WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:09.380 I owe you a confession. Last year, about this time, I was speaking on a Sunday evening, 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:19.460 and it was in the 90s, and the fact was overwhelming us, and I was praying that it would not be 00:00:19.460 --> 00:00:24.800 like that tonight. So if you were planning a day on the beach, and I ruined it by praying 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:33.700 that it would be a little cooler, my apologies, but it's nice to have it not quite so hot. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:43.299 Our passage tonight is a complicated one. It's found in Luke chapter 16, verses 1 through 18, 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:50.900 on page 875 in your pew Bibles, and I would encourage you to look it up and follow with 00:00:50.899 --> 00:00:56.979 me, because over the course of the next half hour or so, we will be referring to the text 00:00:56.979 --> 00:00:59.179 as we move through it. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:01.899 We read, 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:06.640 He, that is Jesus, also said to the disciples, 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:13.599 There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:17.379 wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:23.420 What is this I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:30.140 manager. The manager said to himself, What shall I do? Since my master is taking the management 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:36.379 away from me, I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg. I've decided what to do, 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:41.120 so that when I'm removed from management, people may receive me into their houses. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:48.680 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, How much do you owe, my master? 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:56.800 He said, A hundred measures of oil. He said to him, Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty. 00:01:57.800 --> 00:02:03.460 Then he said to another, And how much do you owe? He said, A hundred measures of wheat. 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:07.360 He said to him, Take your bill, and write eighty. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:15.719 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness, for the sons of this world are more 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:23.240 shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:30.699 yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:37.000 dwellings. One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:43.360 And one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 00:02:44.040 --> 00:02:52.160 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 00:02:53.100 --> 00:02:59.100 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:09.500 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:03:10.299 --> 00:03:12.780 You cannot serve God and money. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:19.599 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:28.219 And he said to them, You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:33.819 For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:36.959 The law and the prophets were until John. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:43.840 Since then, the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone who forces his way into it. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:51.479 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the law to become void. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:57.739 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:03.939 And he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:07.639 I told you, this is a complicated passage. 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:13.560 And before we say anything else, let's bow and ask God's leading. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:18.779 Father, we need your help. 00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:20.519 I need your help. 00:04:21.219 --> 00:04:28.439 Each one of us who listens needs your help to understand what you want us to take from this passage. 00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:34.559 Father, help us to listen to your voice. 00:04:34.739 --> 00:04:40.079 Father, I don't want folk here to listen to me, but to listen to you. 00:04:41.159 --> 00:04:46.039 And pray that you would teach us tonight through your word. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:54.640 Lord, illumine our hearts and allow us to come away from our time this evening understanding what you want for us. 00:04:55.300 --> 00:04:59.000 We pray this for our good and for your glory. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.360 In the name of our Lord Jesus, amen. 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:14.699 We moved from the three stories of Luke chapter 15, which show the great joy we can have when we recover something that has been lost. 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:23.639 Luke 15 ends with the emphasis on the loving and forgiving father and the joy he had when his wayward son returned. 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:36.000 Now, among other lessons in these parables, I think they teach us to be faithful, to care for what God has given, whether it be a coin, a sheep, or a son. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:46.959 And I believe that same theme of faithfulness carries on into these stories that we have in our passage for tonight. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:50.759 Our passage is divided into four parts. 00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:58.259 First, it's Jesus' parable or story about a shrewd manager, verses 1 through 8. 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:02.459 Second, his comments on it, verses 9 through 13. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:10.399 Third, where God's values and man's values collide, verses 14 through 17. 00:06:11.039 --> 00:06:16.139 And finally, one verse on marriage, verses verse 18. 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:21.939 Now, tonight in my comments, I'm going to focus on the first two passages. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:28.139 So, when we get fairly far down the hour and you say, well, you've only done two of these, don't be too concerned. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:32.480 The last two we will deal with more briefly. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:36.120 But let's think about this shrewd manager. 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:40.620 Let me read this passage again for you so you have it firmly in mind. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:45.199 He also said to his disciples, there was a rich man who had a manager, 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:49.339 and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:53.859 And he called him and said to him, what is this that I hear about you? 00:06:54.359 --> 00:06:57.659 Turn in your account of your management, for you can no longer be manager. 00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:01.279 The manager said to himself, what shall I do? 00:07:01.599 --> 00:07:04.659 Since my master is taking the management away from me, 00:07:04.979 --> 00:07:07.500 I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg. 