The Uncertainty of Wealth

Intro

Body:

vv. 1-3

So there is this guy who thinks he can get away by using the rich man’s possessions for his own pleasures and thinks he will never get caught.

It's like someone borrowing a friend's car, claiming they'll use it responsibly, but instead joyriding and racking up tickets, assuming they'll never have to face the consequences.

That’s the same guy here who fooled himself thinking that he won’t get caught, but he did.

Now, he has to find a way to get himself out of this situation.

vv. 4-13

This man believed he could escape the consequences of his actions, but reality caught up with him.

Faced with the certainty of losing his job and the fear of being left with nothing, he crafted a shrewd yet dishonest plan.

He reduced the debts of those who owed his master, calculating that his generosity would win their favor.

His hope was clear—when he was out of work, these debtors would welcome him and provide the support he desperately needed.

Using his limited time and position, he secured a future for himself, though at the expense of integrity.

It’s easy to justify his actions, thinking, 'Well, he’s just trying to prepare for what’s next—no one wants to be left without a backup plan.'

That’s true, and planning for the future is important. But the method matters.

Resorting to deception or manipulation might seem effective in the short term, but it undermines trust, relationships, and character.

True wisdom is found in preparation that is guided by integrity and honesty—actions that honor others and reflect the values we aim to uphold.

So he says one debtor who owes 100 measures of oil to write down 50 instead.

Then, to the next, who owes 100 measures of wheat to write down 80 instead.

By doing this, the manager not only gains favor with the debtors but also secures a sense of loyalty from them, ensuring they will help him when he is out of job.

In this sense, they owe him as well.

So when the master comes, he sees the situation and he praises the stewards cleverness.

The master finds himself in a tough spot because of his steward's actions.

If the steward canceled unfair, high-interest deals, the master couldn’t say anything because if he did, it would make him look bad—like he was okay with taking advantage of people all along.

Instead, he chooses to commend the steward’s cleverness.

Even though the steward’s behavior was dishonest, the master can’t help but acknowledge how resourceful and strategic he was, even if it cost him personally.

This moment reflects a broader truth: the 'sons of this world' often display remarkable foresight and strategy in securing their own interests, while the 'sons of light'—those who serve God—can lack such intentionality in their spiritual endeavors.

There are times when It's like a Christian who invests time and energy into planning a career, organizing their finances, or preparing for retirement—but then neglects to put the same level of effort into their spiritual growth. They might fail to intentionally build their faith, serve others, or focus on eternal priorities.

Jesus isn’t praising dishonesty here; rather, He’s drawing attention to the importance of using what we have, with wisdom and foresight, for eternal purposes.

It’s a challenge to be both resourceful and righteous, ensuring that our actions reflect the integrity and values of the Kingdom of God.

But while we’re here on earth, we need to shift our mindset about the resources we’ve been given.

What if the worth of our lives wasn’t measured by what we own but by how much of it we’ve given away to make someone else’s life better?

What if every time we spent money on things we didn’t really need, it reflected a missed chance to help someone in need?

And what if our obsession with comfort and success is actually keeping us from living the kind of life God calls us to—a life of impact, generosity, and love?

Look, the money that you and I make are a blessing from God, but if Christ is calling us to be generous, then the money is not ours.

It's a tool for make a difference that can be good.

We need to use it to serve others and invest in what matters eternally, not just in your comfort.

vv. 14-18