How Much Can God Trust You?

How Much Can God Trust You?

Reflections on Luke 16:1-13

Introduction

Within the rich tapestry of parables in Luke’s Gospel, chapter 16 stands out for its sheer peculiarity. The so-called "Parable of the Crooked Manager" (Luke 16:1-13) is often overlooked or sidestepped by Bible teachers, yet it offers a distinctive and challenging lesson from Jesus on stewardship. Here, Jesus recounts the story of an employee who, facing imminent dismissal, manipulates his master’s accounts for his personal gain—a story that might not be out of place in the annals of modern corporate scandals.

Money and possessions form a recurrent theme in Jesus’ teaching—19 of His 38 parables address this theme. Notably, the New Testament discusses financial stewardship more often than even baptism or the Lord's Supper. Clearly, Jesus devoted significant attention to this subject, urging believers to reflect on an essential question: "How much can God trust you with His resources?" As we explore this passage, it is prudent to keep our Bibles open and examine each section in detail.

I. The Parable: The Good Example of a Crook

The parable opens as follows:

Luke 16:1-8

(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.

The manager’s cunning behavior—though undeniably dishonest—still earns a peculiar commendation: his shrewdness. Rather than advocating deceitful business practices, Jesus underscores the need for wisdom and prudence in a world rife with cunning. Jesus notes that the world is inhabited by two kinds of people: "the sons of this world" and "the sons of light" (v.8).

Those “of this world” orient their lives around temporal gain—accumulating possessions and chasing comfort as if that were all there is. In contrast, “people of the light”—those with a personal relationship with the God of the universe—recognize that our ultimate home is elsewhere. As John later wrote, "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5, ESV).

Jesus’ admonition to be "shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves" (see Matthew 10:16, ESV) remains relevant. Christians often find themselves vulnerable—trusting and sometimes naïve—in a world where shrewdness is necessary. The lesson is not to emulate the manager’s dishonesty but to learn from his foresight and strategic action. Just as the manager faced a deadline and acted decisively, we must be wise, proactive stewards who recognize the urgency and opportunity of our call.

II. The Principles: Money Lessons from Christ

(Luke 16:9-13)

Jesus follows the parable with practical teaching on money:

Luke 16:9-13

(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.”

Notably, the Pharisees “who were lovers of money” scoffed at these teachings (Luke 16:14, ESV), revealing the pervasiveness of material entrapment. The Bible does not condemn money itself. Rather, it warns against the love of money, as Paul writes:

1 Timothy 6:9-10

(9)  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

(10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

As the Wall Street Journal once observed: “Money is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.” Even secular wisdom acknowledges money’s limits.

1. Invest in People for Eternal Returns

Jesus issues a countercultural investment strategy:

Luke 16:9

(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.

Worldly wealth is fleeting. Jesus urges us to use our financial resources for eternal significance—specifically, to influence people toward God’s kingdom. You cannot buy salvation, but you can use your means to support ministries, missions, and acts of generosity that impact souls for eternity. Imagine entering heaven and being greeted by those who heard the gospel or were blessed by your faithful giving.

2. Faithfulness with Money is the Test for Greater Trust

Jesus continues:

Luke 16:10-11

(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?

God owns all and entrusts each of us with a portion—worldly wealth meant as a test of stewardship. Those who prove trustworthy with material things show they can be trusted with "true riches": spiritual blessings such as peace, wisdom, and an enduring legacy of faith. The discipline of tithing, as seen in Malachi 3:10, is not just about giving but about trusting:

Malachi 3:10

(10)  Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

God challenges us to test His faithfulness by making Him first, not last, in our finances.

3. Money is a Useful Tool—But a Dangerous Master

Jesus concludes with one of His clearest financial principles:

Luke 16:13

(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.”

Money can serve godly purposes—feeding the hungry, building churches, and supporting missions—but when it becomes an idol, it usurps God’s rightful place. As one Christian leader once advised, everything in our homes and lives is either a tool or an idol. That choice shapes our hearts and destinies.

Surprisingly, a sociological survey once asked, “What would you be willing to do for $10 million?” A quarter of respondents said they would abandon their families; others would commit criminal or immoral acts. The pull of money is powerful—and Jesus’ teaching remains vital for each new generation.

Ray Stedman, noted Bible teacher, summarized Jesus’ words:

"You cannot live to make money and live to serve God at the same time. If the reason you are living is to make money for the sake of the things money can buy, then that is your god... But the proof that you love God first, and that money is only an instrument, will be that you use that money to help others without seeking recognition for yourself."

(Ray C. Stedman, Commentary on Luke 16)

Conclusion: Are You Trustworthy?

Jesus’ story reminds us that earthly treasures are temporary. As the Apostle Paul wrote,

1 Timothy 6:7

(7) for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

When life ends, any wealth you build remains in this world. The true measure of our stewardship is not how much we keep for ourselves, but how well we have invested in eternity.

The popular Christian song “Thank You” by Ray Boltz envisions believers in heaven being greeted by those whose lives were touched by their generosity and faithfulness. Each act of giving is a seed sown for a harvest of eternal joy.

Let us strive to be stewards God can trust—wise, generous, and focused on the world to come. For in the end, it is not about how much money we have but how faithfully we have used what God has given us.

References

Luke 16:1-13, ESV

1 John 1:5, ESV

Matthew 10:16, ESV

1 Timothy 6:7, 9-10, ESV

Malachi 3:10, ESV