Generous Giving

Luke 16:9, as it is written, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

Oftentimes when people read the parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16:1- 15, it is misunderstood. They become perplexed that Jesus should tell His disciples, and us, to “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves”. What exactly is our Lord really saying to us here? 

Let us also look at the verse before, where Jesus says, “the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light” – when we hear the word shrewd, immediately it conjures up a picture of utter trickery and scheming, which aptly describes the manager’s behaviour in the preceding verses, and so it should, but shrewd also portrays a sense of having sound judgment, sharp intelligence, keen awareness, being resourceful, prudent, clever, and astute. And, it is in this regard that Jesus was encouraging His disciples, and is exhorting us today, to act.

Jesus, in this parable, impresses upon us, as His followers, the value of being wise in the use of worldly resources, specifically money. Jesus is saying that we are to use money, not for our enrichment but as a tool to serve others, to bless others, and to give generously to those in need.

This parable is a lesson in financial stewardship and responsibility. Jesus is teaching us how to be shrewd managers of money, how to be wise in financial matters, how to make prudent decisions regarding our worldly wealth, and how to be genuine and generous in our giving, all to enhance the work of His Kingdom here on earth. 

Amen †

Generous Giving ©2013 Shelley Johnson 6-May-2013