1. Luke 16 God is the Owner… We are His Managers!
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein (Psalm 24:1)
God Owns everything, but He put us in charge… For now
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

2. Question
Suppose the richest man in the world asked you to manage $1,000,000,000. You are given complete discretion. He tells you that he loves you and trusts you like a son. All he asks is that you bring honor to him with what you do.
So… What would you do?
One more thing… Someday, you will have to give an account for everything you did with his money.
How much do you love the owner?
How much do you love money?
How much do you love God?
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

3. Possible Answers
Wisely invest the money in business ventures with the goal of making a large profit
Support charitable causes like feeding the poor, medical research, etc., that you know are dear to the rich man’s heart
Build churches and support missions/ministries all around the world to reach the lost
Put the money in a bank so it can gain interest in a safe manner without you having to do any work
Buy gold and hide it under a rock (get a gun to protect it too)
Spend the money on yourself with the hope that the day of accountability will never occur… or that it is so far off into the future that it won’t really matter
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

4. God is the Owner… We are His Managers
The Bible tells us that we are stewards (managers) of everything God has given to us
Money (cash, investments, valuables)
Time (service, ministries, entertainment, prayer, study)
Possessions (homes, cars, computers, games, food, clothes, fuel)
Abilities (intelligence, artistic, physical strength, skills, spiritual gifts)
People (family, friends, neighbors, business associates)
Environment (animals, pets, plants, air, water, soil, resources)
All He asks is that we bring honor to Him
Someday, we will have to give an account for what we have done with the things He has given us to manage
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

5. Parable of the Dishonest (but clever) Manager
1He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

6. The Corrupt Steward Misuse of delegated authority for personal gain
Examples
Bribes
Political favors
Embezzlement
Corporate cronyism
Good ol’ boys network
Selective justice
Flattery
Propaganda
Cover Ups
The manager in the parable was using his masters business accounts for personal gain. He was not acting in the best interest of the owner.
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

7. The Moral of this Parable
It’s pretty simple…
Jesus tells us to wisely manage the things given to us by God in this world for the purpose of furthering His eternal kingdom
When we get to the eternal dwelling place (heaven), we will be welcomed by all of the people we helped bring into God’s kingdom
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

8. Accountability
Faithfulness and Dishonesty 10“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. 11If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? Choose Your Master Wisely 13No servant can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

9. What Would You Do?
You are the owner of a business that is struggling to survive in the current economy and marketplace
Do you…
Cut pay and benefits of your employees (or lay them off) while you continue to make big profits for yourself
…Love of money (pride)
Cut your pay and benefits first before cutting the pay and benefits of your employees
…Love of others (humility)
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

10. Choose Wisely… A corrupt manager loves personal gain more than God
Who do you love, God or the things of this world?
You can only pick one!
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

11. Reverend Ike
"The Bible says Jesus rode on a borrowed ass. But I would rather ride in a Rolls Royce than to ride somebody's ass!”
"The best thing you can do for the poor is not to be one of them”
"The LACK of money is the root of all evil.”
"Forget about the pie in the sky, get yours here and now.”
"If it's that difficult for a rich man to get into heaven, think how terrible it must be for a poor man to get in. He doesn't even have a bribe for the gatekeeper.”
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

12. Face Reality
Who are you really trying to impress? 14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Truth is eternal! 16“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. 17But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

13. Divorce and Remarriage
For example…
18“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
First of all, call it what it is… Adultery!
This verse says that divorce has a cause and ripple effect
Impacts everybody (husband, wife, family, relatives, friends)
It reflects a worldview that makes a mockery of the husband/wife relationship, which is patterned after our relationship with Christ
We cannot act as if this is just a normal part of life
There are moral/physical cause and effect consequences
Do we walk away from Christ when things get tough?
What if Christ decided to divorce us?
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

14. The Rich Man and Lazarus — Where is the Compassion? —
19“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 2:17-18
The rich man loved his possessions more than God
Perhaps he even hated and despised God as verse 13 says…
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

15. Worldview on Humanity & Compassion
You won’t like what the world has to offer
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

16. Two Types of People in this World The Saints & the Aints
Saints: Christian Worldview
Dominated by the Spirit (influenced by the flesh)
Aints: Human Worldview
Dominated by the flesh (Influenced by the Devil)
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

