The shrewd manager

I do hope you have been inspired, blessed, encouraged, challenged, and even a bit shocked at what you’ve been hearing in these messages in the parables of Jesus. What a summer of strong preaching it has been here already. I’ll do my best this Sunday to keep that up as we look at Luke 16:1-13 and the parable of the shrewd manager. It’s a weird one in that the principal character does something that is unethical to secure a better outcome for himself. And Jesus commends his shrewdness. It’s puzzling to say the least. What Jesus intends is a primer on the wise use of money, a reoccurring theme from Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. I’m eager to get into it with you on Sunday. If you don’t want to hear a message on money, you should most definitely stay away.

Series: Simple Stories: How the parables of Jesus change everything
Todd Dugard
Message: 6 – The shrewd manager
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Luke 16:1-13
August 4, 2024

1 crisis that everyone will face… (v. 1-2)

• Nothing in this life lasts forever

2 possible fixes… (v. 3-8a)

• Foolishly waste your possessions on temporal pleasure

• Wisely invest your possessions in future glory

Shrewd – sharp-witted; have acumen; apply wisdom in a practical way; clever

3 ways to get it right… (v. 8b-9)

• Imitate the shrewdness of the world (v. 8b)

How can we manage our money for eternity?
Diligently earn it
Responsibly save it
Wisely spend it

2016 series: Jesus on Money
https://www.harvestbible.ca/sermons/?wpfc_sermon_series=jesus-on-money

• Bless others with what you have (v. 9a)

• Watch for the eternal ROI (v. 9b)

4 values undergirding it all… (v. 10-13)

• God cares about the small stuff and so should you (v. 10)

• Salvation is authenticated by how you handle money (v. 11)

Wealth has been given to us by God in trust to use in the service of others.
David E. Garland

• Everything you own actually belongs to God (v. 12)

Psalm 24:1

• God won’t compete with money for your affection (v. 13)