PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD

Introduction:

A. If I Told You That You Would Lose Everything...

1. How would you react?

2. How would you feel?

3. What would you do?

B. Our True Character Generally Shows During Crisis.

Body: Luke 16: 1 - 13

I. Caught!

A. Not All Slavery Bad.

1. Some were well treated by their masters.

2. Some had very good positions and accumulated wealth.

B. Master learns of Manager's wastefulness.

1. Steward had become wasteful.

2. Master has entrusted servant with his goods and possessions.

3. Requires an audit of the books.

C. Planning for the future.

1. Servant knows he is going to be released (not beaten or imprisoned).

2. To proud to work or beg.

3. Rewrites the books so he will be owed favors.

D. Servant commended for being shrewd.

II. Jesus Teaching.

A. Make friends.

1. You never know when you need them.

2. The things of this life will fail.

3. This life will fail.

B. Be faithful.

1. Be careful of what you have been given.

2. We are all stewards of what God has given us.

C. Serve God.

1. We belong to and work for only one master.

2. Either we are an agent or a spy (undercover agent).

Conclusion:

A. Are We Dealing Shrewdly?

1. Taking care of the things of this world?

2. Taking care of the things of the next life?

B. Who Do You Really Belong To?