Shrewd

Is the sons of light, who are money lovers instead of teaching their children the proper perspective on money. The only tease them to London and hang onto it were rated instead of focusing on relationships and investing to build them and watch them fall apart in the blame. The charge that you can do everything right, but you kids want to go off the deep end it will please stop blaming God because your son, your daughter went off to college and met some professors want know the know you can do anything this the professor more generous in the came back and saw stingy reading this worry.

Would you rather be generous. Misunderstand the causes are foolish. The causes of their more generous than Christians guess was more attractive to somebody was 21 years old. I'm here to save the world and these people save the world. My mom and dad in the charge people mandamus in the and so finding true purpose in life going to live selfish and self-centered lives instead of investing in God's eternal kingdom only live for the here and now instead of being a solid testimony for Christ to repel the lost world registered a portion of the upcoming message titled true Pastor Abbott on shop church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview goal is simple. Make Christ visible from the when we worship to the reserve we love one another.

Come check us out at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson or visit us online. I Clearview B.org and join us for the rest of this week's message.

Have you ever heard someone say so-and-so's book smart but not streetsmart right was at me.

It means someone has a lot of books says they just don't have much common sense right so. Also, many times are Christians who have a lot of good books since spiritual knowledge they can talk about the Old Testament and the New Testament the know how church history has worked to know how churches are run they understand the gifts of the spirit in all this kind of stuff but somehow they are a failure when it comes to relational and financial decisions doesn't make any sense. You would think that if you're saved, you have the Holy Spirit, God is with you. You're going to heaven. Your eternity is secure.

So in this live relationship should be man you the best decisions financially you're making the best decisions but unfortunately that's not always the case this morning were going to learn what it means to be shrewd. None of that word immediately invokes a negative connotation. Shrewd seems like somebody who is clever or somebody who is cutting really somebody who's taking advantage of someone else. But in this message were in the parable as series of Jesus in this message. Were going to learn how to be shrewd and this is not a negative thing is actually very positive.

So if you have your Bibles with you, turn to Luke chapter 16 starting in verse one and let's once again stand together for the reading of God's word. He meeting Jesus also said to his disciples. There was a certain rich man who had a steward. Now we all have an idea what is stored is somebody who manages and and is careful about resources. You know, penny pincher. That's what comes to our minds, but I pray that this morning you will temporarily suspend those ideas.

There was a certain rich man who had a stored in an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods so he called them and said to him, what is this I hear about you give an account of your stewardship for you can no longer be steward than the steward said within himself, what shall I do for my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig. I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do that when I am put out of the stewardship. They may receive me into their houses. What is he do his scheme is verse five. So he called every one of his master's debtors to him and said to the first, how much do you owe my master. He said 100 measures of all. So he said to him, take your bill sit down quickly and right 50 that he said to another. How much do you owe so he said 100 measures of wheat, and he said to him, take your bill and right 80, the First Lady would expect the master to be angry to call the authorities. But to the contrary, the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly.

He does not condemn him. He actually praises him for listening this for the sons of this world. Jesus says, for the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light verse nine and I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home the who is faithful and what is least is faithful also in much. And he who is unjust and what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful. Listen to this. If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches parables reflect who we are. Are you a wise steward or are you a foolish one and are you saved. No amount of money can get you into heaven, we all know that we do not know Christ right now if you would bow your heads very simple. You can't pay your way into heaven.

Jesus has already paid it all is simply by saying Jesus. I believe that you are the son of God who came and died for my sins, and you rose again the third day, and I believe that you died for my sins and I need you to come into my life and be my Savior, I repent and ask you to take over your marketing and I will follow you. The rest of my life as you help me not previously in this series, you heard me say that this parable or that parable is one of the most difficult parables you heard me say that right or this morning.

This is not one of the most this is the most difficult parable that Jesus preached so let's review the story again is stored has been fired for wasting his master's goods.

But before he cleans his office before he takes everything out of his locker. He decides to take advantage of his axis to the Masters financial records and he pardons part of the debts that people owed his ex-boss. Keep in mind is already fired. He should be vacating the premises what he does is he goes and finds the Masters financial ledgers and goes down the list of names of people who own money to his ex-boss and he calls them in and he begins to pardon part of their debts. He starts with the first one. If you noticed, and in verse five he says how much do you owe my master and he said he hundred measures of oil so he said to him, take a bill sit down quickly and right 59 and some math on that those numbers to cut off 50 measures would be about 400 to 500 gallons of oil and then he doesn't stop there. He goes the next one. Verse seven then he said to another, how much do you owe and he said he hundred measures of wheat needs as takeoff 20 he keeps going down the list and he begins to pardon his ex-boss's debtors.

But here's a question, why in the world did he do that I may if he needed money. All he had to do was he probably still had the keys to the treasury he should've gone to the back room and taken some money and stuffed his pockets so he could use it when he was without a job which he was already without a job. Why in the world and he embark on this elaborate scheme is very simple. He was not a thief because if he was caught stealing what would happen to him. It would been punished thrown in prison right but he is not stealing.

