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The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13). 1. Why does Jesus focus on the issue of money and wealth in most of his parables?. The danger of a ‘misplaced love’.

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The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

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  1. The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

  2. 1. Why does Jesus focus on the issue of money and wealth in most of his parables? • The danger of a ‘misplaced love’ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2 : 15-16)

  3. 1. Why does Jesus focus on the issue of money and wealth in most of his parables? • The comment of Martin Luther on Christian conversion: • “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind and the purse”

  4. 2. What is the larger context of this parable in Luke 16? • Jesus issued a call to Christian discipleship in Luke 14:25-35. b) Jesus illustrates the nature of Christian discipleship by using 2 parables:

  5. A disciple should have a deep love for lost sinners (Luke 15) • A disciple should use money wisely (Luke 16) • Are these 2 characteristics found in your life and my life?

  6. A) The Earthly Master’s Dismissal of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-2) • What is a ‘steward’? • The case of Joseph in the OT (Genesis 39) • The modern equivalent : a bank manager • An apt description for Christians. (Luke 16:12)

  7. What was this steward guilty of ? • A clear cut case of corruption : embezzling his master’s money. • Today we call it ‘mismanagement’ of funds.

  8. B) The Response of the Dishonest Steward to the Dismissal (16:3-7) • What special plan did the steward conceive after the sacking? • The steward had to think hard about his future • The steward came up with a brilliant plan to secure his future

  9. What are the contours of this special plan? • Harbouring the hope that the business customers will scratch his back one day (v. 4) • Making friends with the customers by giving special discounts (vv 5-7)

  10. C) The Commendation of the Dishonest Steward’s Shrewdness by the Earthly Master (16:8) • What was the reaction of the earthly master towards his steward’s plan? • Only commending the steward for his shrewdness in doing business

  11. However, not condoning the dishonesty of the steward • As one commentator puts it “We must distinguish between a clever steward who is dishonest, and a dishonest steward who is clever”

  12. 2. What comments did Jesus make about the shrewdness of the dishonest steward? • The dishonest steward knew how to make friends through money (v. 8b) • In the usage of money, the sons of this world are definitely wiser than the sons of light

  13. D) The Application of this Parable by Jesus (16:9-13) Verse 9 is the climax of this parable. How did Jesus apply this parable to his disciples? “Make friends by means of unrighteous mammon”

  14. How does mammon become unrighteousin nature? • The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10) How then can money actually become “unrighteous’? In 3 ways: • When it is acquired unethically or corruptly This is precisely what the dishonest steward did.

  15. When money becomes our master rather than our servant. • By devoting all our time and energy to it. c) When money is used purely for self-indulgence Our Lord was harping on this point in this parable.

  16. “So that when it fails…..” • What fails? Money • Money will fail one day. 1 Tim. 6:7

  17. “….they will receive you into the eternal habitations.” • Who are the ‘they’ here? • What is the meaning of ‘eternal habitations’?

  18. Conclusion • Do you and I intend to go to heaven alone? Or do we want to bring many others along with us as well?

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