7.9.22 - What Money Can Say, What Money Can Do (Kenny Camacho)

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:14-30 & Luke 16:1-13

“The point here is that we should be asking ourselves, ‘do I think my God is the kind of master who expects me to participate with Him in the work of the Kingdom?’ What does my attitude towards money suggest about my answer? Am I trying to keep it separate, trying to avoid thinking about it in the context of my faith, or treating it like it is something embarrassing? Or do I see money as something I’ve been entrusted with, not just to meet my material needs, but to reflect my beliefs about who God is? “


REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. What have your experiences been with “money sermons”? What has been helpful, or made a positive impact on your life? What has “rubbed you the wrong way”?

  2. Does the way we use money really “reveal the beliefs about God we are investing in”? How so? How does the parable about the money given to the three servants (Matthew 25:14-30) relate?

  3. How might your money habits illuminate your relationship with God?

  4. Kenny said the parable in Luke 16:1-13 is one of the most famously tricky parables in the New Testament. Give it a read: what stands out to you? What is confusing?

  5. If we agree with Kenny that the manager is likely offering discounts to customers by eliminating his own commissions, what makes this behavior “shrewd”? What makes it “commendable”?

  6. How can you use your money to invest more in people? Why is this something Jesus wants us to do?

  7. The end of that passage in Luke 16 is oft-quoted: “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.” How does this verse relate to our topic tonight? How does it teach you or challenge you?

Kenny Camacho