Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

How do you think about money? You may think: I need more! We all need money to get through life, but how we think about money has a lot to do with how effective our lives are. One-third of Jesus' teachings are on money – that's second only to His teachings on the kingdom of God. Jesus knows that money affects our everyday lives and He wants to change those everyday lives. His countercultural teachings have the power to change how we think. When we apply His lessons, worry and stress become freedom and peace. This week, we're going to examine four principles about possessions Jesus taught in the parable of the Unrighteous Steward, found in Luke 16:1-13. It may seem strange for Jesus to make his point using a tyrant as an example, but Jesus' parables were often intended to make us think by using ridiculous comparisons. If a man like this could understand it, how much more should we!

1. THE PRINCIPLE OF SHREWDNESS.

[Your Objective: Understand when it comes to our money God wants us to be shrewd. The definition of shrewdness in this instance is a positive one meaning to be intelligent and do the right thing at the right time.]

According to Luke 16:8 why was the dishonest manager commended? What does this verse tell us about the shrewdness of people?

Read Matthew 10:16. What direction does this verse provide regarding our behavior when interacting with others in this world?

• Why is it important to deal with financial matters in a practical and timely way while listening and waiting for God's direction?
• What does it say to the world when we are astute, wise, and insightful in the handling of our finances?
• How can we use the money we have to its best advantage and not obsess about what we do or don't have?
• What can we do to avoid procrastination which may lead to a lack of shrewdness in our financial dealings?

Discipleship (Maturity) - One of the ways we exhibit growth in our Christian life is how we deal with our money and other resources. It is neither necessary nor desirable to be naïve in order to be holy. What example are you setting by the way you spend your money? Are you being a good steward with the resources you have? Take time this week to review your financial plans and pray for God's guidance in this important area. Look for one way you can be more shrewd in your dealings and share this idea with others.

2. THE PRINCIPAL OF INVESTMENT.

[Your Objective: Learn how to invest our resources in eternity.]

According to Luke 16:9, how should we use our worldly wealth?

• What happens to our worldly wealth once the world disappears?
• When we use our money to benefit others, how long will that investment last?

Ministry - Through service we can invest our money in eternity. We can do this by using the money God entrusted to us to show others that we care enough to meet their needs. We shouldn't use money to show off, but to help others and to lead them to Christ. Money is neutral; how we use it can be good or bad. Share among your group times when you invested your worldly money in eternity or ideas on how you can use your money to invest in eternity. What are you going to do to invest in eternity this week? Ask for God's guidance in using your resources.

3. THE PRINCIPLE OF TRUST.

[Your Objective: To become more trustworthy with what God has blessed us.]

How is the principle of trust explained in Luke 16:10a and 11?

• Discuss examples of the "little" or "small" things as referred to in the above verses.
• What is revealed about us in the way we manage seemingly insignificant tasks or resources?
• With what type of attitude or mindset should we live out these verses?

According to Galatians 6:7, what will we reap?

• We have all seen good and bad examples of reaping what is sown. How can we ensure what we reap is God’s blessing?
• In what ways can we use what God has placed in our lives to reach others?

Evangelism (Mission) - God has made it clear that He is looking for individuals He can trust to manage the blessings He provides. Do you wonder why God is not using you in greater ways? Consider how you are doing in the "little things". How do you use what you have? Do you use it for yourself or for others in need? What skill or resource has God given you that you can use to reach someone for His kingdom? Share with the group one commitment you will make this week to act out this principle in order to reap God's eternal blessings.

4. THE PRINCIPLE OF CHOICE.

[Your Objective: Recognize how the choices we make with our money reflect our heart toward God.]

What does Luke 16:13b tell us about our service to God?

• Why can't we serve God and money?
• What are ways money can blind us to serving others and God?
• How does choosing God as our master impact the way we use our money?

From what does Hebrews 13:5 advise us to keep free? With what are we to be content? Why?

• How does the love of money entangle us?
• What happens when we decide to hate money? Discuss some examples.
• How does guilt over having money keep us from being effective?

Worship (Magnification) - The choices we make with our money can either magnify or hide God's presence. How do you feel about money? Based on your answer, what attitudes need to change for you to use money as a tool, an act of worship, in order to know God on a deeper level? Pray for one another to have wisdom regarding money choices so that you may experience freedom and contentment as God's presence is magnified in your lives.

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Conclude this week's time together by reemphasizing the need to see money as a tool given to us by God, no matter how much or how little we have.]

Financial success is not measured by how much you earn, but how you use it to impact eternity.

Each of us can use what God has put in our hands to make a difference. Don't worry about what may have happened yesterday - you can't change that. But you and I can change the way we think about God's resources today and from now on. Everyone likes things, but when we understand God gave them to us to make a difference for eternity and not just for now, our choices are affected. With Jesus' perspective on money, we begin to live in ways others may see as upside down. We learn to live in reality while looking for God's miracle; we use money, not to buy friends, but to make friends by meeting needs; we learn that God uses us to the extent He can trust us; and we learn that money is a tool to use for good.

What choice do you need to make right now? Do you know Jesus as your personal savior and Lord? If not, why not make that choice right now? If you already know Him, think about what He's given you. What do you have that God might want to use to bless others? Whether it's money, a special ability or a resource of some kind, what can you turn over to Him for eternity's sake?