1. “I AM A RICHER MAN FOR BEING POORER”
Materialism

2. Todays Gospel reading Luke 16:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”
  Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”
  ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’

3. Do you agree with the rich man?
Today’s Gospel reading talks of a man who became dishonest with money for his own benefit. The rich man in the Gospel believes that humans find it easier to be dishonest than honest, to put our faith into objects and status rather than love and compassion.
Do you agree with the rich man?
Do you believe that it is easier to put all of your energy into having nice things than loving and helping others?
Are you materialistic?

4. Materialism Materialism Materialistic
putting value on owning and wanting things
valuing the items you own above other things in life
Materialistic

5. Diamond-9 1 5 9 2 7 4 3 8 6

6. What is most important? Family Games Console Your religious faith
Money
Friends
Spare time
Television
Shelter
Food

7. How would other people act?
What did you put at the top and why?
What do you think a rich person would put at the top of his list and why?
What do you think a homeless person would put at the top of their list and why?

8. Today’s collective worship began with the quote “I am richer for being poorer”. What do you think this means?

9. Dear Lord,
Help me to keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what I have, for you have said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Amen