A Good Example Of A Bad Example The Prudent Prodigal Luke 16:1-13

I. Context

Prodigal, Lk.15Steward, Lk.16 Inherited moneyEntrusted w. money Lived for present Wasted / lost allWasted / lost some No real friendsBought friends Talked to himself Repented / returnedRetirement plan Received by fatherPraised by boss Salvation of sinnersService of saints

Incompetent? Dishonest? (v.2) “What shall I do?” (v.3) Who would trust him w. another job? Unfit for physical labor Ashamed to beg

“I know!” (v.4-7)  Discounts for master’s debtors  Quickly: desperate to secure future  Debtors: eager to save money  Debtors now owe manager Brief window of opportunity His life at stake

His master commends him (8)  NOT for treachery  NOT for wastefulness  BUT FOR ‘smarts’ Wisely, cleverly Foresight: provided for future Wisely, cleverly Foresight: provided for future

Manager used master’s money to buy earthly friends (9)  Master’s money gains eternal friends “What is another’s” (10-12)  Everything we have is God’s Pharisees (13-14): devoted to… Money God

I. Context II. Characters

world Children of world are often more Prudent in pursuing plans. Jn.12:6 2. Passionate in practicing plans. 3. Persistent in promoting plans. light Children of light...  Make no plans...?  General principle

I. Context III. Conclusions II. Characters

1. Steward is accountable for way he manages blessings, Body, 2 Co.5:10 2. Money, 1 Tim.6:17 3. Friends, Lk.12:33; 18:22; Mt.25 Rich man did not make a friend of Lazarus – to his loss

2. We cannot live merely for the present, 3 1. Possess goods 2. Will lose all 3. Must prepare for that time 4. Must use what we have now Teaching: Pro.2:3-4, study, file, teach Elders (wives): know Scrip., people… Children: warn, train… 2 T.1:5; 3:15

3. Worldly people pursue worldly goals; do they outdo us? 8 More zealous than I? Do I spend as much 1. Determine to do better. 2. Remember what is at stake. Lk.13:26; 17:32 Time Money Energy On spiritual things As on hobby? sports?

4. Faithfulness is often measured by little things, 9-10 Lv.10; 2 Sm.6 Hot temper Grudges Apathy Mt.25 Time Waste 15 min./day: 328,500 seconds/year 5,475 min./year hours/year days/year Waste 15 min./day: 328,500 seconds/year 5,475 min./year hours/year days/year

5. Choose masters carefully, 13 not and Manager could not please master and debtors  Cannot waste master’s goods and please him too  Cannot please himself and his master  World cannot satisfy, Lk.12  World’s success is not eternal, Lk.16