The Farmer
Farmer’s cow gave birth to twins. “Martha, we should give one of these calves to the Lord” “We’ll raise one for ourselves and raise one for the Lord. We’ll feed them the same and treat them the same…and when the time comes to bring them to market we’ll decide which one is the Lord’s." And so they did, and the calves grew and prospered through the summer.
Then one day the farmer came in from the fields looking very gloomy.
“What’s the matter dear” asked the farmers wife. “A terrible thing has happened” replied the farmer “ – the Lord’s cow has died.”
The Steward.
In our Scripture this morning Jesus tells a story of an unjust manager.
It is clear that Jesus thinks he’s a rat. It is also clear Jesus is impressed with him…and thinks we as believer’s should follow suit. Jesus story of the unjust manager is a story of how money is used to make friends.
He is speaking not just on a literal level, but also on a spiritual level
Jesus shows us this concept: Using money to gain eternal rewards:
Jesus wonders why so many believers haven’t figured this out.
We find that Jesus talks about money quite frequently. He wasn’t at odds with having money, dealing with money, using money. He was at odds with those who value it above God and those who misused what was entrusted to them.
When we talk of stewardship that encompasses many aspect of life
-Time
-Work ethic
-Relationships
But here, today, Jesus is specifically talking about money.
Today we see Jesus showing us the proper place of money in our lives and we find it shocking, shocking that he commends the manager
– just as the people of Jesus day found it shocking.
Let’s look closely and see why Jesus commends the man and how we are to follow suit.
First, A Few Things To Understand. Before looking at this story we need to understand: A Life Committed To God….Means Everything is committed to God – That includes all our money. When I become born again, When I give my life over to Jesus Christ, when I become a disciple of Jesus - All of who I am is now in the possession of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have given my life – for a new life. That is not simply my soul it is everything - the can of WD40 in the garage - everything. No Exceptions.
When we “give” money to a charity, in the sense of the Gospel. We are not giving - but managing. It is not ours anyway – since everything is God’s. So we are taking care of what we are given.
Looking at the Manager.
In this story, we are in the same position as the Manager in the story. We have at our disposal many things and in some way, as we look at this story, realize we are the manager. In the sense that we have been given life and all our stuff to manage.
Let’s look at the manager in the story. He’s a bum – but, at least he’s honest with himself. Verse 3.
Digging was thought of as the lowest form of labor. Begging is life on the street. He realizes he hasn’t managed well and so he’s been fired.
Some people are good with money – others aren’t - so it goes.
Story – Overdraft.
Katie worked for banks for years. When overdraft was new, they had a ton of people sign up. Some people, went to the overdraft limit right away. When the bank reminded them of their debt they replied: "You mean we have to pay it back?" They thought it was free money.
Some people are good with money – others aren’t, and I gues some are clueless. this is not what Jesus is talking about, good investments. He’s talking about something more.
Now what does the manager do? He calls in those who have debts and
reduces them by 30%, the amounts differ, but the value is the same, it averages about 1 years wages. good money. These were huge business loans, making your mortgage look small, and what he did was legal – yes indeed. He was acting in owners place, he was still the manager after all - in the same way, we have the right to use the money God has given us.
He has used what was entrusted to him, to make others indebted to him. When he is thrown out they will welcome him because of his geberousity. “So good to see you Mordici, my friend’ . In fact these businessmen – They may hire him later. In other words: He is leaving his old life and starting a new life. Life on earth. Life in heaven.
Looking at the Owner
Why does the owner commend him? this was a common theme in ancient stories. Craftiness is honored, even if used against you. The owner is in an awkward position. The manager – made him look very generous, he is the talk of the town. "Jacob! What a wonderful man he is!" For the owner – To legally pursue him would make owner look like a scoundrel.
Is Jesus telling us to steal ….. as long it is legal? No.
8 “The master commended the dishonest manager
because he had acted shrewdly.
For the people of this world
are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind
than are the people of the light.
9 I tell you,
use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves,
so that when it is gone,
you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Jesus wanders why we haven’t figured this out - When this louse has
- We have been given money to manage, so use it to advance the kingdom of God – be creative.
