Lk16a Is Money My Master?

# Is Money My Master?
## Luke 16:9-15
[Steve Johnson](https://unsplash.com/photos/0sPFjdcRhko "caption")

>>>
+ Another sermon about **money**:
  + be **frugal**, give more to **church**?
+ **What** money? 60% goes to housing
+ **My** money, don't I have the **right**?
+ How I **earn**, save, spend reveals
  + **priorities**, goals, character
+ How to **honour** God w/our money?
___________________________________________
+ **Behold** the Lamb

---

1. **Mercy** in Business [(v1-9)](# "ref")
2. **Faithfulness** in the Small Things [(v10-12)](# "ref")
3. **Loving** God, Hating Money [(v13-15)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Use resources + rl to show **mercy**
+ Be **faithful** stewards in all things:
  + of which money is the **smallest**!
+ Never lose sight of pure, devoted,
  + exclusive **love** for God
+ Parable of **unrighteous** mgr
  + bit **hard** to underst
+ Jesus uses wisdom of **worldly** to
  + show how to be even **more** wise

---

‘How much do you **owe** my master?’ 
He said, ‘A **hundred** measures of oil.’ 
He said to him, ‘Take your bill, 
and sit down quickly and write **fifty**.’

問頭一個說：你欠我主人多少？ 
他說：一百簍油。 
管家說：拿你的賬，快坐下，寫五十。

[Luke 16:5b-6 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Used **master's** money
  + **entrusted** to him
+ to give a substantial 
  + **discount** to others
+ **Why?** bc **knew** he'd lose job, so

---

I have decided what to do, 
so that when I am **removed** from management, 
people may **receive** me into their houses.’

我知道怎麼行，好叫人在我不作管家之後， 
接我到他們家裡去。

[Luke 16:4 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Julian Böck](https://unsplash.com/photos/agS-BtrQZrs "caption")

>>>
+ Curry **favour** w/other houses
  + Secure **future** position for himself
+ **Scheming**, self-serving
+ Recall orig **reason** mgr was fired 
  + was **wasting** money (v1):

---

and **charges** were brought to him 
that this man was **wasting** his possessions.

別人向他主人告他浪費主人的財物。

[Luke 16:1 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Angelina Litvin](https://unsplash.com/photos/K3uOmmlQmOo "caption")

>>>
+ note: not **stealing** (embezzlement) 
+ but **scattering**: 
  + not specified **how**
  + money is just **gone**
+ **Now**, mgr gives hefty **discounts** 
  + to **protect** own future career
+ What's really **surprising** is
  + how the **master** responds:

---

The master **commended** 
the dishonest manager 
for his **shrewdness**.

主人就誇獎 
這不義的管家做事聰明。

[Luke 16:8a (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Vancouver, BC.  Aditya Chinchure](https://unsplash.com/photos/ghbepAO7BCs "caption")

---

For the **sons of this world** are more shrewd 
in dealing with their **own generation** 
than the **sons of light**.

因為今世之子，在世事之上， 
較比光明之子更加聰明。

[Luke 16:8b (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Master also **son** of this age
+ "I **get** it -- looking out for **self**
  + still very **fired**, but I'd do **same**
+ **Why**? **Relationship** > money:
+ Cash has no **intrinsic** worth/utility
  + **Proxy** for value
+ Virtue isn't how **much** we save, but
  + how we **spend** reveals **values**
+ Sons of this **age** understand **better**:

---

## Pitfalls in How Christians Treat Money
1. **Compartmentalisation**
2. Negligence

>>>
+ Refuse to **think** about money:
  + deem it **dirty**, worldly
  + so we never **learn**
+ 2 **pitfalls** (related, not exhaustive)
+ (1) put church + work in diff **compart**
+ to **church** / charity: generous, trust
  + **biz** finances: strict, transactional
+ all's **fair** in love, war, and business
+ Donating to charity **entitles** me to do
  + what I **want** w/rest of my money

---

## Pitfalls in How Christians Treat Money
1. Compartmentalisation
2. **Negligence**

>>>
+ (2) **negligence** masquerading
  + as "faith" in God's protection

---
"Former president's investing may have cost church $15 million"
[(SF Chronicle, 2004-06-03)](https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/san-francisco-foursquare-sinner-forgiven-2753996.php "ref")

![Paul Risser, 2004-06-01](img/risser-2004-06-01.webp)

</div>
<div style="flex:1">

"I've sinned against the heart of God 
and failed the church by violating your trust."

