Scripture to Read: Luke 16:8–9
The manager had chosen to be shrewd (sharp-witted, clever, using powers of judgment), but he was still dishonest. God desires us to be shrewd, but to be faithful to Him and His Word, and to never be dishonest nor to ever be naive. Jesus shares in Luke 16:8–9, “And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. 9 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.” The rich man was impressed by the manager’s efforts to secure friends for his earthly future. Jesus used this parable to point us toward securing what matters for eternity. Every decision we make has an impact on our life and on the lives of those around us. Our character affects everyone we come across. Our generosity impacts all the people we share with, for the resources we have are from God and have been entrusted to us to use for His glory, honor, and praise. Our Lord God Almighty wants all of His followers to be wise with the time and resources He has given to us. We must live with an urgency to fulfill His call upon our lives. We must choose to be disciplined in our daily pursuit of Him and His Word. We must also live with integrity so that our lives align with God’s purposes rather than just seeking personal safety and satisfaction.
Challenge & Application
How did the dishonest manager impress the rich man?
What does God teach us about how we must be living our lives for Him each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!