1. Introduction
Luke 16:10-13 If you have not been faithful in unrighteous mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches?
· Jesus teaching on faithfulness as a servant of God.
· Background:
(i) Luke 15 – Jesus teaches the value of lost people to God. (Love of God)
(ii) Luke 16 – Jesus teaches the reality of heaven and hell. (Justice of God)
· Jesus teaches on faithfulness as a servant of God committed to His Cause.
· Kings Cause – Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
· Faithfulness is evidence of the quality of a persons relationship with God.
· Faithfulness is developed and demonstrated in:
(1) Small things (least).
(2) Handling money (unrighteous mammon).
(3) Serving undertaken on behalf of others (another mans).
· Faithfulness qualifies a person for entrustment with “true riches”.
“Commit to trust” = entrust for care and good management. Eg, Paul – 1 Thess 2:4 – Paul qualified for his apostleship.
“Allowed of God” (1381) – to try, put to rigorous test to examine the quality, to prove character and suitability for leadership.
2. Faithfulness and Finances
a. Meaning of faithfulness
· Faithful (4103) – to be firm, sure, reliable, true, trustworthy
· Trustworthy and reliable in fulfilling responsibility entrusted to him.
· Faithfulness is demonstrated towards someone with something entrusted.
· Can God trust you to handle money in such a way that His cause and interests in the earth are advanced?
b. God watches how we handle finances
· Mk 12:41 – Jesus sat over against the treasury and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury.
· Money:
(i) Money is close to the heart (where treasure is – there the heart is, Matt 6:21).
· People are secretive about how much money they have, what they do with it.
· Secrets are things held close to the heart – God wants our heart.
(ii) Money = life in a tangible form.
· Money is given for your services – boss doesn’t give $ because he likes you.
· You gave your life – time, energy, concentration. Boss gives $ in exchange.
(iii) Money is either your master or your servant.
· Luke 10:13 - unrighteous mammon = treacherous wealth.
· “cannot” = absolute negative Þ impossible to serve God and money.
· Note: Love – Hate; Hold – Despise (think against, devalue).
· Money competes with Christ for your thoughts and affections.
Examples: Men who failed: Men who succeeded:
Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27) Daniel (Dan 6:1-4)
Judas (Jn 12:6) Builders (2 Kings 12:15)
Ananias (Acts 5:1-5) Barnabas (Acts)
3. How to become Faithful in Finances
Note: Faithful in finances = being reliable and trustworthy towards God in handling money in such a way that His kingdom and cause are advanced.
Simple keys to becoming faithful in finances:
Develop a Positive Attitude to Money (Make money your friend not an end) Prov 23:7
a. To become faithful in handling of money must have the right attitude towards money ie, how we see and value money.
· Money can be a friend or foe; help or hinder.
· Luke 16:11 – the proper handling of money qualifies me for “true riches” ie, money can be a friend to me; to help me go forward naturally and spiritually; to help others; to help the work of God.
· Many Christians in desire to please God have negative attitudes towards wealth and possessions Þ put up walls in their hearts that resist blessing. Eg, 1 Tim 6:10 Love of money = root of all evil.
· When people hold judgements or beliefs “money is evil” Þ not going to access it.
b. Right attitude.
· Money is a blessing from God!
· Gen 12:1-3 – God blessed Abraham by prospering him.
· Duet 8:18 – Gives power to get wealth.
· Matt 6:29-30 – Wealth of Solomon – example of God’s goodness.
· Mal 3:10-11 – God’s promise of financial blessing to tithes.
· God blesses in many different ways – money is one way.
c. Poverty is evil.
· If in heart think poverty is holy or pleases God Þ keep self poor.
· Job 42:10-15 – Curse Þ loss of all he had; Blessing Þ restoration 2x.
· Poverty is a curse not a blessing. Eg, 3rd World countries.
· Must avoid two extremes: Neither love money nor resist it. These two extremes are like ditches one either side of the road.
· God wants to bless you financially but not be obsessed with it.
· Money is good – money is nice to have – money makes people happy (but not fulfilled).
· “Money is good”, “I like money”, “Money is my friend”.
· If can’t say these things freely then either dishonest with self or need major attitude change.
· If can say these things without feeling guilt then on the road to right handling of money.