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:11.739 I've decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.479 people may receive me into their houses. 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:19.420 So, summoning his master's debtors, one by one, he said to the first, 00:07:19.900 --> 00:07:21.060 how much do you owe my master? 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:23.640 He said, a hundred measures of oil. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:27.900 And he said to him, take your bill, sit down quickly, write fifty. 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:31.180 Then he said to another, and how much do you owe? 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:33.160 He said, a hundred measures of wheat. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:37.180 He said to him, take your bill and write eighty. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:43.600 Now, first thing we want to notice is that this parable, this story, 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.319 is addressed to Jesus' disciples. 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:52.960 A lot of his other parables are addressed to the Pharisees or to the Jewish people, 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:55.800 but this was addressed to the disciples. 00:07:55.960 --> 00:07:59.579 This is what he wanted his followers to hear. 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:04.719 Now, the big question is, what is the point? 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:10.979 Is Jesus actually telling us to make sly deals to defraud our employers? 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:13.079 Is that what he wants us to do? 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:16.719 I mean, at face value, that's kind of what it sounds like. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:21.180 But I think we need to dig a little deeper than that. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:27.919 We need to start by reviewing one of the basic principles of Bible interpretation, 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:32.740 and that is when we're dealing with a parable that Jesus tells, 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:34.899 he's making one point. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:38.879 He's not asking us to focus on all the details, 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:44.240 but rather to focus on the one point that he is wanting to emphasize. 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:49.460 One of my heroes of communication is Abraham Lincoln. 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:55.360 I mean, I understand that so often when Lincoln was asked a question, 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:57.720 he would answer it with a story. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.799 And I kind of tried to do that a lot in my medical practice. 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:08.339 And one of the situations which I rather regularly encountered 00:09:08.339 --> 00:09:10.439 was someone come in with pneumonia. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.339 They would be sick. 00:09:12.479 --> 00:09:13.620 They'd have a high fever. 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:15.479 They would be short of breath. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:18.459 They would be coughing up this yucky stuff. 00:09:19.099 --> 00:09:21.240 And I'd say, hmm, I think you've got pneumonia. 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:21.360 Yeah. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:27.700 And perhaps we should prescribe an antibiotic if it's a bacterial infection, 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:31.440 and hopefully that will help. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:37.160 And then in my practice we would often pray together that the Lord would take the medicine 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:40.600 and use it to cause some healing. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.639 And he often did. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:46.299 And the patient would often come back for his follow-up visit the next week. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:48.319 And he said, oh, doc, thank you. 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:49.500 I feel so much better. 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:51.940 My fever went away in the second day. 00:09:52.040 --> 00:09:53.040 I'm breathing better. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:56.180 But, you know, I'm still coughing up this really yucky stuff. 00:09:56.800 --> 00:09:59.660 And don't you think another week of antibiotic would be helpful? 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:04.759 And fortunately my patients knew me and my quirks pretty well. 00:10:05.219 --> 00:10:07.319 And I could say some pretty crazy things. 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:09.639 And they would say, oh, they're done off again. 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:13.799 But I would say, well, have you ever been to Gettysburg? 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.679 And, of course, that would throw them for a loop. 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:21.879 And they'd say, well, yeah, I visited the battlefield a couple years ago. 00:10:22.199 --> 00:10:24.899 And I said, do you remember the story of Gettysburg? 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:31.240 You know, on July 1, 1863, the battle started and it really came to its peak. 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:37.340 On July 2nd and 3rd and by July 4th, the North had won. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:41.840 Lee was retreating and the battle was over. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:49.379 But there were thousands of dead bodies on that battlefield. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:59.740 And I understand it was not until the week before Lincoln arrived in November to give the Gettysburg Address 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:04.740 that they finally had all those bodies buried. 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:07.679 Can you imagine what that was like in the summer? 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.480 My word. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:15.759 Now, honestly, I really wasn't trying to teach my patients about the Civil War. 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:22.600 But what I was trying to do was make the point that after the shooting stops, 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.120 the battle is won. 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:28.220 You don't have to keep shooting. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:33.379 And we've shot our big guns at the enemy bacteria in your lungs, 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.679 and they're all lying there dead. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:38.740 And you're coughing up all this yucky stuff, 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:41.700 but all you're really doing is cleaning up the battlefield. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:44.519 So we don't need more antibiotics. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.699 The battle is won. 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:46.779 The fight is over. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.939 Well, they got the point. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.259 They got the point. