Luke 16:10-13 - "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."

Jesus teaches that how we handle money reveals our character and who we truly serve. In Luke 16:10-13, Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest manager who misuses his master's money. Though his actions were dishonest, his master commends him for his shrewdness. Jesus uses this to teach His disciples that they too must be shrewd - not in dishonesty, but in using worldly wealth to bring others to God. He says that those who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much. But those who are dishonest with what belongs to others will not be given what is their own. Jesus concludes by reminding us that we cannot serve both God and money - we will love one and hate the other. Money so easily becomes an idol that we serve instead of God.

This passage convicts us that how we handle money reveals the true condition of our hearts. Are we using our resources to serve ourselves or to serve God? Jesus reminds us that we will sacrifice for and be devoted to whatever we consider to be our god. For many, money has become an idol that they worship through greed and selfishness. But Jesus calls us to be shrewd - not for our own gain, but to bring others to know the true God. He wants us to use our worldly wealth to make friends by helping those in need, so that when our earthly possessions fade, we will be welcomed into eternal dwellings in heaven. Money is a tool that can be used for good or evil. May we have single-hearted devotion to God alone and use our resources to help fulfill His mission on earth, not our own selfish desires. True riches are found not in money or possessions but in a rich relationship with our heavenly Father through faith in His Son. Let us examine our hearts to see if we have placed our trust in God or in mammon.

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we have made idols of money and possessions. Help us to have hearts that are rich toward You alone. Free us from the love of money and greed. Give us wisdom to use the resources You have provided in a way that honors You and brings others to know Your love. May our devotion be to You and to Your kingdom, not to the temporary things of this world. Help us to store up treasures in heaven through sacrificial giving and service. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.