdgs:
JEREMIAH 11:18-20;
JAMES 3:13-18;
MARK 9:30-37;
(PSALM 31)
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