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:54.519 But I was telling that whole story to make one point. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:12:03.819 And I think Jesus is telling us this whole story about this shrewd manager to make one point. 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.579 So what is the story? 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:10.400 The steward was wasting. 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:14.840 The word is squandering his master's wealth. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:15.639 Now, it's interesting. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:18.780 If you go back to the previous story about the prodigal son, 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:25.379 that's exactly the same word that he was squandering his father's money. 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:29.680 So there's a little continuity between these two stories. 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:34.860 And the master confronts him and tells him he's soon to lose his job. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:40.580 Now, it's not clear why he didn't say, 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:44.820 you have to have your desk packed up in 30 minutes and be out of here. 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:47.159 That's the way companies do it today. 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:52.860 But a little bit reminiscent of our heavenly father, 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:56.860 who tells us that we are sinners, 00:12:57.679 --> 00:13:00.559 that we deserve his punishment. 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:05.860 The master was merciful and gave him some time, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:09.279 presumably, to repent and to turn things around. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:13.699 Did the steward do that? 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:14.980 No. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:18.539 No, he took further advantage of his master. 00:13:18.839 --> 00:13:19.980 I think that's the point. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:22.539 And started to defraud him 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:26.059 so that he could make friends who would take care of him 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:27.480 after he lost his job. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.079 Now, I have to admit, 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:35.699 it's not totally clear just how bad this guy was. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:44.840 Some people would say that the word translated dishonest 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.920 could also be translated, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.400 he did it the way the rest of the world would do it, 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.840 which admittedly often is dishonest. 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:56.780 But he was staying in line with his culture. 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.460 And others would say, 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:02.740 well, probably the master was charging exorbitant interest, 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.200 and that was against the Jewish law. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:09.600 So the steward just simply discounted the interest 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.560 that the master was charging on the loans that he had. 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:15.720 So maybe this guy wasn't as bad as it seems, 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:18.180 but I think he probably was, 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:22.680 though there's room for a little bit of question about that. 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:29.920 But I think the second question that we have to deal with is, 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:34.400 what is this trying to teach us about faithfulness? 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:37.399 The manager was not faithful to his master, 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.120 so it's a negative example. 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:44.279 Jesus later will give us a little more positive spin on it. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.579 But then the third question is, 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.899 what are we supposed to learn? 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.740 First, we should not learn to put our own interests 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.919 above those of our employers. 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:58.639 But rather, I think the point is, 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:02.099 a good manager is one who looks to the future, 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.339 considers its implications, 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:10.159 and then proactively takes steps to assure that things will go well. 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:15.179 And that's precisely what our friend in this story did. 00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:17.599 He was looking to the future, 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:20.000 he was anticipating what was going to come, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.059 and thinking about what steps he could make to improve it. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:27.519 And that, I think, is the point of the story. 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:32.080 But now let's go to the second section 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:36.919 and see what comments Jesus makes about this parable. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:42.539 Let me read again chapter 16, verses 8 through 13. 00:15:43.099 --> 00:15:48.240 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness, 00:15:48.599 --> 00:15:51.839 for the sons of this world are more shrewd 00:15:51.839 --> 00:15:55.899 in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.899 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.719 by means of unrighteous wealth, 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.639 so that when it fails, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:06.419 they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:09.259 One who is faithful in a very little 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.539 is also faithful in much. 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:14.360 And the one who is dishonest in a very little 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:17.319 is also dishonest in much. 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:21.319 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:24.620 who will entrust to you the true riches? 00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:28.159 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:31.219 who will give you that which is your own? 00:16:31.599 --> 00:16:33.860 No servant can serve two masters, 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:36.839 for either will he hate the one and love the other, 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:40.719 or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:45.099 You cannot serve God and money. