Wisdom in Finance

He also said to His disciples: "There was a rich man who received accusation that his manager was squandering his possessions. So he called the manager in and asked, "What is this I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you can no longer be my manager."

Then the manager said to himself, "What should I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I'm not strong enough to dig and I'm ashamed to beg. I know what I'll do so that when I'm remover from management, people will welcome me into their homes." Luke 16:1-4

What is interesting in this story is that the manager did not deny the accusation and was truthful in his self appraisal. He did not feel sorry for himself but went to work on a strategy that would save himself. The strategy had to be accounted so we can assume it was a legitimate business transaction, as in discounts of some sort. The owner sees the transactions and then praises the manager for his shrewdness.

The interesting thing is Jesus goes on the say in verse 8b,9: 'For the sons of this age are more astute than the sons of light in dealing with their own people.

9: For I tell you, make friends for yourselves by the means of unrighteousness money so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.'

Jesus then goes on to talk about faithfulness in finance and not loving money. How does this all come together? It appears one minute He is telling His disciples to use money wisely and the next to be faithful with it and finally not to love it.

Money is a tool and wisdom is required in its use. The words 'eternal dwellings' seem to indicate more than just our time here. The commentary in my bible interprets it to mean 'life-long friends'.

In not loving money the Christian is inclined to not be shrewd with its use, instead giving it away or spending it without a long perspective. Wisdom dictates we have a long perspective.

Thus teaching is something we need to dwell on, chew on and ask God for revelation on. Amen!