Success God’s Way Vol. 3 Part 5
God’s Purpose & Priority for Money
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
I. Success God’s Way
A.The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)
- Perhaps one of the most complex parables Jesus taught was the parable of the Unjust Steward. The parable explains God’s purpose and priority for money.
2. (v1-3) Rich owner discovers manager is stealing.
3. (v4-7) The steward decides to continue stealing from his boss but for his bosses debtor’s so he can influence their opinion of himself for his wellbeing in the future.
4. (v8) This is where the confusion comes in. Why did the master praise the dishonest steward for his actions?
a. God IS NOT praising dishonest behavior!
b. Before, he blew all of his money on temporal things, but now he sees that money can influence his and others future in a positive way.
5. (v9-13) “…make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail (DIE)…”
a.fail – ekleipo – to die
b. “…they may receive you into an everlasting home.”
~Your investment of finances into seeing lives changed for the kingdom will pay you dividends into eternity!
c. God is saying, “Use temporal money (unrighteous mammon- filthy lucre) to make an eternal impact on people and they will welcome you into heaven when you arrive.”
~Everything in the earth that money can buy is temporary, but the greatest use of money is to change someone’s eternity.
~Most people view money as ONLY a means to get the things they need and want. God is not opposed to you having things, but he wants our priority to be the kingdom of God. (Matt. 6:19-33)
d. (Eph. 4:28) Don’t work to live, work to give!
e. (2 Cor. 9:6-11 AMP) God provides seed to the sower so they can have to give generously.
[Pastor Lee Stokes]