</div>

>>>
+ e.g., **Foursquare Gospel** church
  + pres Paul Risser lost **~USD 15M** 
+ Not **stolen**: deceived by **pyramid**
+ Ack **wrong** + asked forgiveness, but
+ In **trusting** env of church, we forget 
  + **shrewdness** praised by master
+ We neglect study **how** to **use** money
  + Jesus says sth super **confusing**:

---

And I tell you, make **friends** for yourselves 
by means of **unrighteous wealth**,

我又告訴你們， 
要藉著那不義的錢財結交朋友，

[Luke 16:9a (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Helsinki, Finland. Thomas Drouault](https://unsplash.com/photos/IBUcu_9vXJc "caption")

---

so that when it **fails** they may receive you 
into the **eternal dwellings**.

到了錢財無用的時候， 
他們可以接你們到永存的帳幕裡去。

[Luke 16:9b (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Mammon**: Aram. "in which we **trust**"
  + (only here and parallel in Mt6:24)
+ Not morally **neutral**, but can **use**
  + to demonstrate **friendship**,
  + concern, or **mercy**
+ Will **fail** (quit, end, eclipse)
  + but our **home** lasts to **eternity**
+ Not **house** but **tent**, as in wilder.
  + rather **corner** of tent God's king.
  + than **mansion** on fleeting riches

---

## Making Friends Using Wealth
1. Make Peace with **God**
2. Support the **Saints** in Their Need
3. Show Mercy to **Business Partners**

>>>
+ **Friendship** (kiss, love, ally, tribe):
+ as hholds **welcomed** shrewd **mgr** 
+ 3 levels of **application**:
+ (1) make peace w/ **God**:
  + **all** our rsrcs from God's mercy
  + **tithe** + offer part of **worship**
+ (2) **Saints** that go before: 
  + **sharing** burdens as one body
+ (3) **Biz partners**: in world
  + to be a **witness** of mercy
  + **draw** them to Christ's mercy

---

And I tell you, make **friends** for yourselves 
by means of **unrighteous wealth**

我又告訴你們， 
要藉著那不義的錢財結交朋友，

[Luke 16:9a (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Benjamin Child](https://unsplash.com/photos/GWe0dlVD9e0 "caption")

>>>
+ so Jesus wants us to **buy** friends?
  + mixing **biz** + **personal**: sketchy!
+ bank **bday** gifts: not friends!
+ **guanxi**: "family" discount
+ Why bad? **abuse** rl for pers **gain**
+ Not the **mix** of money w/rl that's bad
  + But **prioritising** money over rl
+ So **expend** money, time to build rl 
  + and **testify** to God's mercy

---

# Do I seek to show **mercy** in business?

>>>
+ Students: pract. **dealings** w/world
+ Not **demanding** full extent of law
  + but seek **fair** + equitable dealings
+ As **consumers**, employees/ers:
+ Office **culture**, **conflict** resol
  + **hiring** practises, clients, supplier
+ How **insurance** rates are determined
  + legal frame **sentenc** small crimes
+ Act w/**justice**, desire show **mercy**,
  + keep in **step** w/God in all humility

---

1. Mercy in Business [(v1-9)](# "ref")
2. **Faithfulness in** **the Small Things** [(v10-12)](# "ref")
3. Loving God, Hating Money [(v13-15)](# "ref")

>>>
+ But showing mercy != being **naive**
+ If we are **profligate** 
  + with **resources** from God,
+ That's not **trust** in God's protect
  + but lack of **faithfulness**
+ v10-12, 3 **contrasts**:

---

One who is faithful in a **very little** 
is also faithful in **much**, 
and one who is dishonest in a **very little** 
is also dishonest in **much**.

