69. Mammon

[George L]

1. Why was the steward in Jesus' parable (16:1-8) being fired? Improper or carelessness in handling his masters accounts. What in the passage displays his character? “Accused of mishandling his masters possession's.”
2. In what way did the steward use money to secure his future? He made sure major debtors to his master had reason to befriend him once fired.
3. What about the steward's actions does the master commend? Wisdom in gaining worldly welcome. What is the point that Jesus draws from this parable? Worldly people are wiser at using their worldly means to secure friendship than godly people are at doing deeds which gain favor in the world with God’s kingdom goodness.
4. Extra Credit: In what ways should we use money to secure our eternal future? (16:9) (This is a difficult verse for most of us. Study the exposition for clues to the answer.) We should pay attention to opportunities to bless the needy. God watches who we care for, especially it is those who have no ability to return such favour.
5. In what kinds of experiences does Jesus test and seek to mould our trustworthiness with money? Our judgement in our distribution in three areas. Tithing, giving to work of the church as outreach. And giving to less fortunate as opportunity apears.  Is it possible for a money-obsessed person to become a committed disciple of Jesus? Not if money is what is on the alter of their life. If not, how might this occur? The holy spirit needs to break the stoney heart and or remove the fear of poverty or lack driving the obsession over money from/of the world system.
6. Why are giving alms and tithing (or sacrificial, generous giving to God's work) so difficult for money-obsessed people? Fear that they must provide for themselves, which is relationship failure to God.  (Let's not debate tithing, but look to the heart issues instead that are the focus of Jesus' teaching here.)
7. In what ways are we not property "owners" but property "stewards" of what God owns? If we grasp His nature to touch those with needs our eyes are open to His desire for us moment to moment in ministering to the troubled.  What are the implications of this for our lives? We need to place selfish desires on our daily cross, and be guided through our day by him.
8. Why is it so difficult to try to serve both God and Money? Worldly and Spiritual values are at enmity with each other,
9. Extra Credit: Jesus states that high human values tend to be the things most detestable to God. How can we know that we have really conformed our lives to God's values rather than just kidding ourselves?  By the effect our actions have on our soul rather than our mind.