Have you ever felt that tension between wanting to be wise with your money and yet fearing that maybe you're not quite getting it right? In Luke 16, Jesus tells a story about a shrewd manager that flips our understanding of financial wisdom on its head. The manager, caught mishandling his master’s resources, makes a strategic choice: he sacrifices his cut of commission, investing it in relationships that will secure his future. It’s a vivid illustration of what Jesus asks of us—not just financial savvy but eternal strategy.

Jesus invites us to see our money as more than currency for temporary pleasure or security. He wants us to view our resources as tools for an eternal investment in people and stories. Think about it. How often do we focus our energy on storing up wealth, upgrading lifestyles, or even obsessing over financial security? Jesus doesn’t deny that money has value; instead, He challenges us to reframe how we use it. It’s about leveraging what we have for the kingdom, where the impact will outlast any earthly treasure.

Imagine stepping into eternity and having someone come up to thank you because your generosity—whether big or small—played a role in their story of coming to faith. Jesus wants us to catch that vision. Our money isn’t just ours; it’s temporarily entrusted to us by God. The way we manage it can have ripple effects that echo forever.

But how do we practically apply this? Start by knowing where your money is going. Take an honest look at your finances, and consider how you can make small, strategic decisions that prioritize eternity. It might mean moving from zero generosity to something, from spontaneous giving to a set percentage, or even from something strategic to something sacrificial. Each step can reveal a trust in God rather than in fleeting wealth.

Jesus isn’t after our wallets; He’s after our hearts. And living with an eternal perspective could just set us free from anxiety and fill us with the joy of partnering with God in something that truly matters.

Reflection Questions

1. Where do you currently find your focus when it comes to money: on short-term gains or long-term, eternal investments? What might need to shift?
2. How does the way you manage your money reflect what you truly believe about God’s provision and promises?
3. What step could you take this week to move from giving out of convenience to giving as a declaration of trust in God’s eternal purposes?

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