Why in the world did he do this very simple he was doing favors he was doing favors on his ex-boss is expands so he could cash in later when he was jobless. I think about it for a moment, good or bad on the surface. What a horrible thing to do, but what is the Masters reaction. This is this really troubles is listen to verse eight, so the master was the word, and him the what is a pineal because I was like you know what this is not right. It's got to be something in the Greek. Guess what the word a pineal means commended. He praised him. He praised the unjust steward, by the way, unjust, does not mean wicked.

Keep that in mind, the Greek word means somebody who is a man of the world, the master praised this man of the world because he had to do it dealt shrewdly by the way that words shrewd in the Greek. I went to the Greek a lot this time is like I don't get it Lors gotta be something in the Greek.

Guess what the word is the word is for Ronnie Moss is the same word that Jesus used in Matthew chapter 724 when he said whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a Wiseman same exact word, no condemnation. The boss actually ex-boss actually commands him for being wise for being prudent. What in the world is happening. Why did you do that. Think about it for a moment the boss is so impressed he says in authority behind you should get out of this place, but it's pretty interesting what you did you steal from me, but think for a moment. Simultaneously he benefited three different people. First, he benefited himself right. He did favors so they can later on say hey man, you remember the time you can pay your bills but I cut your your debt into half you remember the time you can pay your bills.

I give you 20% Brightview member that so he benefited himself, who is the second party that he benefited a lot of smart people in this place is the second party benefited the debtors.

I mean, what would you rather pay hundred percent or 50%. But guess who else he benefited the boss I be a lot of business owners able would you rather have someone not pay your bills or someone at least pay half of please give me half the cash flow starts coming in. So the boss walks in and so safe.

How dare you, is a man that's a pretty smooth move. Very cool.

Now this doesn't sound right. Others like this could not be in the Bible. Guess what Jesus says in verse eight for the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation. Then the sons of light.

Just when you think Jesus is going to say this is so wrong. He says no lost people are wiser and using money than God's people are the ones you get saved you should be the best, most wise, best to words whatever whatever. Jesus is the opposite what he saying is sometimes the sons of the world the loss. Those who do not know God don't believe in God, more wise sense about money and relationships than people who claim to be leaders in God.

Of course, people have tried to explain this point in every palatable way.

Some said Jesus would never would never come such a behavior Jesus would never come in lost people over say people that's not possible to listen to verse nine and I say to you, what is he say make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. Just when you want to say Jesus that's not what you are exactly what he meant make friends with this filthy lucre so that when you fail when you're on the bottom, they will receive you are day. Of course friends, people God.

Angels are no they will receive you into everlasting home. Another word Jesus was telling his listeners use money to make friends so that when life does not go as planned. Your wise investments would keep helping you not again.

Some people have claimed not possible Jesus must be using sarcasm I mean how could Jesus say keep using this to make friends what what we always harden our lives when you can buy your friend is just fair weather friends. Jesus said use this to make friends. So many on the bottom you can have someone to take you into everlasting home is here there and beyond is a sarcasm visit irony that he is using well let's keep reading to verse 12. Listen to what is. I'm sorry verse 10 Jesus says he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much. And he who is unjust and what is least is unjust also in much. Not to be careful that word faithful does not mean trustworthy in this context. Faithful means are you listening. It means using this to the best of your ability, making the most use of it. Listen again.

He who makes the most use a fit of the most will also make the most use of it of the least, but on the other hand, he who is unjust again unjust does not mean unrighteous lost unjust means you do not know how to use money. Please listen very carefully getting saved does not mean you know how to use money getting saved does not mean that tomorrow your marriage can be perfect. Getting saved does not mean that you will know exactly how to raise your children getting saved does not meet tomorrow.

Your business starts flourishing and volume making network connections is just a booming tank. No, you don't know before and I don't know later unless some changes are made without make up the stuff Jesus said listen to verse 11. Therefore this this really pretty much kills. Therefore, if you have not been faithful once faithful means using this to the best of your ability. If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon mammon.

That word means Almighty, Almighty money. There was no such God may mammon all that word mammon really means is is like a slang word for the almighty dollar. Listen again to verse 11. Therefore, if you have not been faithful. You have not used this unrighteous mammon to the best of its ability. Your ability who will commit to your trust was a set somehow your spiritual life, the riches that God wants to give you financially or spiritually.

There is a connection and how you spend this money listen to verse 12 and if you have not been faithful in what is another man's who will give you what is your role. Why do you think you should be rich, just got your saved. Listen to verse 13 no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other, the key word there is love, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and mammon are here we begin to have some light on the subject. You cannot what is it again, you cannot knows no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

If you love money. You will also worship it, it will become your God. You will do anything for it that follows when you love.

Listen again to that verse 13 no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one, or love, the other sleep you say I love money, you may not say it but that's how you live, you worship it you cannot serve both God and mammon evokes nothing in this Bible tells us that money is evil. You will find a verse in the Bible is his money is evil is not there.

