This is one of the most unusual parables Jesus ever uttered. I call it the parable of the Crooked Servant. (Read the entire story HERE.)
It’s a parable about money, which shouldn’t be surprising because of the 38 parables Jesus told, 19 of them dealt with handling possessions. Since Jesus had so much to say about it, we’d better pay attention.
The story is about a man who was about to lose his job (because he was dishonest and wasteful). So he went to the best customers and gave them deep discounts on what they owed his boss. Why? So that when he was without a job, he would go to one of those customers who “owed him a favor” and hopefully they would remember his action and give him a job. When it came time to be fired, even his boss commended him for his wisdom.
Jesus isn’t suggesting we use dishonest business practices. But He is suggesting we can learn something from what this man did.
Just like the ‘crooked servant’ knew he would not have his job long, those who know Christ know we will not be in this world long. And just like the man leveraged his temporary to enhance his next phase of employment, we can use our temporary stuff (money, time, health, etc) to make our eternity better. It has been said, ‘You can’t take it with you.’ But if you use ‘it’ for God, you can send it on ahead.
In the continuing verses (Read Luke 16:9-17), Jesus used this parable about a crooked man to launch into four practical principles about handling money and using it for eternal benefit.
Your best investment is in people that you’ll see in Heaven
Jesus is saying we need to be clever in using our money so the end result will be seeing people in heaven. You can’t buy your salvation or anyone else’s salvation, and you can’t buy true friends. But notice how the crooked manager used his discounts to influence his customers so they would receive him favorably after he lost his job. In the same way, we should be using our money to influence people for Christ. Obviously the best way to do that is when you give your money for missions and evangelism.
Your management of God’s money determines if He can trust you with true riches.
Jesus mentions two kinds of wealth. First, there is “worldly wealth.” That’s the money God gives each of us. Jesus speaks of another kind of wealth called “true riches.” If you are trustworthy with a little, God knows you can be trusted with a lot. If you prove to be trustworthy with worldly wealth, God can trust you with true riches. True riches have nothing to do with money. They include spiritual blessings like peace, security, and strength that are so valuable they can’t be bought at any price.
Money is a great servant but a terrible master (vs. 13)
Jesus said you cannot serve God and money. You cannot live to make money and live to serve God at the same time. There is nothing wrong with making money or being wealthy, even being a millionaire or a billionaire. But the proof that you love God first, and that money only is an instrument of your love for him, will be that you use that money to help others without seeking recognition for yourself. That will indicate you love God and you are rightfully serving him with the money He gives you.
Money is temporary but God’s Word never expires
Jesus said one day your money will be gone, and you’ll be gone from your money. So while you have an opportunity, use your money to influence your eternity. When you die, worldly riches will cease to exist for you. Money is only temporary, but the Word of God lasts forever–it never expires.
I encourage you to manage God’s resources in a way so when you arrive in heaven, there will be people there who will say, “Thank you for giving to the Lord.”