In the parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16, Jesus said in verse 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.”
Even though the manager was dishonest, he was still commended for his shrewdness.
Is this a gentle, but firm rebuke against Christians (followers, believers) because they are not wisely handling money or because of poor stewardship? Does he suggest that we could “learn” from the ways of the world when it comes to money? Is he suggesting that, we as Christians must be wiser and shrewd in our business dealings? What if we engage in a financial transaction with our family and things don’t work out, do we need to be shrewd with our own family members?
The Shrewd Manager was using his position of authority to gain influence with people who were in a position to help him secure a comfortable future after he lost his job. Christians should be just as shrewd in the eternal sense. Instead of squandering all our wealth on worldly comforts that will be worthless to us after we die, we should send our treasure to heaven to secure a better eternity for ourselves there. How can we expect the Lord to reward us with eternal riches if all we’ve ever done is squander the little bit of wealth we’ve acquired here?
In Matt. 6:19-21 He told us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
By the use of our money, we reveal the desires of our heart. Sadly, most of us spend a lot more money trying to gain temporary worldly comfort, than to gain eternal wealth. It shows where our hearts are.