Kingdom Stewardship | Discussion Guide

Published September 21, 2026
A sermon graphic for 'The Gospel of Luke.' The message is titled 'The Expansion: Kingdom Stewardship, Luke 16:1-13,' set against a textured blue background.

Summary

In this sermon, the pastor explores Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the shrewd manager, to teach on the concept of kingdom stewardship. He explains that how we view and handle the resources God has entrusted to us reveals who we truly trust. Just like a game of Monopoly ends with everything going back in the box, our earthly possessions have no eternal value on their own. However, the way we steward those resources can have a lasting kingdom impact that echoes into eternity. The pastor challenges believers to move beyond temporary thinking and invest their time, talent, and treasure with eternity in mind. He emphasizes that money is not evil, but divided loyalty is dangerous. Drawing from verse 13, he makes clear that no one can serve both God and money. True discipleship requires settling our loyalty once and for all, choosing to trust God completely and allowing that trust to be reflected in a consistent, obedient rhythm of generosity.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather together today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to what you want to speak to each of us. Lord, we come with different circumstances, different struggles, and different seasons of life, but we all come before you as stewards of what you have given us. Help us to set aside our own agendas and our own comfort so that we can hear your voice clearly. Give us the courage to wrestle honestly with the areas of our lives that we tend to hold back from you. May this time together draw us closer to you and to one another. In Jesus name, amen.

Ice Breaker

What is your all-time favorite board game or family game, and why does it hold a special place for you?

Key Verses

  • Luke 16:1-13
  • Luke 12:20
  • Matthew 10:16
  • Joshua 24:15
  • Romans 7

Questions

  • The pastor compared life to a game of Monopoly, saying that at the end everything goes back in the box. How does that image challenge the way you currently think about your possessions and resources?
  • In the parable, the manager was praised for acting shrewdly even though he was unfaithful. What do you think Jesus wants us to learn from that distinction between shrewdness and faithfulness?
  • The pastor said that how you handle money reveals who you truly trust. Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not?
  • What does it look like practically to invest with eternity in mind? Can you think of a specific example from your own life where you made a decision with kingdom impact as the goal?
  • The sermon described generosity not as a one-time decision but as a rhythm of obedience. What habits or practices help you maintain that rhythm, especially when the finances are tight?
  • The pastor was honest about times when giving did not make financial sense on paper, yet he chose to trust God anyway. Have you ever experienced a moment like that? What happened?
  • Jesus says in verse 13 that no one can serve two masters. Where do you feel the tension between serving God and being pulled toward financial security or self-reliance in your own life?
  • The pastor challenged the group to ask two questions: Where are you at with Jesus, and where are you at in trusting Him with your finances? How would you honestly answer those two questions right now?

Life Application

This week, take some time to sit down and review your personal finances with fresh eyes. Ask yourself honestly whether your spending and giving reflect a loyalty to God or a loyalty to your own comfort and security. If you are not yet giving regularly, consider taking a first step by setting aside 10 percent of your next paycheck as an act of faith and obedience. If you are already giving, ask God whether there is an area where you can stretch your generosity further, even if the math feels uncomfortable. Write down one specific, concrete step you will take this week to align your finances more closely with a kingdom mindset, and share it with someone in your group so they can encourage and hold you accountable.

Key Takeaways

  • Everything we have belongs to God. We are stewards, not owners, of the resources, time, and talents he has entrusted to us.
  • Living only for the temporary is a form of squandering your life. Kingdom stewardship means investing with eternity in view so that your faithfulness today has a lasting impact.
  • The way you handle money reveals who you truly trust. Financial decisions are not just practical matters but spiritual ones that expose the loyalty of your heart.
  • Generosity is not a one-time event but a rhythm of obedience. It requires a daily decision to die to self and trust God even when the circumstances are difficult.
  • You cannot serve both God and money. Settling your loyalty once and for all is the foundation of faithful stewardship and a life that honors Christ.

Ending Prayer

Lord, we thank you for the time we have had together today to wrestle with your word and with one another. Father, we confess that it is easy to say we trust you but much harder to let that trust show up in our bank accounts and our daily decisions. We ask that you would soften any hardness in our hearts toward generosity and obedience. Help each person in this group to take a real and honest step this week toward aligning their finances and their lives with your kingdom purposes. Where there is fear, replace it with faith. Where there is doubt, replace it with trust. And where there is selfishness, replace it with a Spirit of generosity that reflects the grace you have so freely given us. May our lives be a testimony that our treasure is truly in you. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.