人在最小的事上忠心， 
在大事上也忠心； 
在最小的事上不義， 
在大事上也不義。

[Luke 16:10 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")
[Micheile Henderson](https://unsplash.com/photos/lZ_4nPFKcV8 "caption")

---

If then you have not been faithful 
in the **unrighteous wealth**, 
who will entrust to you the **true** riches?

倘若你們在不義的錢財上不忠心， 
誰還把那真實的錢財託付你們呢？

[Luke 16:11 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

---

And if you have not been faithful 
in that which is **another's**, 
who will give you that which is **your own**?

倘若你們在別人的東西上不忠心， 
誰還把你們自己的東西給你們呢？

[Luke 16:12 (ESV/CUV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ least vs **abundance**, 
  + unrighteousness vs **true** riches,
  + another's vs your **own**
+ Money is of **little** value!
  + Can be **unrighteous**: 
  + ill-gotten, tempt us to **sin**
  + Not **own**: belongs to God
+ But money can be **useful**:
  + to train up **faithfulness**
+ Financial **stewardship** 
  + is part of **discipleship**:
+ Having **enough** does **not** mean
  + we are good **stewards**!
+ E.g., child **allowance**: 
  + not for daily **needs**
  + but to teach **responsib**: 
+ How we **earn**, save, **spend**
  + reflects our **values**

---

Do not be **anxious** about your **life**, 
what you will **eat** or what you will drink, 
nor about your **body**, what you will **put on**.

不要為生命憂慮吃甚麼，喝甚麼； 
為身體憂慮穿甚麼。

[Matthew 6:25a (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Pink dahlias. Irina Iriser](https://unsplash.com/photos/mNz9Pa3tz34 "caption")

---

Is not **life** more than food, 
and the **body** more than clothing?

生命不勝於飲食麼？ 
身體不勝於衣裳麼？

[Matthew 6:25b (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **All** our money is like piggy bank!
  + no **lack** / scarcity w/**Creator**
+ Challenges our **zero-sum** economics
+ If in **need**: no **fear** / anxiety
  + If abundance: no **pride**
+ All **worldly** wealth is **tiny**
+ compared to **riches** of God's inherit:

---

Whatever you do, work **heartily**, 
as **for the Lord** and not for men,

無論做甚麼，都要從心裡做， 
像是給主做的，不是給人做的，

[Colossians 3:23 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/y02jEX_B0O0 "caption")

---

knowing that from the Lord you will receive 
the **inheritance** as your reward. 
You are serving the **Lord Christ**.

因你們知道從主那裡 
必得著基業為賞賜； 
你們所事奉的乃是主基督

[Colossians 3:24 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ TWU office: need freq **remind** to
  + work from **psyche**, soul, life
+ Even in day-to-day **occupation**
+ Not bc **work** is vital (calculus)
+ **Training** grounds for future reward:
  + which is **abundant**, 
  + and **true**, 
  + and **ours** keep

---

# In what "**little**" thing do I need to be more **faithful**?

>>>
+ **guys**: tend to focus on **big** ideas
  + ladies: faithf "**impl** details"
+ Cultivate **faithfulness** in even 
  + **littlest** things entrusted by God
+ Write household **budget**, stick to it
  + Pay **debts**, fair **wages**
+ Diligent **student**, empl, spouse, parent
  + **not** bc teacher, boss **deserves**
+ but bc our faithful **Father** calls us 
  + to be **faithful** + trust in Him

---

1. Mercy in Business [(v1-9)](# "ref")
2. Faithfulness in the Small Things [(v10-12)](# "ref")
3. **Loving God, Hating Money** [(v13-15)](# "ref")

>>>
+ (1) Desire to show **mercy** to others 
  + as a testimony of **God's** mercy
+ (2) Cultivate **faithfulness** 
  + even in **small** things (like money)
+ (3) Examine our **hearts**:
  + what does it mean to **love** God?

