1. Parable of the shrewd manager
1.1. Wise use of possessions
1.1.1. Smart worldly people aquire
1.1.1.1. Possessions to acquire security in this world
1.1.2. Smart people of God
1.1.2.1. Use possessions to secure more people in the next world
1.2. Unpack it
1.2.1. Jesus told his disciples: "there was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. Luke 16:1
1.2.2. So he called him in and asked him, "what is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot manage any longer." Luke 16:2
1.2.2.1. Rich man who had a manager
1.2.2.1.1. The manager had complete authority over his masters finances
1.2.2.1.2. The job called for perfect integrity
1.2.2.1.3. Mismanaged or squandered rich man's property
1.2.3. Luke 16:3 (NIV) 3 “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—
1.2.4. Luke 16:4 (NIV) 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
1.2.4.1. The manager lost his livelihood
1.2.4.1.1. Had a window of time to fix things
1.2.4.1.2. He did not want to give
1.2.4.1.3. He did not want to beg
1.2.4.1.4. After screwing things up with his boss nobody else would hire him
1.2.4.1.5. Comes up with a plan to be welcomed into everyone's house
1.2.5. Luke 16:5 (NIV) 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
1.2.6. Luke 16:6 (NIV) 6 “ ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
1.2.7. Luke 16:7 (NIV) 7 “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.’
1.2.7.1. Some say
1.2.7.1.1. He was only giving back his own share
1.2.7.1.2. He created honor for his boss by forgiving the debts
1.2.8. Luke 16:8 (NIV) 8 “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.
1.2.8.1. The master is impressed
1.2.8.2. Does not say he dd not have him thrown in jail
1.2.8.3. People stop the story there and miss the point.
1.2.8.3.1. Context Context Context
1.2.9. Luke 16:9 (NIV) 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
1.2.9.1. If the world his that smart for this life
1.2.9.2. We can be even smarter with the next life
1.2.9.2.1. Matthew 6:19 (NIV) 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
1.2.9.2.2. Matthew 6:20 (NIV) 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
1.2.9.2.3. Matthew 6:21 (NIV) 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1.2.10. Luke 16:10 (NIV) 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
1.2.11. Luke 16:11 (NIV) 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?