Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Can God Trust Me?" 
From the series: "STEWARDSHIP: It's a Matter of Trust"
Sunday, October 5, 2003 

God wants us to trust Him and live in complete obedience to Him.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 
-Proverbs 3:1-10 

What does Jesus tell us about this foolish steward? 

1. the Accountability of the Foolish Steward. Luke 16:1-2 

•He (God) is the owner; I am the manager. 

•The owner has expectations of the manager. 
-Ourselves (Romans 12:1) 
-Our Possessions (Luke 14:33)
-Our Time (Ephesians 5:15-17) 
-Our Gifts/Abilities (1 Peter 4:10) 

2. the Assessment of the Foolish Steward. Luke 16:3 

3. the Action of the Foolish Steward. Luke 16:4-7 

Lessons learned from this story 

1. We are to use our opportunities very wisely. 

Luke 16:8, 9--The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 

Matthew 6:19-21--Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

2. Trust must be earned. 

Luke 16:10--Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 

Luke 16:11-12--So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? 

3. Trust can be measured. 

4. Be totally devoted to God. 

Luke 16:13--No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. 

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