This Is My Story 8 – Making the Most of Your Riches
Money is a funny thing. The more you have the more you want, and the less you have the more you want. Money is the thing in life that everyone is searching for and trying to get more. So if we all have this chase for more going on what can we do to make what we have enough? Jesus happened to tell a story about a guy who was not only chasing more, but was taking a little extra off the top.
In Luke 16 Jesus tells his story and we get to learn about a guy who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Jesus also said to his followers, “Once there was a rich man who had a manager to take care of his business. This manager was accused of cheating him. So he called the manager in and said to him, ’What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of what you have done with my money, because you can’t be my manager any longer.’ The manager thought to himself, ’What will I do since my master is taking my job away from me? I am not strong enough to dig ditches, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I’ll do so that when I lose my job people will welcome me into their homes.’ Luke 16:1-4 (NCV)
This guy might be successful but he is caught by his boss taking money that is not his. He is stuck, thinking and knowing he will not do good out of the plush office and so he is regretting his decisions. He seemed to know what he was doing and working a plan. Problem was that his plan backfired on him and he might end up poor and in the street. That is the problem with a bad plan. It can jump up and bite us when we think everything is going fine. The story doesn’t end with this guy homeless and begging, instead he comes up with a way to maybe keep his job.
Jesus continues the story: “So the manager called in everyone who owed the master any money. He asked the first one, ’How much do you owe?’ He answered, ’Eight hundred gallons of olive oil.’ The manager said to him, ’Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write four hundred gallons.’ Then the manager asked another one, ’How much do you owe?’ He answered, ’One thousand bushels of wheat.’ Then the manager said to him, ’Take your bill and write eight hundred bushels.’ So, the master praised the dishonest manager for being smart. Yes, worldly people are smarter with their own kind than spiritual people are. Luke 16:5-8 (NCV)
Trying to put cookies back in the jar after you’ve eaten them is pretty tough. The manager calls in all the people who owe and tell them to mark it down. Now he is still ripping off his boss, but if he is kind to the debtors they may help him out when he is on the street. The story takes a little bit of a swing when the owner gives the manager a thumbs up for creativity. Jesus then continues to comment on the story and we need to realize just why he told the story. He wants us to make the most out of our money. Here are three ideas He has for us.
Use Opportunities Wisely
Jesus first piece of advice is found in Luke 16:9. Jesus tells his audience: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves using worldly riches so that when those riches are gone, you will be welcomed in those homes that continue forever. Luke 16:9 Jesus encourages us to take advantage of the opportunities around us to create more wealth. It is funny that many people believe God is against wealth and possessions. God doesn’t care if we have wealth; He just cares when wealth has us. He encourages us to make the most each opportunity. If we are going to share then we need to have enough so that we are able to share. Find your opportunities and create wealth. Just make sure that the wealth you create does not create greater problems for you.
Be Faithful in Using Your Riches
Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with a little is dishonest with a lot. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches? And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own? Luke 16:10-12 (NCV)
Jesus lays out the idea that being rich is a test. He says that if we are faithful with not that much that we will eventually have much more. It only makes sense. If you take care of the small things then bigger things will be given to you. Not only does God reward us but the people around us will see that we are faithful and more opportunity will come our way. What does it look like to be faithful?
- Earn all you can, honestly.
- Give to God and others.
- Save for the future and surprises.
- Live off what is left.
It is a simple formula that puts some handles on being faithful. But, if you have a plan you better work that plan. A plan is only good if you work it and make it a part of your life. If you don’t have a plan then you need to get one. If not your riches will disappear.
Be Single Minded About Your Money
Jesus winds up his thoughts on this story with a verse you have probably heard before. “No servant can serve two masters. The servant will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.” Luke 16:13
Jesus want us to be single minded when comes to our wealth. We need to understand that money is here to serve us, not the other way around. Problem is that we often chase money and lose so much of our lives in the pursuit. If we use money to make our life better; then we are following God’s plan for our wealth. He blesses us so that we can bless others and make a difference around us.
To help us remember to make the most out of our riches I came up with a little rhyme for us to follow. “If I tell my money where to go, in the end I’ll have something to show.” One day we will be asked what we did with our riches. I hope this rhyme helps us remember to be wise with our riches.