But we are not creative, we are not risky, we play it safe. And the kingdom of God suffers.
So when we speak of giving we can refer to
Matt 22:17-22
Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them,
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
Some folks might say: I tithe, I give 10% of my income to further the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ….because the first 10 percent is God’s money. Fantastic. Very generous….but not true. The first 100 percent is God’s money. We get into the concept of what do I owe God. God has been so generous, he has given me all I have. How can I show my gratitude?
But Jesus is showing us a totally different concept a different way of thinking about money. He talks about using money to secure spiritual things. Wow. If realize all my financial net worth is God’s I look at the future differently, don’t I?
Plan for large purchases,
Plan for college,
Plan for retirement,
Plan for funeral,
Plan for estate, the end of the line...
Jesus says – why having you figured this out? Use your money for eternal things.
Verse 10
10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little
can also be trusted with much,
and whoever is dishonest with very little
will also be dishonest with much.
That’s pretty clear. But remember this is in the context to the kingdom of God not just finances. One can be good at investments, but not at investments in the kingdom of God.
Verse 11
Real riches
Here’s the key!
11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,
who will trust you with true riches?
What are true riches? Pretty Simple. What can you take with you to heaven? Not stuff. What will we see there? Actions you have taken.
People’s lives touched you have touched in the name of Jesus. We have been told to give for many reasons and it usually tied in with someone’s financial goal.
Jesus tells us differently, not so you get money more money back (invest in the kingdom of God and grow rich and all that nonesense), Not because it’s just what your supposed to do, Not because you need to do your part, Not because it’s the law, but because you are foolish not to.
You know the Pharisees Tithed. Everything. They were exact, even tithing on their herbs. Tithing is a symbol of our lives saying, all belongs to God. But you can tithe and still be owned by money/ Pharisees had no real compassion for poor 11:42, the loved money 16:14. They sneered at Jesus. It’s absurd to use material things to gain spiritual things! Oh is it?
Jesus clearly thinks material thing can be used for spiritual gain.
Specific ways people accomplish this: The obvious: Giving money to Christian ministries: Support a compassion child; Support our congregation. That is a no-brainer.
The long term: Endowment: Mission: Mission program perpetually funded. Third grade kids: bibles every year. Program: VBS Fully paid for. Education: Annual seminar on biblical teaching funded. Worship: Choir, music paid for.
We are almost 100 years old – where are these endowments? Have we considered the next generation? I submit to you – we have not. Why haven’t we figured this out yet?
Princeton Seminary, Columbia Seminary.
Both had in the year 1942 – 5 million. Today, Princeton has about - 1 Billionin endowment, Columbia - 5 million. Who has been wise in using their funds? How do you think Matt & Elizabeth can afford Seminary? They have money given them by the Seminary. God bless those who made this happen. I hope they appreciate it.
The everyday: Using money to make friends / ministry.
A neighbor – overwhelmed – take her kids, go to McDonalds. I had a friend, Brian who had a ski boat – takes people skiing. Not simply evangelism. Not for check list. Thinking – how can I invest for Christ
because this is how we are called to live.
Notice: it is not: How vast your pile of money is. If I had all that money….No it is about, managing what you have.
Story - Bible Smuggling Man.
Brother Andrew – as a teen thought that was cool. So I sent him money. It was, you know, Secret Agent kind of stuff. At one p[oint I had a call – Brothe Andrew is coming to town, can he stay at your house? I’ll have to ask my mom – I was 16 “you’re just a kid? – what a joke, I gave very little, (about $40 a month) what were other giving?
Not sacrificial.
This is not about mind numbing figures, exact percentages. No exacting, worrying about herbs. It is all about how can use what I have to minister in the name of Jesus.
Start with five dollars. What can five dollars do?
Story – UPS Cookie man.
Took his money and made awesome chocolate chip cookies. Had placed these on his desk. First one was free. After that – memorize a bible verse. Boss – you must stop. So he went in to talk with the boss
with a plate of cookies. Wow these are great! Boss goes crazy! the cookies came back along with Scripture memorization. What do you know about that. He took his money and reatively invested for the kingdom of God.
Let me end with this:
Ephesians 5
15 Be very careful, then, how you live
— not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
