A rich man gave his manager notice that he will be laid off for mismanagement. In the face of his jobless future, the manager made several shrewd deals behind his master's back. He reduced the debt owned by his master's debtors and made friends with them. Recognizing the manager's actions, the master commended him for his shrewdness. What does this parable have to do with us being wise about life to come? We, as Jesus' people, are to be generous with our wealth in this life so that in the life to come our friends will welcome us into eternal dwellings. Everything we own in this world is God's gift. We are His managers. We are to manage God-given resources well. Furthermore, we are to use them for the benefit of others. God is our Master, and our wealth must be at his disposal to build up his kingdom.

The Pharisees loved money and valued it highly. But Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money." He didn't say, "You must not…" but "you cannot…" meaning it is simply impossible to do both. We are either devoted to God or enslaved to money. God knows our heart's devotion.

As prophesied in the Law, the good news of the kingdom of God came to us. God's word never changes, and we must also be faithful to God.


Application: Lord, help me use what I have for your kingdom and your work
One Word: For eternal dwellings