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:52.459 So what is it that the master commends his manager for? 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:57.460 What does he commend him for? 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:04.180 We go to an African-American church where people talk back and forth. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.120 Come on. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:09.740 Someone. 00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:15.539 Shrewdness. 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.460 Yeah. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:19.539 He's commended for being shrewd. 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:22.039 Now, what is shrewdness? 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:26.779 Now, oftentimes we think of shrewdness in a very negative context. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:29.880 You know, the sly dealer who's sneaking around 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:35.000 and working under the covers, as it were, 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:37.579 and trying to get his own way. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:41.679 But shrewdness is actually not a negative term. 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.039 It's a rather neutral term. 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:47.559 And here, Jesus uses it in a very positive sense 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:52.139 and tells us as his followers that we are to be shrewd. 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:58.039 We are to use our brains to think through things, 00:17:58.159 --> 00:17:59.379 to strategize, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:03.359 and come up with a way to get things done. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:06.219 And Jesus challenges his listeners, 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:09.759 and for our purposes tonight, that's you and I, 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:12.559 to be shrewd. 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:16.339 Jesus says the sons of this world are more shrewd than the sons of light. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.319 And that's often true. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:21.159 But we as Jesus followers 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:26.299 are to have a gospel kingdom-centered shrewdness. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.359 And we're often missing that. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:33.740 We need to be more shrewd in the way we handle our lives. 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:36.579 So how do we handle our monies? 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:40.740 Are we handling them wisely, or do we squander them? 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:44.199 What about other areas of our lives? 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:47.000 Some of us are out of work. 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:50.519 Are we being shrewd in the way we're looking for a job? 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.699 Are we getting the help that's available? 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.399 Do we get someone to help us write our resume? 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:56.059 Do we counsel with other people? 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:59.019 Or do we just kind of sit there waiting for things to happen? 00:19:00.159 --> 00:19:01.240 Some are homeless. 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:05.139 Are we being shrewd in taking advantage of the help that's available to us? 00:19:05.719 --> 00:19:06.579 If we're sick, 00:19:07.159 --> 00:19:11.319 are we being shrewd in using the resources which God allows to us 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:13.919 to seek better health? 00:19:14.699 --> 00:19:15.659 What about the wealthy? 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:19.899 Are we being shrewd in the way we handle and invest our money 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:22.619 and using it well for the kingdom of God? 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:25.719 Jesus wants us to be shrewd. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:29.860 And that he commended in this man. 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:33.860 As a church, we need to be shrewd. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:38.000 At Trinity Baptist, as we go forth with the gospel, 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:40.680 do we think carefully about our approach? 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:44.779 I know the elders really do a lot of strategizing. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:48.539 Are we looking at the research? 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:54.480 Are we looking at and carefully evaluating the people we're trying to reach, 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:56.660 the lives we're trying to reach? 00:19:56.660 --> 00:20:01.279 Are we being very shrewd in our approach? 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.779 We need to be. 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:08.259 Because I think being shrewd is part of being faithful. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:12.119 And that's what these passages are all about. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:16.059 Now, Jesus makes a fascinating comment. 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:19.039 And I think it should intrigue us. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.599 Let me read verse 9 again. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:29.059 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:36.279 so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:41.559 Now, I can't tell you how many times I've read the book of Luke. 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:45.039 I mean, I've been a believer for over 60 years. 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:52.000 And I'm sure I've read this passage at least once a year in those times. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:56.160 And I don't think I ever paused and said, what is he saying there? 00:20:57.339 --> 00:21:00.759 But, you know, I think what he's saying is what he's saying. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:06.579 And I think we need to get ahead of a point here. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:09.960 A couple of things we need to note. 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:15.960 First of all, it talks about unrighteous wealth. 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:18.539 Does that mean all money is bad? 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.660 No, I don't think so. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:24.019 It's not necessarily good. 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:25.900 It's not necessarily bad. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:31.060 It is unrighteous because it lacks inherent righteousness in it. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.600 But that doesn't mean it's evil and bad. 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:43.440 Secondly, he's saying it's wise to use our money to make goods friends. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:50.000 In Proverbs, we read, a man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:58.340 And why is it important that we use our gifts, our monies, to make good friends? 