17. World View Learning Machine
Ideology
The goal is for our ideology (worldview)
to match what is actually true/real
Mind/Brain
Heart/Desires/Emotion
Perceived Truth
Beliefs that we hold to be true
Holy Spirit
(Supernatural Love)
Stimulus
Cognition/thought triggering
Flesh
(Human Desires)
Conclusion & Behavior
Validate &
Correct
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

18. Humanity and Compassion — The Saints —
Christian heart (dominated by the Spirit)
Responsibility
We have a personal responsibility to help the poor, widows, orphans, elderly, afflicted, etc., with the resources God has given us
The church has a responsibility to provide help beyond what any one person can provide (organization, resources, cooperation)
Government/society has a responsibility to help victims of major catastrophes such as famines, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, etc.
No handouts to those who are able to work and refuse (laziness)
Two greatest commandments (love God and neighbors)
We see the world through Christ’s eyes
Do what is right rather than what is expedient
Let go of material things in this world and lead people to Christ
Bring honor to God in everything we do…
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

19. Humanity and Compassion — The Aints —
Worldly heart (dominated by the flesh/Satan)
Driven by greed, envy, and pleasure (things of the world)
Projection (everyone thinks the way I do)
Worldview of the poor: The rich are greedy and victimize workers
Worldview of the rich: Helping the poor is not my problem
Responsibility to help the needy falls on society (entitlements)
Tax the rich, redistribution of wealth, social justice, labor, welfare
Corruption, cronyism, scandals, crime, violence, disregard for life
Evolution of society is the ultimate purpose of mankind and salvation
No absolute rules for right and wrong (ends justify the means)
Darwinism, science, psychology, Marxism  highly evolved animals
Abortion, eugenics, rationing, genocide, political enemies, racism
Control (education, propaganda, force, fear, blackmail, dependency)
Satan’s favorite scheme… Christians and Jews are the enemy of society
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

20. George Bernard Shaw Quote
I appeal to the chemists to discover a humane gas that will kill instantly and painlessly. Deadly by all means, but humane, not cruel…
…After 10 years, such gas was discovered and used by the Nazis to kill Jews…
— Zyklon B —
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

21. Heading Towards Tribulation — We Know How it Ends —
9Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake… 21For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24 9, 21-22)
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

22. Godliness is Surrounded by Worldliness
Christians try to evangelize the world
Gospel/Salvation/Love/Revival
The world tries to eliminate/persecute God
Secularism/Progressivism/Atheism
Christian
Spiritual gifts
Personal salvation
Dominated by love
Church
Elders/fellowship
Body of Christ
Outreach/missions
World
Society/government
Collective salvation
Dominated by flesh
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
1 John 5:19
Good vs. Evil
The Age Old
Conflict
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

23. The Modern Christian in Today’s World — What are We Supposed to Do? —
“We pay our taxes so why help the poor – let them get help from the government?”
Resentment by tax payers seeing their money go to causes they don’t support (abortion, progressive causes, propaganda, etc.)
Those receiving help feel entitled and offer no gratitude (corruption)
Loss of freedom (welfare, housing, food, health, energy, jobs)
An oppressive government prohibits people from being independent
Helping others
Protecting ourselves, families, homes, neighborhoods
Speaking freely about political or religious issues
…No, we must still help those who are in need!
Otherwise, how does the love of God abide in us (again, John 2:17-18)
People all around us are struggling with needs – just look around
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

24. The Rich Man and Lazarus — There are Consequences —
22The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

25. Justice Will Be Served in the End
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life… Galatians 6:7-8
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

26. The Rich Man and Lazarus — The Choice Comes from the Heart —
27And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

27. John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them."
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

28. John 6:63-65
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

29. John 10:26-28
But you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

30. Seven Principles of Christian Giving
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

31. Principles of Christian Giving #1 — Give According to What You Have —
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 2 Corinthians 8:12-14
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

32. Principles of Christian Giving #2 — Give Sacrificially —
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

33. Principles of Christian Giving #3 — Give in Secret —
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

34. God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

35. Principles of Christian Giving #4 — You Will Reap What You Sow —
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

36. Principles of Christian Giving #5 — Give Willingly —
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

37. Principles of Christian Giving #6 — God is Sufficient for Your Needs —
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13

38. Principles of Christian Giving #7 — God is the Owner of Everything — We are His Managers, at least for now…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4)
God is the Owner... We are His Managers!
8/11/13