Jesus spends much of chapters 15 and 16 discussing what is of true value in the Kingdom of God, and how a disciple should use his earthly possessions. Jesus calls His people to steward well, give generously, and warns of the limitations of money in light of eternity.

Today’s parable is one of the most difficult in the gospel of Luke. Here are a few thoughts:

Jesus is not condoning dishonesty, but He does suggest that considering our future is valuable. Stewardship of our earthly and spiritual gifts are important. Money is a tool that we can use well in pursuit of God’s kingdom, but it can just as easily prevent our pursuit of God. Jesus refers to it here as ‘unrighteous wealth,’ not because money is necessarily evil, but because it often highlights our distorted desires.

But spending our lives only focused on our earthly life is to miss what it means to live in an eternal kingdom. Our money and earthly shrewdness is important as it relates to our stewardship of God’s gifts, but it has limits. Money management cannot provide us a better eternal position.

Jesus exhorts us in v. 9 to focus on building our lives on the things that will last, on true riches rather than earthly riches. When we recognize the limitation of money, we can give it away generously because we know that our eternal dwelling is secured through Christ. John Piper sums it up nicely: “Use your resources to do as much good as you can for the glory of God and the eternal good of others.”

[Luke 16.1-9]

1 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures1 of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 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.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is the manager (steward who ran the rich man’s business) accused of by the rich man? [vv. 1-2]

+ How does the manager respond? Can you relate to this response? [v. 3]

+ What does the manager decide to do and why? [vv. 4-7]

+ Why do you think the rich man praised the manager? [v. 8]

+ What contrast does he make between the sons of light and the sons of this world? Does it matter that the sons of light are not as shrewd? [ v. 8]

+ Unrighteous wealth is another way to discuss earthly wealth and is contrasted with true riches in v. 11. What does Jesus say about the limits of earthly wealth in light of eternity? [v. 9]

+ How does Jesus encourage His disciples to view/spend their earthly wealth in light of their future? [v. 9] John Piper suggests, “Making friends with money means using your money to meet people’s needs.”

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How do I view my earthly wealth and possessions?

+ How can I use/steward my earthly resources well for the sake of God’s eternal kingdom?

+ Do I put more hope in money than I do in God? What could I do to keep an eternal perspective on my earthly possessions?

+ Have I asked God lately how he wants to use me to build His kingdom? Is there a need around me that God is calling me to generously meet?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

1 (https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/does-jesus-commend-dishonesty-in-luke-16)