---

No servant can serve **two masters**, 
for either he will **hate** the one 
and **love** the other, 
or he will be **devoted** to the one 
and **despise** the other.

一個僕人不能事奉兩個主； 
不是惡這個愛那個，就是重這個輕那個。

[Luke 16:13a (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Savoie, France. Thomas Tixtaaz](https://unsplash.com/photos/rdwkamJlpiU "caption")

---

You cannot serve **God and money**.

你們不能又事奉神，又事奉瑪門。

[Luke 16:13b (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Heart**: love vs hate
+ **Eyes** (priorities, focus):
  + **cling** / hold closely to vs. 
+ look **down** on, consider worthless,
  + hold in **contempt**
+ Make conscious **choice**: put God as
  + **master** over **every** area of life
  + incl. how we **earn + spend** money
+ **Pharisees** scoffed 
  + at this exclusivity:

---

The Pharisees, who were **lovers of money**, 
heard all these things, and they **ridiculed** him.

法利賽人是貪愛錢財的， 
他們聽見這一切話，就嗤笑耶穌。

[Luke 16:14 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Dozen](https://unsplash.com/photos/8wUVsR-w994 "caption")

>>>
+ Not took **offense**, but looked **down**:
+ "Jesus, you don't **underst**: 
  + We do love God, and also
  + enjoy **success** in life
  + What's wrong w/loving **both**?"
+ Lots of money == God **blesses** you
  + so must be doing **sth** right, yes? 
+ cf. **prosperity** gospel:
  + "God **wants** you to be wealthy"
+ cf. **MLM**: ambition, achieve dreams
  + (so **fail** == not **trying**!)
+ Success **meas.** by money (tier)

---

And he said to them, 
“You are those who **justify yourselves** 
before men, but God knows your **hearts**.

耶穌對他們說： 
你們是在人面前自稱為義的， 
你們的心，神卻知道；

[Luke 16:15a (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Carolyn Christine](https://unsplash.com/photos/D7bmnvGJA2Q "caption")

---

For what is **exalted** among men 
is an **abomination** in the sight of God.

因為人所尊貴的，是神看為可憎惡的。

[Luke 16:15b (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")
>>>
+ **elevated** as noble 
  + vs deemed **defiled**, abhorrent
+ Unconsc. **adopt** worldly values
+ Opp. for **promotion** at work, but
  + means **travel** away from family:
+ "Of **course** need to take it"
  + yes: build biz **rl**, show **mercy**
+ but be **honest**: is **that** my motiv?
+ or do I just **accept** company's defn
  + of **success**, next **rung** on ladder?

---

# Am I trying to **love** both God and money?

>>>
+ **rethink** defn of **success** in life:
+ Making money != I **earned** it
  + or **winning** in life
+ **Struggling** in job / career
  + != **failing** in life / ambition
+ **Pursue** God: all **heart** + strength
  + **work** hard to show **mercy**
+ Cultivate **faithfulness** 
  + in even littlest God gives me now
+ **Love** Him above all else

---

>>>
**[ PRAYER ]**

___________________________________________
+ Use worldly **wealth** to show **mercy**
  + even in **biz** rl
  + testify **Your** greater mercy to us
+ Rejoice even in **smallest** responsib.
  + opp. to cultivate **faithfulness** 
  + and increase our **faith** in You
+ Fix our **eyes** + **hearts** upon **You**
  + not **possess**, influence, security
+ Father who provides **abundantly**
  + **greater** reward, **true** + real
  + lasting inheritance of our **own**