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:01.440 And this, to me, is the fascinating and intriguing part. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.960 Why is it? 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:07.400 Because when we get to heaven, these people are going to be there to welcome us. 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:13.920 Now, we don't get a lot of insight through the scriptures as to what heaven will be like. 00:22:15.800 --> 00:22:19.900 But to me, there's a couple of things implied in that statement. 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:25.300 One, some of the friends we have on earth will still be our friends in heaven. 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:35.660 Two, some of the good things that we have done for other people on earth will be remembered when we get to heaven. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.460 That's what it says. 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:45.500 That should motivate us to use some money to make good friends. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:47.680 Because they'll be friends for all eternity. 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.640 We don't usually think in those terms. 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:58.019 I'm reminded of a song that was popular a number of years ago. 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:01.040 I think it was written by Ray Bolts. 00:23:01.560 --> 00:23:04.420 I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:08.960 We walked upon the streets of gold beside the crystal sea. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:11.180 We heard the angels singing. 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.920 Then someone called your name. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:15.580 We turned and saw a young man running. 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.800 And he was smiling as he came. 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:21.200 And he said, friend, you may not know me now. 00:23:22.060 --> 00:23:23.600 But then he said, but wait. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:27.320 And he used to teach my Sunday school when I was only eight. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:31.160 And every week he would say a prayer before the class would start. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:36.140 And one day when you said that prayer, I asked Jesus in my heart, 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:39.220 Thank you for giving to the Lord. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.800 I am a life that was changed. 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:44.140 Thank you for giving to the Lord. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.320 I'm so glad you gave. 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:49.880 Then another man stood before you and said, 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:55.040 Remember the time a missionary came to your church and his pictures made you cry? 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:58.240 You didn't have much money, but you gave it anyway. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:02.519 Jesus took the gift you gave and that's why I'm here today. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:07.160 One by one they came, as far as the eye could see. 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:11.819 Each life somehow touched by your generosity. 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:16.180 Little things that you had done, sacrifices made, 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:21.099 unnoticed on the earth, in heaven now proclaimed. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:25.039 And I know up in heaven you're not supposed to cry. 00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:30.099 But I'm almost sure there were tears in your eyes. 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:34.619 As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord, 00:24:35.179 --> 00:24:36.019 he said, 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:38.399 My child, look around. 00:24:39.199 --> 00:24:41.079 Great is your reward. 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:44.159 Thank you for giving to the Lord. 00:24:44.719 --> 00:24:46.839 I am a life that was changed. 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:49.599 Thank you for giving to the Lord. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:52.439 Lord, I'm so glad you gave. 00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:56.879 People will be welcoming us into heaven. 00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:58.619 What a thought. 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:02.519 Now, in the next verse, verse 10, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:06.699 Jesus speaks to our being faithful in our use of money. 00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:09.319 It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 4. 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:14.219 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:16.899 Just what the guy in our parable wasn't. 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:21.840 God is much more interested in how faithful we are 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:25.160 in how we handle his things 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:27.900 than how many of his things we have. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:30.860 We tend to emphasize how much wealth we have. 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:34.420 He emphasizes our faithfulness. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:36.720 And here he makes three major points. 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:42.400 First, what does Jesus say is the opposite of faithfulness? 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:44.740 What does he compare faithfulness to? 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.680 Waste. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.240 Not in the passage. 00:25:57.180 --> 00:26:00.720 If you're not being faithful, you are being dishonest. 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.360 Wow. 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:05.540 If we're not being faithful, we're being dishonest. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:09.779 One very real sense. 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:14.139 If we're not managing the monies God has given to us well, 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.799 we're stealing from God. 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:18.259 Second point. 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:21.480 One reason God entrusts money to us 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:23.799 is a test to see if we are capable 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:27.619 of handling the much more valuable spiritual resources 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:29.639 he could entrust to us. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:34.300 If you would like to do true spiritual work 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:37.660 and have an impact for God's eternal kingdom, 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:40.360 start by managing your money well. 