Articles
True Riches
Reading: Luke 16:1-15
Jesus and his apostles teach often about wealth in the pages of Scripture. While loving money above God leads us down dark roads (see 1 Timothy 6), material wealth is not inherently evil. In fact, the gospel teaches us that wherever you land on the wealth spectrum, from poor to rich, you can live as a faithful child of the Most High God.
In reality, it’s not financial wealth itself that we should be measuring—rather, we should be measuring how we use it. The parable of the dishonest manager (vv. 1-9) impresses upon us that both power and money are fleeting. (Notice verse 9; it is not a matter of “if” material wealth will fail, but “when” it fails.) It is better to use this “unrighteous wealth” in exchange for human connection, relationships, trust—things that contribute to a heavenly, eternal wealth portfolio. Whether a small amount or a large sum (v. 10), how we use money in this life reveals where our love and loyalty reside (v. 15).
You will make countless decisions this week that carry a financial component to them. As you make these choices, step back and consider the spiritual weight on the scales. God wants to give you “that which is your own” (v. 12), and it is so much greater than the fleeting pleasure, security, or power of physical things. Don’t get distracted by the material wealth, but seek how to use it in pursuit of the true riches.
