INTRODUCTION
Why must we talk about money? Because money can dominate our lives and money influences our lives either good or bad. It can be used for great things. It can be used for bad things as well. We spend so much of our time thinking about it, working for it, earning it, studying it, saving it and investing it – all of these different things. If you don’t learn to manage your money, it will manage you.
One of the misunderstood stories in the Bible is before us this morning to learn from.
Important to note:
1. Jesus did not praise the man’s dishonesty! Shrewdness!
2. You can still learn & benefit from others without approving of everything they do!
Two (2) reasons Jesus told the story:
1. His audience was the Pharisees! The Religious leaders!
They are self-righteous, judgmental, and hypocritical. Jesus LOVED to shock them!
LK.16:14-15 “The Pharisees dearly loved money. So when they heard what Jesus said, they made fun of him. But Jesus told them: You’re always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned. (CEV)
How most people see & use money is exact opposite of what God intends!
2. Many believers are poor money managers!
LK.16:8 “For worldly people are more shrewd in handling their affairs than are those who belong to the Light.’
What is SHREWDNESS?
Keen awareness, Smart, strategic, and resourceful.
- KNOW what needs to be done
- FIGURE out how to do it!
Please understand that this message today is not a message about giving. It’s not a message about tithing. This is a message about how to manage your money well. And how to think about money the way God does.
From this story we learn four (4) things NOT do with money
If you practice these, they will transform your life and bring joy to your soul! The first thing we learn from this story about what NOT to do about money is...
1. DON’T WASTE IT:
“The manager was accused of wasting his master’s possession.”
“What am I going to do now? I’m losing my job...”
Prov. 23:5 “Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.” (TEV)
3. DON’T LOVE IT OR LIVE FOR IT Vs. 13
“No servant can serve two masters. 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 both God and money.”
• I must choose what I’ll LOVE MOST in life. LOVE PEOPLE. Use money
• The choice is always between GOD and MONEY. It’s easy for money to become a god!
4. DON’T EXPECT IT TO SATISFY
Eccl. 5:10 “Whoever loves money will never have enough, and whoever loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income”
Conclusion:
Your self worth has no connection to your net worth. Your valuables do not determine your value. So don’t think I have a lot so I’m worth a lot.