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:44.460 Now, what might be those spiritual resources 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.740 he's talking about here? 00:26:46.080 --> 00:26:47.640 Let me just give you three examples. 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.920 Evangelism. 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:52.360 If you would like to be more effective in your evangelism, 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.140 manage your money well. 00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:55.560 Prayer. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:59.960 If you would like to be more effective in your prayer life, 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.779 manage your money well. 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.379 Some do counseling. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:07.579 If you want to be able to counsel people effectively 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:10.319 for God and his kingdom, 00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:12.419 start by managing your money well. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:16.259 These are some of the things that he will give us 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:19.039 to those who manage well. 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:23.500 And third, he reminds us that all too easily 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.440 money can become a god. 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:27.159 Something we worship. 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.899 And there is no way we can worship God 00:27:29.899 --> 00:27:32.579 and money at the same time. 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:35.000 It's pretty easy for us to slough it off. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.339 It's, ah, I don't worship money. 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.720 But we need to look at our hearts. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.960 We need to look at our attitudes. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.480 We need to look at our actions 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:43.879 and ask how much we do. 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:48.220 So those are Jesus' response 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:53.019 to the parable of the shrewd steward. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:55.079 We move to section three. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.799 Let me read it again. 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.480 Verses 14 through 17. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:01.200 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:03.799 heard all these things and they ridiculed him. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.980 And he said to them, 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:08.539 You are those who justify yourselves before men, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:11.279 but God knows your hearts. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:13.519 For what is exalted among men 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.720 is an abomination in the sight of God. 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:18.559 The law and the prophets were until John. 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:21.500 Since then, the good news of the kingdom of God 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.159 is preached, 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:24.819 and everyone forces his way into it. 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:28.299 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:31.980 than for one dot of the law to become void. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:34.900 In this section, 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:38.500 we're reminded to be faithful to God's word. 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:41.380 Even though the parable and teaching 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:44.220 were addressed to his disciples, 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.299 there were Pharisees standing around, 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:49.839 and now he enters into a dialogue with the Pharisees. 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:51.960 It's interesting that 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:56.240 in many of the interactions with the Pharisees, 00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:00.759 they were accusing him of being too lax in the way he lived. 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:04.299 Eating with publicans and sinners and drinking 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:08.200 and all these things they were criticizing him for. 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:11.039 But now when it comes to their pocketbooks, 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:14.740 they're accusing him of being way too rigid. 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:20.099 They didn't want to hear this type of rigid thinking 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.519 on their finances. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:25.039 And while they were trying to justify 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:27.119 their own wealth, 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:30.500 Jesus reminds them that God sees right through them. 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:34.159 He understands how much they love their money. 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:37.500 And he was accusing them in that sense 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:39.599 of not truly loving God. 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:42.720 Because remember, he said you can't love God and money. 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:48.259 So if he accuses him of loving their money, 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:51.960 he is accusing them of not loving God. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:55.460 Which the Pharisees would not take well. 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:58.620 His knowledge is that a new day has come. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.220 He's preaching the kingdom of God. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:04.539 He's proclaiming this new way. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:08.779 But he says that does not invalidate the law. 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.980 Now I think in context, 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:14.480 we can say he's probably referring to the law 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:17.299 of the Old Testament in regards to finance. 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:21.279 I don't think he's necessarily referring to all of the law. 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:23.980 But the law that has to do with money. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:29.099 And he tells them that they are to be faithful 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:32.279 to the word of God in their finances. 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:36.279 Now Jesus doesn't go on to explain things further. 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.259 So I won't try to either. 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:42.220 But then he comes to section four. 