Book: Luke 16:1-3

Little Things Tell  A Lot About You

By James Wiese on July 26, 2024

Sermon for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity                July 28, 2024

Lessons: Luke 16:1-13          Historic Series (vv.1-9)              24:2457

Theme:  Little Things Tell a Lot about You

This past week we had a new roof put on our house. Many homes in our neighborhood are having roofs replaced because of the hailstorm that hit parts of SW Missouri a month ago. So, I have watched different roofers go about their work
On Friday they were working on our roof while I sat in my study preparing this sermon. I watched them at work right outside my window, wondering how meticulous they would be at cleaning up after themselves, especially since we have a very steep roof that might influence them to cut some corners for safety’s sake. I watched a worker clinging to a rope attached to the peak so that he wouldn’t slide off. How meticulous would he be at his job? Well, he was loosening all the nails, picking them up as they rolled into the gutter, and collecting all the small scraps of tar paper and shingles, while clinging to that rope.  He was doing a good job.  I was impressed by the little things he was doing. Maybe he’ll be a foreman someday.
The little things we do tell a lot. They indicate our character and how we might handle bigger things. Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much; whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  How are you doing with the little things in life that God has given you?
Christians will want to do all their work well, because they know that everything is the Lord’s, and they want to be good stewards of His things. And how well we do with the little things tells God a lot about us, about our relationship and our love for Him. It’s one of the things Jesus addresses in our text today as He encourages us I. to be shrewd and II. faithful in whatever we do.
I.  Be shrewd in everything you do.
Several times Jesus encouraged His disciples to be shrewd in what they did. When He sent them out on their own, He told them that some people would welcome them and the Gospel, but others would reject it and turn on them. So, He encouraged, “Be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves” (Mt.10:16).
I don’t have a problem understanding what Jesus meant with the innocent part: “Be as innocent as doves.”  A follower of Christ is to pick up his cross and follow in the steps of Jesus. Be the way He was. He didn’t retaliate or strike back at those who hurt him.  He was innocent and meek like a dove.
Doves are not ferocious birds. Remember the dove that Noah sent out from the ark and returned to him with an olive branch in its mouth? Doves are not scavenger birds like ravens are. Doves are often used as symbols of peace, even of the Holy Spirit. So, I catch what Jesus means with that.  But the encouragement that puzzles me is the phrase, “Be shrewd as snakes.”  That throws me because I often see shrewdness in a negative way. I’m to be shrewd…. like a snake?
I don’t have a very good view of snakes either. After all it was the devil in a snake that convinced Adam and Eve to fall into sin in the Garden of Eden. How did he do that?  By shrewdly twisting God’s words and convincing them that his lies would be good for them.
Oh, he’s a clever one, that devil, shrewd in dealing with us.  And that’s what puzzles me at times when I hear Jesus say, “Be shrewd as snakes,” or, in our text, when He implies that unbelievers are shrewd in what they do, and Christians could learn a lesson from them.  Be shrewd in what you do? What can that mean? His parable explains.
A rich man had entrusted his business to the care of a steward who would manage it. This manager was dishonest and wasted the owner’s things.  The owner caught wind of the man’s dishonesty and told him to get the books ready because he was being fired.
The manager thought, “Now what will I do?  I’m not fit for hard labor, and I won’t bend to begging.” But he didn’t waste any time. Quickly and decisively, he came up with a plan.
