I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9
“In God’s eyes, your financial decisions are spiritual matters because all the money you earn and possess belongs to Him. From Luke 16:1-9, I suggest that three purposes come into view that instruct you how to handle money from God’s eternal perspective.
Firstly, God provides you with money and possessions as a tool to bring others to Christ. Wise stewards use these resources to draw people to faith in Jesus. What do you possess? A home? One or more cars? Clothing? Other stuff? How are you leveraging these possessions to glorify God and make Him known?
Secondly, the stuff entrusted to you is a test that reveals whether or not God is Master and Lord of your life. You cannot serve both God and money, and God knows your attitudes and actions better than you do…Can you provide examples of how you use God’s provisions to demonstrate that God’s eternal kingdom is your highest priority?
Thirdly, how you use possessions indicates your trademark. One of the most visible signs of your Christ-centered values is how you use your possessions. As your neighbors, friends, and others look at your life, what brand or trademark do they see? Is it clear from how you use what you have that you value your home in heaven more than what you have on earth? What specific evidence related to your handling of money and possessions shows that your trademark is that of a Christ-follower?”
Wes Willmer in his three-page essay “How do we see work and earning in the bigger picture of our Christian faith?” in Purposeful Living: Financial Wisdom for All of Life compiled and edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim Macready (Rhodes, NSW: Christian Super, 2018) 16-18. Click on the title to download this free ebook today.
Read today’s Scripture again. Jesus says to use worldly wealth to make friends for eternity. This instruction is not of this world as money flows to people rather than possessions and toward eternal rather than earthly purposes. While many people miss this, “shrewd” stewards do not (Luke 16:1-9).
Willmer rightly adds that our wealth and possessions come into view as a tool to accomplish God’s purposes, a test of our priorities, and a trademark reflecting outwardly to our neighbors what we value. I am convinced that how we use worldly wealth (tool) is the defining mark (test) of our Christian faith (trademark).
In other words, how we use worldly wealth proves that we serve God and not Mammon, which is the proverbial punchline of Jesus after giving this instruction (Luke 16:13). Again, only shrew stewards get this. Reflect again on Willmer’s probing questions. Anything need to change? Are you a shrewd steward?