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:46.440 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:52.539 And he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:58.299 Now here, before leaving the subject of faithfulness, 00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:01.339 Jesus makes one more point and says 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:04.559 we are to be faithful to our marriage vows. 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:06.960 In context of our passage, 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:10.819 I think this means that we are to be shrewd 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:14.740 in the way we handle our marriages too. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.700 To be faithful, 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:20.539 we need to be thinking through the implications of what we're doing. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:23.720 We need to think about what's coming down the line 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:27.539 if we're going to be faithful in our marriage. 00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.480 Excuse me. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:34.819 Here too, he's speaking to the Pharisees 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:36.819 and makes the point that their thinking 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:38.839 was not the same as God's thinking. 00:31:39.360 --> 00:31:41.740 In a culture where divorce is common, 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:43.720 even among followers of Jesus, 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:49.120 sometimes it's done for what I think can be argued as biblical reasons. 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:53.339 Other times, divorce is purely a selfish act. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:57.640 But here Jesus is not specifically talking to divorce, 00:31:58.140 --> 00:32:00.140 but to the question of remarriage. 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:03.220 And since the context of faithfulness, 00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:07.259 I believe the issue is how should remarriage be viewed 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:10.880 in the context of our original marriage vows. 00:32:11.520 --> 00:32:13.480 Now here there are many interpretations, 00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:16.800 and the literature on this in the Christian world is vast. 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:20.000 As different people, I have different views. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:28.460 My personal thought is that when it says woman divorced from her husband, 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:32.559 that may well refer to a woman who initiates a divorce 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:37.440 for inadequate non-biblical reasons in God's eyes, 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:40.160 and she is still married in God's eyes. 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:43.099 And if she marries someone else, 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:46.099 she forces him to commit adultery. 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:51.019 And I think that's the gist of what is being said there. 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:55.079 But I believe that's an extremely complicated question, 00:32:55.879 --> 00:33:01.459 and I think at Trinity we're happy to defer that to the elders 00:33:01.459 --> 00:33:07.559 as they counsel with individuals on this very difficult subject. 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:12.299 So we've covered a lot of territory in Luke 16 to this point, 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:17.659 from a shrewd manager to Jesus' teaching on being faithful in our finances 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:21.159 to our being faithful to the Old Testament law 00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:27.440 to our being faithful to God's teaching on marriage and remarriage. 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:34.720 The overarching principle is that we must be shrewd and faithful to the Lord in all things. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:39.900 But we don't do it. 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:48.220 I don't do it, and I don't think any of us can say that we are as faithful as we should. 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:50.980 But there's still good news, 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:55.539 and the good news I can share with you from 2 Timothy, 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:57.779 that if we are faithless, 00:33:58.879 --> 00:34:00.639 he remains faithful. 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:05.879 And if we're not faithful in the way we manage our finances, 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:08.619 the way we respond to God's word, 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:11.460 and the way we are in our marriages, 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:16.699 yet we can be so grateful that God is faithful. 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.079 Let us pray. 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:22.079 Father, 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.139 Father, 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:25.599 we thank you 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:30.039 for your faithfulness to us. 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.239 It is by your grace, 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:36.079 certainly not by what we deserve, 00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:37.920 for we are so often unfaithful. 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.960 But Lord, we want to do better. 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:45.360 We pray that we would be shrewd 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:47.980 in the way we conduct ourselves, 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:51.760 take time to think about what things mean, 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.579 to be careful, 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:57.079 to build for the future, 00:34:57.980 --> 00:35:01.780 to use the brains you've given us, 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:04.200 to depend on your spirit, 00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:05.380 to guide us, 00:35:06.160 --> 00:35:08.480 so that we make wise choices. 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:11.440 We want to handle our finances well. 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:14.079 We want to be faithful to your word. 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:16.179 Those of us who are married 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:19.179 want to be faithful to our marriage vows. 00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:22.519 But Father, even when we fail, 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:25.019 we thank you that you are faithful 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:28.900 and that you will never forsake us. 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:33.760 We give our thanks and ask your help. 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:36.619 In our Lord's name, amen. 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:41.119 Let's take a moment to celebrate God's faithfulness.