He still had the accounting books in his possession.  So, he called in all those who owed his master and had them reduce their debts by as much as half of what they owed. Why did he do that? Well, you’ve heard the expression, “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine”?  If you do someone a huge favor, it is more than likely that person will turn around and do you a favor too. By reducing the debts, the manager hoped to make the debtors so happy that when he lost his job, they would gladly help him out like he had helped them.
Now comes the interesting part.  When the owner learned what the manager had done, he commended him, not for his dishonesty but for thinking things out carefully and acting decisively for his future.
You see, that’s the way worldly-minded people are.  Unbelievers know how to go about business, acting decisively in a crisis, taking advantage of their opportunities, and dealing in matters that will turn out to their benefit. They act shrewdly (fronimws), sadly more shrewdly than we Christians as we seek to carry out God’s work.
Think about it.  I know for myself that I’m not always so decisive in the work I plan out for the Lord, nor am I always quick to get it done, nor am I really considering the future ramifications of it. That’s sad on my part because I have something much, much more important and valuable than worldly-minded people have. I’ve got the Gospel.  I’ve got a Savior, forgiveness for sin, and the sure hope of heaven to enjoy and proclaim. All worldly wealth ends and eventually perishes. But the treasures of Christ, the Gospel, and heaven, which He has prepared for all who believe, will go on.
What a sad thing if I should miss out on it all because I did not recognize the greater wealth that I have through my faith in the Lord Jesus and am not shrewd in what I do with His saving Word.  We ought to show greater concern for the future than the unbeliever does because our future will be with the Lord Jesus, if we remain His.  We ought to make plans and act more wisely than the unbeliever does because all our efforts are directed towards a heavenly goal.  Dare we neglect to wisely carry on the business of God’s Kingdom, investing our resources of time, talents, and treasures in it?  For our good and for the good of others who do not yet know the Lord Jesus as Savior? Such great wealth we have! And as we act shrewdly and decisively with all our gifts, even the littlest of them, then the Lord can use what we do to win souls for Christ and eternity.  You can’t do anything more productive in this life than that.
Imagine what it will be like to get to heaven someday and be approached by someone you never knew while here and have him heartily shake your hand? Jesus indicates that those whom we have helped to faith with our gifts – our time, our talents, our offerings to the Lord’s work – they will welcome us in heaven. That’s amazing! And what joy it will bring to your heart.
So, dear Christian friend, be shrewd in what you do for the Lord.  And remember the little things you do tell God a lot about you.
II.  So……be faithful in what you do, whether big or small.
The story is told of a scrubwoman who was approached one day and asked, “And what work do you do for the Lord?”  Her reply was simple and direct: “All of it,” she said.  There was perhaps more good theology in those three words than in any other answer the woman could have given.  All activity, big or small, was done as to the Lord.
Christians serve their Lord Christ in every vocation of life: as father, mother, son, daughter, employer, employee, teacher, student, farmer, citizen etc.  Whatever the calling, whatever the gifts, as they are used to God’s glory and the welfare of souls, it is done to the Lord.
The tired young mother walking the floor with her sick child at night, the stressed-out father working long hours to make a living for his family, the laborer at his bench, the student at his desk, the office worker at his computer – all can do what they do as to the Lord. Let them do it faithfully, knowing that their witness as Christians is being seen by what they do and most importantly by what they say.  Even the little things we do tell a lot about us.  As Christians we must see that everything we do as God’s redeemed people is done in love and service to Him who died and rose again to give us life and who owns everything.
God help us be faithful and wise in whatever we do, for what we do with the things God has entrusted to us tells a lot to God and to others of our love for Him.  God grant it to us in our lives of faith for Jesus’ sake.  Amen

Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield

(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)

Church phone: 417.887.0886   Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244

www.zionluthchurch.com       email: revelehmann@gmail.com

You can also find us on Facebook 

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity         July 28, 2024

“Commit what you do to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”  Prov. 16:3

Welcome:  The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today.  We encourage children to worship with us.  However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary.  The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall.  Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary.  We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.

U p o n    E n t e r i n g    G o d’ s    H o u s e

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name….Whenever I look at…the works of Your fingers, what is man that You remember him. You crown him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet“ (Psalm 8).

W h a t    T h i s    S u n d a y    i s    A b o u t

The Gifts of God’s Grace Call Us to a Life of Stewardship.  God calls us to a life of faithful stewardship, managing well His gifts to us.

Stewardship is a matter of faith.  Faithful stewards humbly recognize that everything they have is the property of the Lord of heaven and earth, who holds every creature in His hand.  Even life itself is His good gift to mankind, to be managed wisely by us to His glory, our good, and the eternal welfare of souls.

As we manage His gifts, He also admonishes us to be on our guard against various temptations that lead one to squander His gifts to the detriment of the soul.  Indeed, faithful stewards will wisely use their gifts and talents in the cause of righteousness before Him.

To that end we pray:  Lord, teach us to guard against every temptation to mishandle and squander Your gifts to the detriment of our souls.  Help us to grow in grace and appreciation of the Gospel so that we wisely use the gifts You have given us and administer them faithfully.  Then Your Kingdom will grow and flourish. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.   

– T h e   W o r d   o f   G o d   f o r   T o d a y –

(The Lessons of the Day are from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)

The Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 16:1-9

God weighs the motives of the heart and responds to them for the good of His people.  Therefore, find contentment in His righteousness and not in much earthly wealth.

The Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 

Israel’s rebellious history against God and self-destruction in sin serves as an example for us not to set our hearts on evil things but to look in all things to our faithful God, being led by Him in ways of righteousness.  As we look to Him, He will uphold us in times of testing and trial.

The Gospel Lesson:  Luke 16:1-9 

In His Parable of the Shrewd Manager, Jesus encourages believers to be wise and faithful stewards of His gifts. True stewardship is a matter of faith.  In a worldly way the man in the parable was wise as he planned for his future.  But the believer, in looking to the Lord for all things, is to be wiser in his use of God’s gifts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Organist: Jane Rips                  The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

Point to Ponder: “You should think: ‘Well, if an (unbelieving) farmer, townsman, merchant miser, woman and maid are able to serve the devil with such diligence and allow no drudgery to weary them, why should I (a Christian) not be willing in like manner to serve my Lord, whom I am to enjoy forever?

“They (unbelievers) rush about as if they were mad.  Yet they are merely pursuing their eternal harm and ruin. Why then am I, when my soul’s salvation is concerned, so sluggish and sleepy that God must drag me to it by the very hair? I ought to spit at myself for not even crawling to heaven while those folk rush and run to hell the way they do.

“For look at a fellow of whom greed has really taken possession.  You will find that his thoughts grant him rest neither day nor night.  All his pondering and planning are directed to making money….He would not neglect nor begrudge any effort or labor when he sees money.

“Now, we should learn to interest ourselves in the eternal with the earnestness with which a miser interests himself in money.  But where do you find the Christian who does so?”

— Martin Luther from a sermon on Lk.16:1-9 The Shaming Zeal of Worldlings

Outline of  Our Worship

Lord, Hear Us

Opening Thoughts on the Service

The Entrance Hymn: #612

The Order of Service     Morning Prayer: Hymnal pg.207

Lord, Feed Us

Psalm of the Day: #65

Proverbs 16:1-9

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Hymn Response: #833

Luke 16:1-9

Sermon Hymn: #748

Sermon Text: Luke 16:1-3     Little Things Tell  A Lot About You.

Lord, Accept  Our Response

The Te Deum Laudamus      Hymnal page 210

The Offering

Hymnal pg.213-214      “Lord, Have Mercy”

Prayers,  Lord’s Prayer

Lord, Bless Us

The Benediction     Hymnal page 214

Closing Hymn: #617

Silent Prayer

WELS Connection:   Early Childhood Centers

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity – Historic Series

Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 16:1-9 – Ask God to Bless Your Plans

1A person may have thought things through in his heart, but an apt answer from his tongue comes from the Lord.

2 All of a person’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs motives.

3 Commit what you do to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

4 The Lord has made everything for his own purpose, even a wicked person for a day of trouble.
5 Anyone with an arrogant attitude is disgusting to the Lord. Be sure of this: he will not go unpunished.
6 Through mercy and truth, guilt is atoned for, and through the fear of the Lord, one turns from evil.
7 When the Lord is pleased with a man’s ways, he causes even his enemies to live at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness than a large income without justice.

9 A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord makes his steps secure.

Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 – Be Careful Not to Fall.

