January 1, 2006
"Tag, You're It!"
New Year's Day 2006
Luke 16:1-15
A good idea from a bad example:
1. Confusion: manager or owner?
Jesus told his disciples: There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'"
—Luke 16:1-2
2. Clarification: investment or enjoyment?
"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg—I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'"
—Luke 16:3-4
3. Creation: a new plan of action.
So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, "How much do you owe my master?" "Eight hundred gallons of olive oil," he replied. The manager told him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred." " Then he asked the second, "And how much do you owe?" "A thousand bushels of wheat," he replied. He told him, "Take your bill and make it eight hundred." The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.
—Luke 16:5-8
4. Commendation: wise use of opportunities.
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. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
—Luke 16:8-9
5. Conclusion: We need a plan of action for the New Year.
God's character is kindness.
This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.
—Jeremiah 9:23-24
Jesus is God's demonstration of kindness.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
—Ephesians 2:6-10
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
—Titus 3:4-5
As God's children we are called to kindness.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
—Colossians 3:12
Lifework
I want to challenge you to plan deliberate acts of kindness into your daily life. I can't think of any way to make a greater impact on our community. Your life will make the deepest impression. Live such good lives among (your neighbors) that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
—1 Peter 2:12
"Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by your conduct."
—Charles Spurgeon
Tag, You're It!
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- What job would best fit your personality: Ringmaster at a circus? Owner of an electronics store? House painter? Bookstore employee? Driving instructor? Gourmet chef? Pastor? Why?
- Which of these jobs would least fit your personality? Why?
Digging Deeper: Read Luke 16:1-15
- Why is it important for the disciples of Jesus to hear the story about this man's job experience?
- In what crisis does the man find himself? Why is he experiencing this crisis? What plan does he devise to make the best of this situation?
- What about this man's plan did the owner commend? What impression do you get of the owner, based on his commendation? What does Jesus mean when he says, "Use your worldly wealth to gain friends so that they will welcome you into eternal dwellings?"
- How does Jesus summarize this man's experience? What point is Jesus seeking to make with His disciples? How do verses 10-12 help you understand His point?
- What is the problem with trying to serve two masters?
- How would you characterize the attitude of the religious leaders listening to Jesus? How does this life example relate to them? How does this life example relate to His disciples?
Applying It To My Life
- How do you view life's resources: What's yours is mine and what's mine is yours? What's yours is yours and what's mine is mine? What's mine is God's and what's God's is ours?
- What is the most effective way for you to remember that you are investing God's resources for eternal dividends? How can money be a powerful evangelistic tool?
- Who or what are some of the masters you have served in the past? What masters seek your allegiance today? How do you deal with those voices in light of your commitment to Christ and His Church?