Feb. 15, 2026

PROFIT: for a Purpose 

2-15-26

Luke 16:14 (ESV) ¹⁴ The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

The Shrewd Money Manager:

Luke 16:1–7 (NIV) Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ² So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ ³ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴ I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ ⁵ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶ “ ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ ⁷ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “ ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ ⁸ (ESV) The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

• “Shrewd” - Keen Awareness, Astute Intelligence, Clever Resourcefulness.

SHREWD MONEY LESSONS:

1. What I think I own is really on _____________.

Luke 16:1 (NIV) Accused of wasting his possessions.       

2.) One day I will give an ______________ to God.

Luke 16:2 (NCV) ² Give me a report of what you have done with my money, because you can't be my manager any longer.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NLT) ⁹ Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

Romans 14:12 (NIV) ¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

                3. To manage my money ______________.

• I must look ___________.

Luke 16:3 (NIV) What shall I do now?

Proverbs 14:8 (TLB) ⁸ The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.

• I must make __________.

Luke 16:4 (NIV) I know what I'll do...

Prov. 16:3 (NIV) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 

Prov. 16:9 (ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

• You act ___________.

Luke 16:5–6 (NIV) ⁵ So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?” ⁶ “Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,” he replied. The manager told him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.”

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV) ⁴ Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

4. Money is a ____________.

Luke 16:9 (NIV) I tell you, use worldly wealth…

• Use Temporary Resources for ____________ good.

5. If I’m Faithful with little, God can __________ 

me with more.

Luke 16:10 (NIV) 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.

Matthew 25:29 (NLT) ²⁹ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.

• Faithfulness in little ways produces ____________ in big ways.
• Faithfulness in secret ways produces fruitfulness in _______ ways.

6. Money is a ______________ test.

Luke 16:11 (NIV) So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 

Luke 16:12 (NIV) And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

• How I handle my money determines how God can ______ my life.

7. Money shows what I ___________ most. 

Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." 

• God is not trying to control your money,                                         

he just doesn’t want your money to __________ you!

• When I live for my money, it becomes my ____________;                     

when I give my money, it becomes my ___________.

8. The best use of money is to _____________ it in 

getting people to Heaven.

Luke 16:9 (NIV) 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 6:20-21 (BSB) 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.

                                Two Things that will Last:

                                                1. The _________ of God. 

                                    2. ___________.

Where I spend my time and my money could determine where some people spend eternity!

HONEST EVALUATION:

• Does Jesus really have first place in my life?
• How much am I investing for eternity?
• Can God trust me with spiritual blessings?
• Am I being Faithful with Little, so God can Trust me with More?