Faithful Stewardship: Investing in Eternity

Luke 16:1–13 ESV

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 measures 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. 10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Introduction:

What would you do if you knew you were losing your job tomorrow? How would you prepare for what comes next?

Jesus tells a parable that, on the surface, seems strange. He describes a dishonest manager who, knowing he is about to be fired, comes up with a shrewd plan to secure his future.

Now, let’s be clear—Jesus is not praising dishonesty. Instead, He is making a powerful point: If unbelievers can be strategic about their temporary future, shouldn’t believers be even more intentional about their eternal future?

Key Question: Are we wisely using the resources God has given us to prepare for eternity?

I. The Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-8)

Jesus sets up the scene: A wealthy businessman has a manager who has been accused of wasting his possessions.

This manager was not a thief—he was not outright stealing. But he was wasteful (v. 1).

The rich man fires his manager and demands an accounting of his books (v. 2).

The manager panics—he knows that once he loses his job, he will have no financial security (v. 3).

He admits he is too weak to do manual labor and too proud to beg (v. 3).

Key Insight: The manager realizes he has one last chance to secure his future.

So he calls his master’s debtors and starts cutting their debts:

A man who owed 100 measures of oil now only owes 50 (v. 6).

Another who owed 100 measures of wheat now only owes 80 (v. 7).

What is he doing?

He is using his final moments as manager to set up future favors.

He is making friends so that when he loses his job, he has people who will take him in.

Then comes the surprising twist—the master commends him! Not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness (v. 8).

Jesus' point? If the world is wise about preparing for their future, shouldn’t the people of God be wise about preparing for eternity?

That brings us to Jesus’ teachings in verses 9-13.

II. Use Earthly Wealth for Eternal Impact (Luke 16:9)

"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."

Exposition:

"Unrighteous wealth" refers to earthly money—not because money is sinful, but because it is temporary.

Jesus is saying, use your money to impact souls for eternity.

Application:

Every time you give to missions, evangelism, or serving the poor, you are investing in souls.

When you use your money to bless others and spread the gospel, you are storing up treasure in heaven.

Are you using your money for earthly pleasures, or are you making eternal investments?

III. Faithfulness in Small Things Leads to Greater Blessings (Luke 16:10-12)

"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much… If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?"

Exposition:

Money is a test of faithfulness.

If you are trustworthy with little, God can trust you with more—both in finances and in spiritual blessings.

Application:

If you are faithful with small financial decisions, God will expand your territory.

But if you are careless with God’s resources, how can He trust you with greater things?

Can God trust you with what He has already given you?

IV. Everything We Have Belongs to God (Luke 16:12)

"If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?"

Exposition:

Your money, your job, your possessions belong to God—you are just a manager.

If you do not handle God’s resources well, how can you expect greater blessings?

Application:

Your paycheck is God’s. How are you using it?

Your house is God’s. Are you using it for hospitality and kingdom work?

Are you a good steward of what belongs to God?

V. You Cannot Serve Both God and Money (Luke 16:13)

"No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money."

Exposition:

Money is not the problem—idolatry is.

If money controls you, it has become your master.

Application:

If you love God first, your money will serve His purposes.

But if you love money first, God will become secondary in your life.

Is God first in your finances?

Conclusion: Where Is Your Treasure?

What are you investing in? Are you building God’s kingdom or just your own? Are you using money wisely, or is money using you?

Make the decision today: "I will be a faithful steward!"

Closing Prayer:

"Lord, we surrender our money, our possessions, and our hearts to You. Help us to be faithful stewards, using what You have given us to glorify Your name. We want to serve You—not money! In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Somebody give God praise!