The Unjust Steward

The Unjust Steward
Study Center | Home Page | PDF Version

Are you as excited about this new year as I am? As I have sought the Lord this week about what He would have me write to you, God has been dealing with me about spiritual investments.

He has directed me to share these thoughts with you in this letter. I know that God will use this teaching to bless your life as you put into practice what He reveals to your heart.

In Luke 16:1-13 we have the parable of the unjust steward, where Jesus makes the sad point that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light (vs. 8). He was referring to the handling of finances.

Like many parables in Luke, however, this is not meant to be a comparison to the Christian life, but a contrast. Jesus was actually saying that if evil and wicked men of this earth know how to prepare a future for themselves with money, Christians should be even wiser.

Unfortunately, I have run across many Christians who do not have insurance, retirement funds, or savings accounts. All in the name of “Jesus is coming soon,” they refuse to prepare for the future. This is not wise, but foolish.

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

How to Become Wiser Than the World

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

“Make to yourselves friends [converts] of the mammon of unrighteousness [money of the world]:that [so],when ye fail [die], they may receive you into eternal habitations” (vs.9). Money given into the gospel will win souls. Converts for Jesus make true friends who will last for eternity.

As good as a retirement fund or savings account may be, they are only good for this lifetime. Your savings, mutualfunds, or IRA’s will not greet you and welcome you into the kingdom of heaven.

Only those lives you affected for the Lord will be there. They will not only greet you, but will be there with you forever. The wisest investment any believer can make is into the kingdom of God. The highest priority of life is eternal life.

The Greater Riches

Jesus concluded by saying, “If therefore ye have not been faithful with the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (vs. 11). That 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 understanding the promises of God’s Word.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it [wisdom] is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She [wisdom] is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her (Proverbs 3:13-15).

I hope you understand the impact ofJesus’statement. W hen your highest priority in life is sowing into God’s kingdom to 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 you.

However, if you are not faithful with the world’s money and do not make giving into God’s kingdom your greatest priority, God is under no obligation to give you more revelation of His Word. The greater riches are entrusted to those with the greater wisdom.

Bob Yandian