Luke 16:1-13

1 He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 "Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'

5 So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home

10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

The Context 1 He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 "Then the steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' 5 So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Self- Righteousness Covetousness Luke 15:1-2 Luke 16:14

Who is Addressed? Spoke to his disciples (v. 1) In the hearing of the Pharisees (v. 14)

What is the Point? Exposes covetousness – yet a lesson for God’s people “…the design of our Lord evidently being, to teach these believers in self-righteous respectability that there are other ways of misusing the portion which God has given us, than by riotous living…” (Taylor, 372) To encourage prudence – In spiritual matters among the people of God Like we see in the worldly minded in their pursuit of material goals

Luke 16:1-13 I.The Parable (vv. 1-8)

A. A rich man calls his steward into account (vv. 1-2) 1.Steward: manager (NIV) – oversee business affairs of another a.Eliezer – Abraham’s steward (Gen.15:2; 24:1-2) b.Joseph – Potiphar’s steward (Gen. 39:4) c.We all are stewards of all God has given us 2.Accused of wasting rich man’s goods a.Expect this to require giving up-to-date books b.Called into account - then fired! c.His subsequent actions – shows must be true d.Exactly what – not told – but had acted in his own interest & not his masters

I.The Parable (vv. 1-8) A. A rich man calls his steward into account (vv. 1-2) B. Steward’s plan to take care of himself (vv. 3-7) 1.Devises a plan for his future (vv. 3-4) a.Still has a position of power – not removed yet b.Can’t dig (not able) – “not strong enough” (NASB, NIV) c.Ashamed to beg (too proud) – he is “management” – not going to do manual labor! d.Concentrates on his future e.Something has to be done – and quickly!!

I.The Parable (vv. 1-8) A. A rich man calls his steward into account (vv. 1-2) B. Steward’s plan to take care of himself (vv. 3-7) 1.Devises a plan for his future (vv. 3-4) 2.Reduces the bills of the debtors (vv. 5-7) a.These may be merchants who have accepted oil & wheat on consignment b.Has the debtor to write in own handwriting so realize and be thankful for how great a favor was done c.First debtor (800 gallons of oil) – cut his debt by 50% d.Second debtor (1000 bushels of wheat) cut his by 20% His Focus Was On Himself!

I.The Parable (vv. 1-8) A. A rich man calls his steward into account (vv. 1-2) B. Steward’s plan to take care of himself (vv. 3-7) C. Commended for his shrewdness (v. 8) 1.Not commended for his dishonesty (he was fired!) 2.For prudence, foresight, diligence, focus, wisdom… 3.Two effects: Debtor grateful and helps him when he needs it If doesn’t – can be blackmailed (for altering the bill in own hand) 4.Preparing for his own future – wise in taking care of self world uses better judgment – more clever and shrewd in accomplishing their goal than God’s people in theirs! 5.Point: world uses better judgment – more clever and shrewd in accomplishing their goal than God’s people in theirs!

“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” Verse 8

Luke 16:1-13 I.The Parable (vv. 1-8) II.The Comments (vv. 9-13)

A. Use material blessings to receive eternal (v. 9) 1.Unrighteous mammon a.Is money – riches – possessions b.“Unrighteous” in contrast to “true riches” (v. 11) 2.Make friends a.As steward did – use it wisely to reach goal b.Equal to: receiving everlasting habitation 3.Knowing it will fail – end – stewardship will soon be over 4.“Jesus implores us to use our earthly goods in view of eternity and our eternal spiritual dwelling” (Caldwell)

II.The Comments (vv. 9-13) A. Use material blessings to receive eternal (v. 9) B. Stewardship (vv ) 1.Must be a good steward of little to be trusted with more “You may allege that you have too little of this world’s goods to be much concerned with the truth which I have now announced; but that is a mistake, for fidelity does not depend upon the amount entrusted to you, but on the use to which that amount, however small, is put by you; and that, again, depends on your sense of responsibility as a steward of God.” William Taylor, Parables of Our Savior,

II.The Comments (vv. 9-13) A. Use material blessings to receive eternal (v. 9) B. Stewardship (vv ) 1.Must be a good steward of little to be trusted with more 2.Must be a good steward of material to be blessed eternally “The stewardship of material possessions is a training ground for the stewardship of that which is truly important, the spiritual, called by Jesus in verse 11, ‘true riches.’” Greg Litmer, Jesus, p. 176

II.The Comments (vv. 9-13) A. Use material blessings to receive eternal (v. 9) B. Stewardship (vv ) C. Priority (v. 13) 1.Real motive that inspires fidelity is love 2.Must decide which master we serve (like two bosses – on two jobs) 3.At the heart of proper use of material – is getting priority straight! 4.When serving mammon – success depends on what we gain 5.When Serving God –success depends on what we give

Luke 16:1-13 I.The Parable (vv. 1-8) II.The Comments (vv. 9-13) III. The Lessons

A. We are stewards 1.All our money, possessions, blessings, time, abilities and even ourselves (body) – belong to God 2.Thus we are stewards of all we possess 3.Often people say, “My money, my body, my time…” do with it as I please!” 4.We will give an account of all

III. The Lessons A.We are stewards B. Look hard for every opportunity 1.The steward did! 2.Must ask, “How can I use this circumstance for my goal?” 3.Ever keep a watchful eye on how everything we have relates to the service of God and so use it! 4.We often fail to seize the opportunity Claim our goal is service to God – yet irregular! Admit dangers – then decide without regard to it Work tirelessly for 30 yrs to pay a mortgage (house that will decay) – then little attention to eternal mansion!

“…the children of light being thus rebuked that they are not at half the pains to win heaven, which the men of this world are to win earth.” R. C. Trench, Parables of Our Lord, 158

III. The Lessons A.We are stewards B.Look hard for every opportunity C. Priority 1.If we are not careful – priorities can quickly get out of balance 2.Find ourselves working harder for material things than we do spiritual! 3.“Those things which in theory he calls secondary, he often allows to become primary; and very frequently he loses sight of the interests of eternity, in his devotion to those of time” (William Taylor, 378).

III. The Lessons A.We are stewards B.Look hard for every opportunity C.Priority D. Urgency and promptness 1. Stewards time was soon to be cut off a.Acted promptly – didn’t say, “Sometime, I will…” b.“Didn’t let grass grown under his feet” – worked fast c.Even urged the debtor to “write quickly”

III. The Lessons A.We are stewards B.Look hard for every opportunity C.Priority D. Urgency and promptness 1.Stewards time was soon to be cut off 2.Our time and possession will soon be over (v. 9) 3.“There are martyrs of the Devil, who put to shame the saints of God, and running as they do with more alacrity to death, than these to life” (R.C. Trench, 157).

Luke 16:1-13 I.The Parable (vv. 1-8) II.The Comments (vv. 9-13) III. The Lessons