Week of March 17, 2019
Food for thought
#1
Read the rest of the story from Luke 16:10–13.
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest [mammon], who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [mammon].
How does this help you understand the parable of the shrewd manager?
#2
Discuss further on the concept of manna and mammon. How does the idea of mammon — not enough — work in your life? How about manna — abundance?
#3
Read and reflect on Fred Craddock’s comments.
The life of a disciple is one of faithful attention to the frequent and familiar tasks of each day, however small and insignificant they may seem. They one faithful in today’s nickels and dimes is the one to be trusted with the big account, but it is easy to be indifferent toward obligations while quite sincerely believing oneself fully trustworthy in major matters. The realism of these sayings is simply that life consists of a series of seemingly small opportunities. Most of us will not this week christen a ship, write a book, end a war, appoint a cabinet, dine with the queen, convert a nation, or be burned at the stake. More likely the week will present no more than a chance to give a cup of water, write a note, visit a nursing home, vote for a county commissioner, teach a Sunday school class, share a meal, tell a child a story, go to choir practice, and feed the neighbor’s cat.
How do you view this new habit of blessing others each week? What are some challenges? What are some ways to remind one another that these little acts are important?
#4
Michael Frost warns,
Blessers must become students of those whom they bless… We must become attentive to the needs, fears, hopes, and yearnings of our neighbors in order to bless them appropriately.
What are some common mistakes we make when blessing others? What are some ways we can be students of those whom we bless?
#5
Bless three people this week — at least one of whom is not a member of your church.
