In Luke 16, Jesus tells a story that might seem strange at first and has puzzled many readers.
A rich man hires a manager to handle his finances. When the manager is accused of wasting resources, knowing he may soon not have a job, makes a bold move. He gets busy cutting the debts of those who owe his master money. Someone owing 800 gallons of olive oil? He slashes it by 50% and so on.
Surprisingly, Jesus says the master admired the dishonest manager—not for lying, but for being shrewd.
“The children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” (Luke 16:8 NLT)
Jesus isn’t endorsing dishonesty. He’s contrasting how unbelievers and believers tend to act and calling us to be smart, strategic, and resourceful—especially with the money God gives us during this one short life. Why? Because time’s short, eternity’s long and hard times come to all. God wants us to wake up to reality, trust His supply and be ‘biblically shrewd’. That means acting with eternity in mind not just for ourselves, but so we can help others too.
3 Things Jesus Says NOT to Do With Money
1. Don’t Waste God’s Money.
In verse 1, the manager is accused of wasting what belonged to his master. I realise this is the one which I mess up most. I don’t ‘need’ many things but I want them. I have to remember – I am a steward, not an owner. Everything we have is God’s. Money isn’t ours to throw away—it’s a tool for worship and blessing others. Be prayerful and careful.
2. Don’t Love Money.
Jesus is clear: “You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13 NLT)
Make a choice—the Pharisees loved money he said. In practical terms, either God is your source and security, or the false god of mammon is.
3. Don’t Trust Money.
It can vanish in an instant. True security comes from trusting the God who provides—not the paycheck. However much money you’ve got—you can always lose it, and you can’t take a penny with you. That’s what the manager realised – so he changed how he thought, what he did and how he acted in relationship to others. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!”
Want real joy? Jesus says it’s more blessed to give than to receive.
What does this have to do with believers being wise with wealth now in light of the life to come? We see the answer in verse 9: “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (ESV). You’ll never regret any money God gives that you use for a Kingdom purpose. The Lord wants us to be generous with what he gives us now. so that in heaven those who we have been part of helping through our giving will gladly receive us into “eternal dwellings.” Jesus urges us to use worldly wealth to gain eternal friends, highlighting the importance of using our resources to build relationships that have everlasting significance.
Pray With Me:
“Lord, I don’t want to waste what You give me or love what You give me—I love You! You’re my Source and my Saviour, so I trust You today and always.”