| Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3
“The master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted astutely. For the sons of this age are more astute than the sons of light in dealing with their own people. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous money so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:8-9)
Before forming a concept when reading something in the Word of God, we must always line it up with other scripture and the overall character of God as revealed to us through the Word. In Luke 16, Jesus is dealing with money. Verses 1 through 13 are only a piece of the whole. I say all of that because sometimes people mistakenly think that Jesus is commending dishonesty or shrewdness (in the sense of being sly, mischievous, or cunning).
In verse 8, Jesus makes a distinction between the “sons of this age” (unbelievers) and the “sons of light” (children of God) and how they deal with their own people. Also, if you look, it was the master that commended the manager, not Jesus. He was not making a parallel with God. Even though the master was being gypped out of money he commended his manager for his ability to provide for himself in the future. He was probably a businessman of the same caliber, meaning he would be apt to do the same dishonest thing to get ahead so therefore he was impressed.
So what is Jesus saying? In verse 9 Jesus tells us to “make friends by means of the unrighteous money so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.” That was the scripture that got me. “Eternal dwellings?” The manager was dealing with making it in this world but we are encouraged to think about the eternal. Hmmm…
Jesus is telling us in the remainder of this section that we are to keep God as our master, not money. We are to use our finances to gain heavenly treasure that last, by that we are sowing into whatever will bring souls to Jesus. That is our “shrewdness,” not that we have the ability to mess over people or be conniving but that we have the sense to sow towards the eternal. We aren’t buying passage to heaven by our deeds, we are saved through the sacrifice of Jesus, but our deeds are representative of our hearts. As we are faithful to do the right thing with money, then we will be given true riches to manage.
The manager had to be shrewd to cover his behind for being a corrupt employee, we should not find ourselves in that position because God makes our way and orders our steps. Relax, be faithful, do the right thing, and be more concerned with sowing into your eternal future than your immediate one. If you want to impress God then take care of the poor and the lost.
PRAYER:
Lord, You are faithful. Thank You for Your Word that reveals truth to me. I pray to be up-front in all of my dealings. Keep me mindful to always sow into heavenly treasure. I don’t want to build barns to store up wealth, I want to be balanced, to have enough to see me through but wisdom to use the rest to increase Your kingdom. Give me peace and contentment, in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. |
