Newley Spikes continues this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 16:1-13. Jesus uses the story of the shrewd manager to teach us about biblical stewardship. Newley defines a steward as a person who manages another’s resources according to the owner’s wishes and values. And as we belong to God, God defines our lives, purpose, and values. We cannot serve both God and money. Have you ever come to this decision? Will I serve God or money?

Preacher’s Main Points

• Jesus instructs his disciples to shrewdly steward their material possessions for spiritual profit. (Three applications provided)
• Faithful stewardship is a function of character, not a function of the volume of possessions.
• Faithful stewardship leads to more opportunities with increasing impact.

Key Takeaways

• Application 1: Be a shrewd steward with all that God has given you to win friends for heaven.
• Application 2: Be a faithful steward with all that God has given you.
• Application 3: Be a single-minded steward with all that God has given you.
• The shrewd manager’s implemented strategy was for his future benefit. (As disciples of Christ, how can we strategize to employ our gifts of time and money towards the Kingdom’s purposes?)
• Earthly wealth and possessions will not provide any benefit towards eternity. (Matthew 16:26 – What profit is there to gain the whole world and lose your soul?)
• Daily Reminder: Everything belongs to God.
• Someone helped you to know Jesus. Who was it? Have you ever told them how grateful you are? Can you be that person for someone else?
• Our hearts benefit by seeing the work of Christ in others and their consequent joy, especially when we get to play a part in that glorious work. (Desire to be a righteous instrument of God.)
• As co-heirs with Christ, we have an eternal inheritance.
• You cannot serve both God and money. It is either one or the other.
• Our intellect and emotions are involved concerning which we will serve (God or money).
• We can be so easily distracted and drift from godly stewardship.
• By God’s amazing grace, the Gospel invades our lives, and we begin, through the Holy Spirit, to willfully serve God.
• Jesus disciples are to be faithful stewards.
• Live a life of repentance and faith. Always remember the unlimited resources of God’s grace through the Gospel.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Do I understand the meaning of biblical stewardship? Recall the definition provided. (A steward is a person who manages another’s resources according to the owner’s vision and values.)
• Do I consider my life, talents, and possessions all a part of God’s entrusted stewardship? How am I to use these things to achieve the purpose for life? (To glorify God by enjoying Him forever)
• Where is my heart today? What is my treasure? (Matthew 22:37)

Community Group application:

• Share personal stories with one another about either serving God or money at different times in your life. What were the specific things, people, and/or events involved?
• How are we doing faithfully: giving, spending, saving, taking care of and investing in others?

Take some time to encourage and pray for one another.

Passages Referenced

Luke 16:1-13; Matthew 7:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Exodus 20:3; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 6:33; Deuteronomy 8:11-14; James 4:4; 1 Chronicles 29

Worship Set List

Ancient Gates, How Great Is Our God, Oh Praise The Name, At The Cross (Love Ran Red), I Surrender All (Am I Am)