Introduction

Shrewdly: phronimos, to act with foresight

for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.

So What?!

How do I become shrewd in my faithfulness to God?

#1. Put God on the throne of your life.

#2. Put money to work in God’s Kingdom.

#3. Put friendship ahead of finances.

Jesus the Philosopher: Answers for Life

Luke 16:1-14, June 2 & 5, 2022

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: Who do you know who builds friendships successfully? Why do you think they’re so good at it?

Read out loud: Luke 16:1-14

How do I become shrewd in my faithfulness to God?

#1. Put God on the throne of your life.

God’s Kingdom and rulership is here on Earth but not everyone is willing to submit to His rule.

A. What do you have to believe and do to be considered a good citizen of God’s Kingdom?

B. To what do people have the hardest time adjusting?

C. What would you like to do better in His Kingdom?

#2. Put money to work in God’s Kingdom.

We spend our lives working in order to acquire money so we can lead a more comfortable secure life. Without financial resources we can’t build stability into our lives. Jesus asks us to look at money as a tool not a tyrannical god.

A. Is your biggest problem, getting out of debt, saving, investing, spending or tithing?

B. Someone once said, “You can never out give God.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement and why?

C. What problem do you face today that causes you anxiety in relationship to money, inflation, interest rates, gas prices or groceries?

#3. Put friendship above finances.

Jesus teaches that when we help people financially, we’re creating friendships that may last well into eternity.

A. Who has helped you in the past that you’d like to thank when you get to heaven?

B. Would your small group like to take up a collection and help sponsor a teenager to go to camp this summer?

Family Time: Read Luke 16:13. Talk to your kids about the difference of working for God or working for money. What could you do together as a family that would be working for God without any pay? Mow someone’s lawn, clean the trash off a street for 1 block, hand out water bottles at soccer, wash someone’s car, or some other creative idea.