Luke 16:8 (NKJV)
“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.”
Financial illiteracy of scripture has been the cause of many believers not experiencing the abundant blessings that have been made available to us. “Money is the root of all evil” is one of the most misquoted scripture on finance. The verse actually says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil…,” (1 Timothy 6:10). It is our attitude toward money that’s the problem, not the money itself. Some think that being wealthy is looked at unfavorably by Jesus by quoting Luke 18:24-25, “And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus didn’t tell give this lesson to condemn wealth, but to clarify that it is not by human successes or accomplishments that one is bought into the presence of God. It is by His grace alone.
Jesus shared the story about a non-believing steward who was found to be wasting his boss’s money. As you would guess, when it was discovered that the steward was misappropriating money, his boss made preparations to fire him. The steward, knowing that he was not a manual laborer and too proud to beg, concocted a scheme that would make his boss’s customers treat him favorably once he was terminated. He went to each of them and summarily reduced their debt obligation, telling them to pay only a portion of what they owed. That plan was also discovered and noted by his boss. What happened next is very surprising; the boss commended and praised this steward for providing for himself so well. The TEV version of the Bible says “The master praised his dishonest manager for looking out for himself so well…” (16:18).
Regardless to our faith walk, we are all responsible for providing for our future. Many Christians are bewitched by scriptures like Philippians 4:19 that speak of God taking care of all of their needs according to His riches and glory. These are the types of verses that are taken out of context and heavily emphasized in prosperity preaching and feel good teaching. However, they omit the fact that everyone has been given the personal responsibility of doing their part in managing the resources given to them in order to reap the benefits promised in the Bible. The second part of Luke 16:8 says, “That’s how it is! “The people of this world look out for themselves better than the people who belong to the light” (TEV). It seems that that those who are “in the world” are more financially savvy than those of faith. That shouldn’t be and it’s got to change!
Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” (NKJV). The good man referred to here is the one who is righteous in God’s sight. He knows better, then he does better. He does what’s necessary to leave an inheritance to his children’s children. One of the things that must happen for believers to transform and become better stewards is for them to increase their understanding of finance, then become more aware of how their misunderstanding of scripture is blocking their blessings. That misunderstanding interferes with their ability to be as faithful over their finances as they are to the Word of God.
It makes me ask, “Why not become more knowledgeable and gain a better understanding of the Biblical principles of finance and those things that are in opposition to our financial blessings? Why not learn to identify the causes of our financial frustrations and become Biblically literate? Why not understand the multi-layered plan God has for His followers that go beyond the rhetoric of prosperity preaching? Why not learn how to share the gospel by helping others be more financially astute, showing them how to use Biblical principles of financial planning? Why not learn how the Bible says we are to provide abundantly for our children’s children? Why not learn how to use the same shrewdness as the unjust steward, but from a Biblical perspective?”
I believe that real wealth is measured by blessing, not dollars and cents, but that does not negate our responsibility we have to do our part, just like the unjust steward did. We ought to do our part so well that our God praises us the way the boss of the unjust steward praised him. We will hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Financial literacy is not just a worldly pursuit, it’s a matter of faith.
Be Bless +++
Rev. J. Loren Russell, associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting, host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Monday’s 8:00 – 10:00 PM (626-226-1448), author of Matters of Faith: The Book (https://bookblues.com/spirituality/162-matters-of-faith-the-book-9780999100608.html), will host a Biblical Economic Word-shop on Saturday, October 21 at the Memorial Baptist Church, 141 W. 115 St. NYC, NY 10026 at 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Register at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com, or by phone at 718-328-8096.
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