Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 9 AUGUST 2020

Text: Luke 16

Subject: Money Matters I

INTRODUCTION

1. The problem of a love for money

2. This was a danger that the Apostle Paul emphasized

a) A love for money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10)

b) What was the background of this teaching?

3. A double Parable on the subject of Money

a) A complex Parable

“The Parable of the Unjust Steward” (Luke 16:1-8)

b) A straightforward Parable

“The Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

THE CONTEXT

1. To the Disciples of the Lord (Luke 16:1)

a) The Twelve

b) There were other disciples 

c) They needed to have a better understanding of money matters

2. The Pharisees

They loved money (Luke 16:14)

a) They heard the parables of Jesus

b) They derided Him

i) To mock

ii) To ridicule

THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD
(The Parable of the Crafty Steward)
Luke 16:1-8

1. The Features of the Parable (Luke 16:1-8a)

a) A rich man

b) A steward (household manager)

2. Accusation against the steward was made

a) Abuse of his position

b) Wasting his master’s goods

3. Sacking the steward

a) He was to give an account of the money entrusted to him

b) He has to hand over his accounts to the master

4. The crafty steward

a) He realized he would lose his job

b) His prospects?

i) He cannot dig (no physical strength)

ii) He would not beg (shame)

c) Cause of action

i) He called all the debtors

ii) He reduced the debt owed

d) What was he doing?

i) He was making friends

ii) He was making friends out of “unrighteous mammon”

5. The response of the master

a) The word “lord” is a reference to the rich man in the parable

b) It is not a reference to the Lord Jesus (mistaken understanding)

c) He “praised” the crafty steward 

d) He was shrewd as he faced a bleak future without a good job

LESSONS FOR THE DISCIPLES

1. The sons of the world versus the sons of light (believers) (Luke 16:8b)

a) The sons of the world are more shrewd

b) The sons of light are quite naïve in money matters

2. Making funds work for you

a) Make friends (Normal)

b) Make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon (Luke 16:9b)

c) When you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home (not a reference to heaven) (Luke 16:9c)

3. Being faithful

a) He who is faithful in what is least

b) He is faithful in much (Luke 16:10a)

4. Being unjust/ unrighteous

a) He who is unjust in what is least

b) He is unjust in much (Luke 16:10b)

5. Faithful in handling money

a) “Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon,

b) Who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11)

6.    a) “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s,

       b) Who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:12)

7. Serving two masters (Luke 16:13)

a) No servant can serve two masters

i) Hate

For either he will hate the one

ii) Love

And love the other

iii) Loyalty

Or else he will be loyal to the one

iv) Despising

And despise the other

b) Choice!

You cannot serve God and mammon 

i) Serving God

ii) Serving mammon 

GOD’S PROVISION

1. Money is part of God’s provision

2. We must find the wisdom to know how to use funds wisely

a) Not to love money

b) But there is no excuse for wasting it 

3. Faithfulness is an important thing to possess and to utilize well