COFFEE - MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR STUFF

I n t r o d u c t i o n

Think of the friendships you have had. How did those relationships start?

B i g P i c t u r e

Jesus tells us to make friends by using money that will fail for the sake of the kingdom that will never fail.

B i b l e P a s s a g e

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." - Luke 16:8-9 (NIV)

K e y T r u t h s

1. These verses follow the parable of the shrewd manager - an odd parable, but it is essentially a contrast between how God's people and the people of this world live.

2. The master praises the dishonest manager for his shrewd actions, and Jesus remarks that the people of this world are more shrewd than the people of light. The word here for shrewd describes the practical wisdom of life experience.

3. Jesus' insight here is to use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself.

4. Jesus' point is that wealth won't last. Markets fall, consumer confidence crumbles, but God's kingdom never fails. Wealth isn't for keeping - it's to use to make friends for the sake of the kingdom. (See also Proverbs 19:4,6)

5. One reason to make friends with worldly wealth is so that they, too, would be welcomed into heavenly dwellings.

Thoughts? Questions?

A p p l i c a t i o n

• When it comes to working, what does it mean to be a wise steward of our money?
• Work from home to save on commuting costs? Bringing in your lunch rather than buying out? Using the office coffee machine rather than going to the coffee shop?
• What might it look like to use worldly wealth to make friends in the post-COVID workplace?

Making friends requires an intentional desire to love and care for others. Additionally, making friends requires time, money, and energy.

Making friends means spending time with people, getting to know them more deeply. Generally speaking, this doesn't happen well in an office while trying to get work done – but rather in incidental times, such as coffee breaks, lunches, work trips, and outside work functions.

Making friends might mean going out for lunch or coffee regularly with colleagues – and budgeting for it as a mission expense. Making friends might mean staying out on a Thursday or Friday evening when you feel exhausted, to spend time with colleagues. Making friends might mean initiating social events.

What are some ways you have seen people successfully develop friendships at work?

In the following study, we'll spend more time considering practical ways forward for developing relationships in the post-COVID workplace.

P r a y e r

Pray for an openness to using your time, money, and energy for the sake of God's kingdom growing through your work colleagues.