Money and Lifestyle: Part 2 - Lifestyle and Stewardship

During the last year things have really changed for Bob and Jean Simmons. Ever since their church small group made a study of Ron Sider’s book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, they’ve taken dramatic steps to simplify and conform their lifestyle to what they believe is a more biblical pattern. Starting with giving away half of their clothes and “luxury furnishings,” including their stereo, TV, and food processor, they went on to trade their BMW 325 for a used VW bus. Although nobody at the bank where Bob works has openly questioned him, he’s often caught people staring and occasionally overhears his name mentioned in conversations. Two days ago he arrived to find a copy of Dressing for Success left anonymously on his desk. Fearful that their choice of lifestyle might be inhibiting his ability to function and minister on the job, Bob asks for your opinion . . .

The Scripture and Background

These two passages raise for us important questions about our use of money and our lifestyle and our relationships with others:

Luke 16:1-13

This is a difficult passage. The manager, likely a landlord, was found embezzling funds.

He schemes and devises a plan to take care of himself when he loses his position.

By falsifying the entries on the company spreadsheet he accomplished two things:

• He obtained the gratitude of those in debt to his boss.
• He involved others in his crime and gained a position for blackmail if needed in the future.

Jesus delivers two punch lines:

• He praises the manager for his shrewdness.
• He reminds his followers of the impossibility of dual allegiance (God and money).

1 John 3:16-18

John challenges believers to put their love into action.

Our love for God can be measured by how we demonstrate our love for others, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Issues Raised

What does it mean to be faithful in our use of money?

What is the relationship between our lifestyle and our love for God? for our brothers and sisters? for our neighbor?

How can we encourage and help each other with this issue?

Discussion Questions

What would you say to Bob? What issues does he need to balance?

From Jesus’ story of the “shrewd manager” what does it mean to “use worldly wealth”? What are the potential dangers?

How does the standard of love (1 John 3:16-17) call us to live here and now, when we may not feel like we have many of the “world’s goods”? What does it say about our lifestyle in the future? What does it say about our giving?

Recognizing that we need certain “things” to function effectively in our work, how do we live faithfully? What are the means of accountability for the money and resources God gives us?