I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Here the Teacher reveals one of the proper uses of our financial resources.
To illustrate the truth, Jesus tells the story of a manager who was wasting the rich mans’ possessions. As a result, he was about to be fired.
He immediately hatched a scheme to ingratiate himself with his employer’s debtors. One by one he called them in and discounted their debt, settling their accounts for much less than they owed.
The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg— I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
Jesus commends the foresight of the manager. He is planning ahead by using money to make friends. Making sure he will have a place to live in the future when he can no longer work.
In a sense we are all managers of a Rich Person’s money. In fact, we hold all our assets as trustees for God. And like the manager in this story we are not always good managers of the Lord’s money.
And one day our time as manager will come to an end. Our life will be over. What then?
According to the Teacher, if we have used the money entrusted to us in ways that benefit others – use money to make friends - we will find the approval and welcome of heaven.
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.
I've always had trouble understanding this parable.
ReplyDeleteSeems like Jesus is promoting being dishonesty, and in a way thievery (stealing from owner) and yet the owner commends the shrewd manager.
However, I like how Denny pointed out generosity (using what we have to benefit others) that will be a double blessing - both ehre and in heaven.