In Luke 15, Jesus tells us about the heart of ivging. In the previous chapter, Luke 15, Jesus tells us about the heart of God for the lost. The Pharisees were complaining:“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2 NIV). So Jesus responds with three stories about different kinds of lost people, yet the Lord celebrates when they are found. God’s heart is for lost people.
But in Luke 16, Jesus shifts the focus. After showing us God’s heart for the lost, He begins teaching His disciples about something we handle every day: resources. Through the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-8), Jesus teaches us a hard but freeing truth: “Trust God with the least things.”
1. Money is Among the “Least Things” in God’s Eyes
“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11 NIV).
In the eyes of God, money is among the least things. The earthly wealth we treasure, chase and sometimes idolise is temporary. When we hoard it or use it for our selfish purposes, we break God’s Kingdom principle of being faithful stewards. Stewardship means this: it’s not ours. God entrusted it to us. But here is the promise:“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10 NIV).
When we are faithful with the least, God can entrust us with more, not only for our comfort, but for His work. Money is among the least things, not because of its quantity, but because it is temporary.
2. Learn the Principle of Giving
This is where the parable may make us feel uncomfortable. The master commended the dishonest manager (Luke 16:8 NIV). Jesus is not telling us to be dishonest. He is telling us to learn from the manager’s principle: use what you have wisely and purposefully. The manager thought about the future. He reduced debts so people would remember him.
Beloved, the world has mastered this principle and is flourishing financially because of it. As an officer in a social centre, I have witnessed it. Often, unbelievers are sowing consistently into the mission of The Salvation Army through feeding schemes, children’s programmes and community outreach, more consistently than some believers.
The world has understood and adopted something we sometimes forget: what we do with our resources matters. If the world can apply wise stewardship and generosity in business, how much more should we, the children of God, apply it for the Kingdom?
3. Work to Have Something to Share
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28 NIV).
This is God’s design. Work to have, then share. Our faithfulness with the least things, our donations, tithes and offerings, has eternal significance and allows God to use us more effectively in His Kingdom.
When Jesus speaks about being faithful with “much”, He is pointing us beyond money. The greater things are fellowship with Him, His righteousness and eternal life. If we are not faithful with earthly treasure such as money, how can God trust us with heavenly treasure?(Luke 16:12 NIV).
4. You Cannot Serve Two Masters
“No one can serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13 NIV).
“What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight” (Luke 16:15 NIV).
“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV).
Luke tells us that the Pharisees, who loved money, heard Jesus’ teaching and sneered at Him. The question for us today is: who is our master? The Pharisees were pointing fingers at the lost sinners Jesus was sitting with in Luke 15, but while they were busy judging others, Jesus exposed what was happening in their own hearts. They looked religious and kept the traditions, but their love of money showed how far they had drifted from God’s priorities.
Conclusion: Be a Faithful Manager
Friends, God is looking for faithfulness in what we already have before entrusting us with more. Bring Him your money, time and skills. Use them to serve others. Use them to build the Kingdom. Use them to reflect the heart of God we saw in Luke 15. When we are faithful stewards, God entrusts us with more: more influence, more provision and more of Himself.
May we be known as people who are faithful with the least, so that God can trust us with much.
Take some time this week to ask God: If “worldly wealth” is the least thing, what are the “true riches” God wants to entrust to me? Am I pursuing fellowship with Him, His righteousness and eternal life above money?(Luke 16:11-12).
Prayer: Lord, teach me to be faithful with the least. Help me to see money not as mine, but as a tool in Your hands. Make me a manager after Your heart. Amen.