The parable of the shrewd manager challenges us to examine where we place our trust—whether in worldly wealth or in God. Jesus points out that people of the world are often more shrewd in handling their resources than the children of light are with spiritual matters. We are called to be wise stewards, not by trusting in money or possessions, but by using what we have in ways that honor God and prepare us for eternity. The lesson is clear: our ultimate security and hope must rest in God, not in the fleeting things of this world. [57:22]
Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to trust in money or possessions instead of God? How can you intentionally shift your trust to Him today?
Jesus contrasts the “people of this world” with the “people of light,” urging His followers to live with the wisdom and intentionality that comes from knowing the kingdom of God is already at work. Too often, believers fumble between the values of the world and the values of God’s kingdom, missing opportunities to live out their faith with clarity and purpose. We are called to recognize our identity as children of light and to let that identity shape every decision, relationship, and priority, so that our lives reflect the reality of God’s transforming presence. [55:15]
Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV)
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Reflection: In what specific situation this week can you choose to act as a child of light, letting your faith guide your response rather than the world’s expectations?
How we handle small responsibilities is a reflection of how we will handle greater ones. Jesus teaches that faithfulness in little things is the foundation for being entrusted with more, both in earthly matters and in spiritual ones. God calls us to be trustworthy stewards in every area of our lives, knowing that our daily choices—however small—are seen and valued by Him. This faithfulness is not just about money, but about our time, relationships, and the gifts God has given us. [59:14]
Luke 16:10-12 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”
Reflection: What is one “small” area of your life where you sense God calling you to greater faithfulness today? What practical step can you take to honor Him in it?
We are invited to turn away from trusting in our own resources or worldly systems and instead place radical trust in God’s provision. When we let go of our dependence on “mammon”—anything we trust more than God—we discover that our deepest debt has already been paid by Christ. This trust is not passive; it is an active, daily choice to rely on God’s faithfulness, even when it feels risky or countercultural. As we do, we find freedom and peace that the world cannot offer. [58:37]
Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one need or worry you are holding onto today? How can you release it to God and trust Him to provide in His way and timing?
Just as the manager represented his master, we are representatives of Christ in the world. God entrusts us with resources, relationships, and opportunities, calling us to be good stewards who reflect His character. Our lives are meant to point others to God’s love and faithfulness, not just in what we say but in how we live and manage what He has given us. The challenge is to live with integrity and purpose, so that others see Christ through us. [59:49]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life who needs to see Christ’s love through your actions this week? What is one way you can intentionally serve or encourage them as a faithful steward of God’s grace?
This morning, we gathered in gratitude for the simple blessings—a gentle rain on a thirsty earth, the joy of community, and the opportunity to lift one another up in prayer. As we shared updates and concerns for those in our church family—those recovering from surgery, facing health challenges, or traveling—we were reminded of the power of intercession and the comfort of belonging to a body that cares deeply for each member. We also celebrated the small victories and answered prayers, recognizing God’s faithfulness in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our lives.
Turning to Scripture, we reflected on the parable of the shrewd manager from Luke 16, a story that has puzzled scholars and believers alike. In this parable, Jesus presents a manager who, facing dismissal for mismanaging his master’s resources, acts with cunning to secure his future. The master’s surprising commendation of the manager’s shrewdness challenges us to consider what it means to be wise stewards—not just of money, but of all that God entrusts to us.
The heart of the teaching is not an endorsement of dishonesty, but a call to spiritual wisdom. Jesus contrasts the “people of this world,” who are often more adept at navigating worldly systems, with the “people of the light,” who sometimes struggle to live out the values of God’s kingdom. The parable presses us to examine where we place our trust. Is it in wealth, status, or our own abilities—or is it in God alone? Jesus’ words remind us that whatever we trust in place of God—our own “mammon”—will ultimately fail us.
We are called to radical trust, to live as those whose true security is found in God’s provision and grace. Just as the manager’s actions had consequences for his master’s reputation, our stewardship reflects on the One we serve. God invites us to be faithful with what we have, to use our resources for eternal purposes, and to remember that our greatest debt has already been paid by Christ. As we go into the week, may we lean into God’s faithfulness, becoming light to the world and living lives marked by trust, gratitude, and wise stewardship.
Luke 16:1-13 (ESV) — 1 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’
3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.
4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’
5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
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