6 Now these things took place as examples to warn us not to desire evil things the way they did. 7 Do not become idolaters like some of them—as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to celebrate wildly.” 8 And let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. 9 Let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and so were being destroyed by the serpents. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them grumbled, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 All these things that were happening to them had meaning as examples, and they were written down to warn us, to whom the end of the ages has come.

12 So let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you except ordinary testing. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but when he tests you, he will also bring about the outcome that you are able to bear it.

Gospel Lesson: Luke 16:1-9 – The Shrewd Manager.

1Jesus also said to his disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager who was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 The rich man called him in and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you can no longer be manager.’

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, since my master is taking away the management position from me? I am not strong enough to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from my position as manager, people will receive me into their houses.’

5 “He called each one of his master’s debtors to him. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘Six hundred gallons of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write three hundred.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘Six hundred bushels of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and write four hundred and eighty.’

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the children of the light are. 9 I tell you, make friends for yourselves with unrighteous mammon, so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings.                                The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019

Calendar  &  Announcements  for  Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church

Today

July 28

 Monday

July 29

 Tuesday

July 30

 Wednesday

July 31

 Thursday

Aug.1

 Friday

Aug.2

 Saturday

Aug.3

 Next Sun.

Aug.4
9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

online -Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

 

Ninth Sunday after Trinity

 No Midweek Bible Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Pastor and Elizabeth will be leaving on their trip 9:00 am

Divine Worship Service

online – Facebook

10:15 am

Fellowship & Bible Study

 

Tenth Sunday after Trinity

 

A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today

Money and wealth rule in today’s materialistic society. We would also admit that God has richly blessed each of us with many physical blessings—far more than we deserve. How we handle those blessings, whether in dollars or possessions, reflects our relationship with God. May we be inspired by God to use all His blessings in ways that are pleasing to Him and serve his purposes!

The Gospel Lesson: Luke 16:1-9  (the answers are found on the back side)

  1. What is the main point of this parable?
  2. How is this point furthered by the statement “You cannot serve both God and money”?

Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Norine Richardson; Melissa Morlock-Jaeger; Liz Lisenby; Barbara Long; Robbie Woessner (Bob & Geri’s son) now under hospice care.

Meditations next series of devotions beginning in September.   There are plenty of copies for family and friends in the narthex.

Divine Call Sent  At the joint call meeting of Zion and Peace this past Wednesday evening, Pastor Peter Hagen was selected to whom our sixth call for pastor will be sent. He is 39 years old and presently serves Resurrection Lutheran Church, Maumee, OH.  He and wife Desiree have 3 children, ages 4-10. The children are homeschooled  Please keep Pastor Hagen and family in your prayers over the next few weeks as he prayerfully considers where the Lord would have him serve in His Kingdom of Grace. More information about Pastor Hagen may be found on the bulletin board in the hallway.

After Friday This Week Pastor and Elizabeth will be traveling with friends to Alaska. They will be gone for 3 Sundays. The first two Sundays in August, our elders will be conducting the worship services.  Pastor James Witt from St. Louis will conduct the service on Sunday, August 18.  That will be a communion service and the only one that we will celebrate in the month of August.  Should need arise in Pastor Lehmann’s absence, please contact one of our elders or council members or for pastoral care Pastor Daniel McQuality at Faith LC, Carthage 217-671-1168  or Pastor Micah Ernst, Peace LC, Jefferson City, at 573.356.5560 or Pastor Seth Georgson, Martin Luther LC, St. Louis, 314.914.6457.

The Week in Review

Last Sunday Worship: 30; Bible Study: 19;  Midweek Bible Class: no class this week; Offerings: $1,310..

Next Sunday’s Lessons:               

The 10th Sunday after Trinity: Jeremiah 7:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Luke 19:41-48    (Historic Series)

Answer to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:

  1. This parable serves to encourage us to make good use of our money. How we use the money and possessions that God has given is a fruit of faith and will reflect our relationship with Him. By keeping a proper perspective on the blessings God has given, we will use them to serve His purposes and to support His kingdom here on earth.
  2. Worldly wealth and possessions are given by God to be used in His service. The God who gives the money must always be more important than the money that He gives.

 

This week I am praying for……