16 | Luke 16:1-13 | Study Guide

Opening 

Read the parable of the dishonest manager (Luke 16:1–13). What immediately stands out? Why do you think Jesus used a dishonest person to teach an important truth about money and possessions? 

Questions

1. The manager was accused of wasting his master’s possessions, and he immediately took action (vv. 1–4). Where do you feel that you have wasted money and need to take action (debt, investing, giving, budgeting)? Where do you need a sense of urgency in your finances?  

2. The manager develops a shrewd plan for how we will see to his own needs if his master releases him (vv. 5–8). The plan is imperfect, but it’s all he has. In what ways do we delay our generosity because we are waiting for the perfect scenario (such as becoming debt-free, getting a raise, once the kids graduate, etc.)? What is one step you can take now toward generosity?  

3. Read verses 10–11 again. What is the one thing that Jesus wants us to do with our finances? What does faithfulness look like for you with finances?  

4. Verse 13 reminds us of the god-like power money can have over us. How do we serve money over God? What does it look like to serve God over money? How can being generous help us subdue the power of money in our lives?