The Biblical Worldview

Parable Of The Unjust Steward - Insights About Money Matters
Dr. Allen M. Barber
September 21, 2010

Luke 16:10-13 NKJV

10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust in much.
11 Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [money], who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money].

This passage is an excerpt from the Parable of the Unjust Steward - unjust because he was caught mishandling money entrusted to him and was made to give an accounting. Fearful of losing his position as controller of his master's money, he called in all those who owed the Master money and arranged for them to settle their debts at a lower amount. In other words, he forgave part of their debt. When the Master saw what the unjust steward had done, he commended him for his shrewdness. Then Jesus said something profound: "The sons of this world are more shrewd [in money matters] in their generation than the sons of light" (the people of God). Why does the Bible have so much to do with money? Because money is a test of our true character. Either it controls us or we control it. Christ was also saying we can learn from the financial guru's of this world (dishonesty and greed excluded) how to make and control money, even large sums of it. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the gift to make money comes from God:

Ecclesiastes 5:19 NKJV

19 "As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."

Proverbs 10:22 NASB

22 "It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it."

Ever wonder why some people seem to have the knack for making money - whatever they do comes up "green?"  The answer is that is the gift of God. However, they are not given the gift to make money to be selfish and greedy, but to use it to further the kingdom of God and to help others. They will be held accountable for what they do with the gift of wealth.

Then notice in Luke 16:10-13 Jesus issues a warning about the misuse of money. It boils down to this: Money is a test of life and if you have been faithful in small money matters, God will trust you will greater sums, but if you have been unjust (abused, misused and even stolen money) in small financial transactions, then you will be as unjust if given much.  If it turns out you have a character flaw in handling money, the word will get out and no one is going to trust you in money matters.  Now here is another profound statement Jesus made when He said, "If you have been unrighteous in money matters, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" What are the true riches? 

I Timothy 6:17 NASB

17 "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."
18 "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share."
19 "storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

It is obvious from this passage the true riches are our spiritual inheritance - a relationship with the God of heaven through faith in Jesus Christ with evidence of an inner character that is generous in giving and sharing of our time and money with others. Since the Luke passage is from the Parable of the Unjust Steward, stewardship involving leadership is implied, that is, if you have been unfaithful in money matters, God is not going to trust you with spiritual leadership. In giving the qualifications of ministers in I Timothy 3, Paul said a minister or pastor must not love money. A minister cannot love money and be devoted to God at the same time for Jesus made it clear that he will either love God or love his money - cannot love both. There are exceptions, but rare is the case of a rich person whose money is not his god. Ministers of God are entrusted with a spiritual stewardship not a "money stewardship." I suppose if there is any one passage that debunks the prosperity movement it is this one, especially as it pertains to ministers.

Last, Jesus said "that if you have been unfaithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own."  Money matters involve a blessing and curse. If someone has entrusted us with their money (emphasis on "their money") like the Barney Madoff scandal and we abuse or misuse their money for our benefit, we will suffer the consequences for our dishonesty and a curse will fall upon our finances - the meaning of "who will give you what is your own." Even what we have will be taken from us to settle our money debts.  The Bible is very clear on finances. If we have been dishonest in money matters and taken what is not ours or mishandled money entrusted to us, we must make restitution in order to be forgiven:

Leviticus 6: 2, 4, 5, 7 NASB

2 "When a person sins and acts unfaithfully against the Lord, and deceives his companion in regard to a deposit or a security entrusted to him, or through robbery or if he has extorted from his companion."
4 "then it shall be when he sins and becomes guilty, that he shall restore what he took by robbery, or what he got by extortion, or the deposit which was entrusted to him, or the lost thing which he found."
5 " or anything about which he swore falsely; he shall make restitution for it in full and add to it 1/5 more.  He shall give it to the one to whom it belongs on the day he presents his guilt offering."
7 "and the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord; and he shall be forgiven for any one of the things which he may have done to incur guilt."

Notice who the sin of mishandling money is against - the Lord!

Dishonesty, abuse and mishandling of money is not forgiven until we make restitution where that is possible. When believers sin as as being dishonest with finances, it brings them under the curse of the law even though they are saved and under the Covenant of Grace. It also opens the door for Satan to inflict the curse upon their finances.

If you struggle with finances and money matters or it seems you have holes in your money bags, check-up on how you have handled your financial affairs before and after becoming a Christian. It may be that you need to do some confessing, repenting, and making restitution in order to get a Satanic curse off your finances.

What does the Bible say about Satan? "He is like a roaring lion roaming about the earth seeking whom he may devour."  If he can get you to be unfaithful in money matters, he will have gained a foothold and a stronghold in your life and he is not going to give up his legal right to attack your finances until you come clean with God and make things right  with Him and others you may owe a debt.

This is how the spiritual realm works and I know by personal experience that it is true whether we believe it or not or even give a thought to it.