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How to Get the Most Out of My Money

To get the most out of my money I must…

See myself as a manager of God’s money

Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ LUKE 16:1-2 NLT

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. PSALM 24:1 NLT

Be honest about my real income earning potential

“The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ LUKE 16:3-4 NLT

Unrealistic ideas about money will make you miserable

You can’t manage imaginary money

Use the resources I do have strategically

“So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons. “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.’ “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. LUKE 16:5-9 NLT

Keep the end in mind

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. ROMANS 14:12 NLT

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 NLT

Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. LUKE 16:9 NLT

Be generous to people and God, in order to have an eternal impact

Be a faithful manager who is worthy of more

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? LUKE 16:10-12 NLT

Why would God give me more, when I have not been faithful with what I have?

Don’t just work hard, but work hard to keep money in its place

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. LUKE 16:13-14 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Consider taking a short walk or find a quiet place and take a few slow, deep breaths. Offer to Jesus any burdens you may be carrying today. When you sense you are ready, pray and commit the time to God for His purposes. Consider the fact that all your money belongs to God. What are your thoughts and feelings about this? Invite God into a conversation with you about how you can become a wiser manager of His money. Ask Him if He needs to transform your attitude towards money and any steps you might need to take to cooperate with Him. Next, picture standing before Jesus when you will give an account of how you used His money. What action can you take this week to better prepare for this accountability? Close your time by thanking God for His generosity in providing the resources that He has entrusted you with, and ask Him to help you become an increasingly wise manager of His money.

Discussion Questions

  1. Challenging economic times bring about creativity birthed from necessity. What types of things are you doing to make the most of your money during this economy? Share any tips with the group.
  2. Consider the idea that, rather than being an owner of our stuff, we are managers instead. How can this perspective affect your approach to your money and possessions?
  3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT). How do you feel about the prospect of standing before Jesus for an audit of all of your works, both good and evil?
  4. Read Psalm 24:1-6 (NLT) slowly out loud, twice. What is God revealing to you in this passage?
  5. Take a moment and imagine Jesus showing you the impact your generosity has had on His Kingdom. What stirs in your imagination as you consider this?
  6. Next Steps: For godly wisdom over your personal finances, including guidance on how to effectively budget, invest, and give, please visit Thrive Financial (in the Learning Hub section of the Library tab of the Sandals Church app) for some free resources we’ve put together.