“He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’  Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” Luke 16:1-8

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells us, “…. the children of this world are in their generation more shrewd (wiser) than the children of light” (Luke 16:8). Many believers have read this verse and wondered, what would prompt Jesus to make such a hard statement concerning the children of God?” Jesus used this parable to teach us how to handle money.

The Unjust Steward

This parable is not meant to be a comparison to the Christian life, but a contrast. If the evil and wicked sinners of this earth know how to prepare a future for themselves with money, Christians should be wise and even wiser. Yet, in this parable Jesus is saying children of the world are wiser than believers.

I have discovered this to be the case in our day as well. Many Christians have no insurance, no retirement fund, and no savings account. They refuse to lay up for the future - all in the name of “Jesus is coming soon.” This is not wisdom, it’s foolishness.

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8

Only a Christian can be worse than an infidel. Even sinners know they should provide money and a financial future for their own family.

When a Christian knows how to use the money of this world to prepare a future for himself and his family, he is equally as wise as the world. But the point of this parable is not for us to be just as wise as the world, but even wiser.

How to Become Wiser Than the World

Jesus told us there is a higher usage of money than simply preparing for this natural life. Although retirement, savings, and insurance are all wise, there is something wiser.

“And I say to you, make friends (converts) for yourselves by unrighteous mammon (money), that (so) when you fail (die), they may receive you into an everlasting home.” Luke 16:9

Money given into the gospel will win souls. Converts for Jesus make true friends which will last for all eternity. As good as a retirement fund or savings account may be, the are only good for this lifetime. Your savings, mutual funds, or I.R.A.’s will not be there to greet you in the kingdom of heaven. Only those whose lives you affect for the Lord will be in heaven. They will not only greet you, but be with you for all eternity!

The wisest investment any believer can make is an investment into the kingdom of God. The highest priority of life is eternal life.

The Greater Riches

“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:11

This is a powerful statement. The wise use of money will bring God’s trust for greater riches. What are the greater riches? The greater riches are revelation of the promises of God’s Word.

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the tings you may desire cannot compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13-15

I hope you understand the impact of Jesus’ statement. When a person’s highest priority in life is to sow into God’s kingdom, win souls, and disciple Christians, the Holy Spirit is under divine order and obligation to reveal more of God’s Word, the true riches, to that believer.

If, on the other hand, someone is not faithful with the world’s money and does not make giving into God’s kingdom their greatest priority, God is under no obligation to give them more revelation and understanding of His Word. The greater riches are entrusted to those with the greater wisdom.

Do You Want a Greater Year?

This can become a year to remember. Why not make this the greatest year of your personal life and of your business?

Surpass the world in wisdom. Make giving of your tithes and offerings from your personal and business income into God’s kingdom a higher priority than anything else in your life. Allow your Unlimited Partner to not only bring wealth into your business, but also let Him direct the money.

Your riches will increase in this life and will also remain throughout the ages to come. Your insight into the Word of God will increase and you will gain friends (converts) with the world’s money. Those souls which were won through your giving will welcome you into heaven for all eternity.

No other investment plan can compare with God’s plan, because the world has no wisdom that compares to God’s wisdom!