“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:8-10
“Given the moral ambiguities and the challenges of this world, intelligence is demanded of the people of God’s realm. What would “street smarts” such as that displayed by the business manager look like, when translated into the values of God’s reign? Luke’s audience leans forward to listen closely for an answer…
Picking up the image of reciprocity and friend-making, Jesus urges his audience of disciples “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, others may receive you into eternal tents.” Wealth is potentially corrupting and corrosive, yet it can be a means to the accomplishment of good.
Although money and material possessions do not endure, appropriate use of such resources can win one lasting friends… The reciprocal exchange expected by the manager through his debt-reduction scheme takes the form of hospitality, a welcome into the households of the debtors who benefit from his benefaction…
But how may one use unrighteous money and property to make friends that secure eternal homes? Precisely by reducing the debt burden of and sharing economic resources with those who cannot reciprocate. Assured of a place in the divine realm, they will become lasting friends to those who share resources generously with them.”
John T. Carroll in Luke: A Commentary (The New Testament Library; Louisville: WJKP, 2012) 326-328.
It’s been a full week in Manila. I’ve had the privilege of engaging with our board, staff, and regional facilitators in a manner that has strengthened our resolve for global collaboration.
Since it was the first ever time the staff all got together, pictured above, I also believe our teamwork will move to new heights. We live and serve in 10 countries and now with deeper relationships we envision how we will work together more efficiently and effectively in the days ahead.
That brings “street smarts” into view. As today marks the last day the staff will be together for a long time, it’s fun to watch the staff strategize how to work more shrewdly. Join us in this.
Share economic resources with GTP today by making a gift here. From left to right in the picture, your gift will make friends and have this impact for eternity.
You will deploy Prakash (Nepal) to do onsite program work to strengthen gospel ministry in South Asia while also building on demand courses for stewards to grow in their practice of governance, administration, and raising local funds.
You will enable Trevor (Hong Kong / Canada) to oversee GTP operations, manage the global staff, and expand our reach to the Chinese diaspora worldwide. He and I will do program work in Hong Kong and Beijing in January.
You will empower Ereny (Egypt) to serve the training team and inspire GTP-trained trainers all over the world to multiply stewards who follow standards to help ministries flourish with sustainability.
You will send Jon (Malaysia) to do trainings onsite in countries to serve the persecuted church and unreached peoples. Last year he opened Laos and Cambodia for GTP but that was only the beginning.
You will encourage Paula (Guatemala) who has responded to unfathomable global demand and regional interest in GTP programs. We are praying for grant to add another Spanish speaker to expand work in Latin America and the Caribbean.
You will bless me (USA) and join in with the collective vision of faithful stewardship and peer accountability growing local giving in every nation. I believe it will happen in my lifetime with your ongoing partnership.
You will lift up Ruthie (Philippines) who oversees partnership and communications work and helps connect tools with over 6,800 workers in 129 countries and counting.
You will affirm Matthew (Australia) as he stewards our financial resources, manages legal affairs, and helps us maximize the reach and impact of each dollar we receive from individuals and foundations.
You will mobilize Gabrielle (South Africa) as she trains in places like Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda to build up stewards and strengthen gospel ministry with standards so more people come to know and grow in Christ.
You will activate Samuel (Rwanda) who will soon implement a social media strategic to spread the resources it took four years to develop to tens of thousands of people.
Please, click here to make a gift to GTP today. Make friends with our team and the countless people they touch who you will only meet when you get to your eternal tent.