What is there. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Listen to what it says in first Timothy chapter 6 and verse 10 for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Using this group right here may also have some lost people don't misunderstand me. Just because your loss does not mean you have money sense a lot of lost people are here to so don't misunderstand, doesn't mean that only say people love money and it doesn't mean that only lost people use money because there is this church is an anomaly discharge loves to get was awesome. The people in this place who are very generous there constantly giving the cost of doing their using money so don't misunderstand. There are say people in this group on an average asking this question, the world's biggest greatest philanthropist lost people that they give to some of the most foolish causes will have this big white tie affair.

They have this in their tuxedos and have a comedian or some singer set up there and their writing checks for millions of dollars to two auto save some endanger something on the moon. Guess what, they have more networks they have more friends in my right arm are all helping our folks. It is true, then out of the relationship with the Christians do. All you need to hang on to the dollar, you got Sonny to keep it right here because you need on a rainy day that dollar runs out real fast in a rainy day you set your own son and your daughter for failure and then when there broke they look at the world and say I don't know that I don't get it.

How come they have friends they know how to build a network when they fall they have people come but we are saved. God then why is it that we don't have anything well son just because you saved does not mean that God has to bless you financially, pretty much have not only dug the hole. But you threw them in the whole and then he put the shovel and pretty much closed it up. Now the whole life they go in the tell people who just got your saved in meaning to be rich.

Is that what Jesus said he actually told us what dogs love money. Like the Pharisees do but like the lost people.

The unjust steward who actually use money, learn from them and build relationships and build friendships and build the kingdom of God. We are getting this is it making sense what Jesus was saying is learn from those sons of this world who use money to make friends. Would you like to know who Christians claim to be the best friends this people in church people just like the rest of the winning souls with big week we'll get out of the circle and thereby keep their money tight in their pocket. If you don't know how to use money properly. Why should God trust you with his true riches. That's why most churches are struggling at this one. Praise God, thank God.

And I hope things continue the same way if you cannot be trusted with little money, why should God give you more money oriented or true riches, and if you claim to serve God, stop serving money. You cannot serve both you will love one and hate the other folks what happens when you love money is upper on the board to begin to worship it. It controls your life.

It dictates how you live it decides your priorities. Of course, lost people are not immune to this, but unfortunately, many say people fall into this category and date that did chase money all their lives in the worst sorrow is not a lost person chasing money and then coming up empty. The worst sorrow.

Please listen this for a saved person who knows Jesus Christ going to heaven has the presence of the Holy Spirit has the word of God in their hand and still it's not working in their life still there marriages and the mass. Still, they don't have any friends. Still, they do not know how to raise the children.

They're not shrewd.

Heaven made investments in order Christians to hang onto every penny you have son be a good steward of horrible definition of stewardship.

This will most churches do right. The keep all the money locked up in the cemetery fund. We want to grow what you do a clear view. How do you attract all the young people are likely to be hold up signs on the street is a young people call we don't we make investments we go out to feed the hungry. We go to the worst parts and be safe were here to show the love of Christ were here to help the poor, the sick, the needy when I get a judge you. We don't care we don't care what checks you're getting were here to feed and help enclose the right and people keep coming because were cooperating with God in reaching his world and God takes care of our needs. This is very important for us to understand what churches do what Christians do is, we simply condemn the lost rich and we often talk about Bureau.

There is no U-Haul behind the hearse when you tell that the Christians more than retail that the lost people. Hey listen church people yet there is no U-Haul behind the hearse.

When are you taking it.

Forget about the these people I'm talking to the same people you can take it with you is the sons of light, who are money lovers instead of teaching their children the proper perspective on money. The only tease them to love it and hang onto it. A rainy day itself, focusing on relationships and investing to build them. They watch them fall apart in the blame the charge or you can do everything right but you know if your kids want to go off the deep end it will I'm thinking please stop blaming God because your son, your daughter went off to college and then met some professors you are know the he turned him against the coherent do you think this the professor more generous in the came back and saw stingy, greedy Christians guess where he would you rather be with a generous once and so finding true purpose in life. The only live selfish and self-centered lives instead of investing in God's eternal kingdom only live for the here and now instead of being a solid testimony for Christ. They repel the lost world is a reason why were not making an impact in the world. Specially the lost world that has some affluence is any wonder that God does not give us any true riches is any wonder that many of God's people are living beggarly lives is any wonder that many of God's children are peers with many sorrows. Is there any wonder that we are not winning the lost world were not building God's kingdom is what these guys were doing. They were traveling land and sea to make one convert but they were making them more a child of guess what these people are doing just awake that he is God. Say, what do you do either Jesus, I am going to restore from everybody have stolen and from whom I've taken little but I will give 10 fold back. What did Jesus say today salvation has come to this whole he gave it away, and his name was attached both of God. It is in the principle is simple. You save your life. You lose it. If you lose your life for his sake for the gospel sake, thank you so much for joining us for this message so many times were focused on attaining spiritual knowledge. Miss God's call relational and financial wisdom as well. As believers we should be people who aren't in love with our money.

People who use our money as a resource that God has given us to bless others more information, visit us online a clear view of these he got emerging and for the sermons notes checkup exercise blog financial.com