Bible Text: Luke 16:1-13 | “pssst” Luke 16:1-13

Introduction: The Pharisees are dismissed without a severance package

I. Dishonest

A. Charge brought against the manager for wasting his boss’s possessions

1. (v2) “Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.”

2. We call this judgment. We will give account for what we have done [Luke 19:11-26]

3. (v3) “What shall I do? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.”

B. The manager’s scheme

1. Debt reduction with his master bearing the cost

2. (v8) “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.”

3. Problems with legalism—we enforce rules prejudicially

C. (v9) “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth…”

1. “…so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

2. How do you dispense God’s graces like forgiveness and mercy?

3. Must people prove themselves and merit your generosity?

II. Honest

A. In case anyone concludes this parable encourages dishonesty

1. The manager is fired for misappropriation of his master’s possessions. He is not rehired.

2. Verses 10-13 encourage honesty in our stewardship of possessions.

3. Stingy is also dishonest: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”

B. (v12) “If you’ve been unfaithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”

1. (v13) “No servant can serve two masters.”

2. Proverbs 11:24, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds and only suffers want.”

3. “You cannot serve God and money.”

Conclusion: The dishonesty of baptisms, communion and weddings

Via Dolorosa and a dishonest grace