He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
Jesus
as recorded by Dr. Luke (16:10-11, NASB95)
These words from Jesus come toward the end of one of the most perplexing and enigmatic of Jesus’ parables. At first reading it leaves us scratching our heads, if not questioning Jesus’ appraisal of the situation.
A wealthy individual has put the management of his assets into the hands of a manager. But then he gets word that the manager is “squandering his possessions.” So the manager is fired, but before word gets out, he allows those who owe money to the wealthy man to reduce their bills. The manager was thinking, “If I do this, then these people will want to help me—when I lose my job!”
As I read the story: “This man who was mismanaging the rich man’s money has now STOLEN the rich man’s money by reducing these bills! He has taken money right out of his boss’s pocket!”
Jesus told the story: “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”
What?!?
I think Bible Scholar John Martin succinctly captures what Jesus means…
The dishonest manager had not done a good thing. But he had been careful to plan ahead, using material things to ensure a secure future. Jesus was not teaching that His disciples should be dishonest. He was teaching that they should use material things for future spiritual benefit. This was a good lesson from a bad example.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
We see this clearly in Jesus’ words in verse 9 when he cautions, “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth (literally money), so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”
When Jesus calls money “a very little thing” in verse 10 it is not because money does not matter but because it is to be used to bring something greater—true riches. In this context true riches point quite directly to those things which help others come to faith in Christ. In the broader context of all Jesus and the apostles taught, true riches encompass all that God is doing to redeem creation and humanity through the person and work of Jesus.
Again, I’ll re-quote John Martin – “They should use material things for future spiritual benefits.”
Now think about this, when we are faithful with our money, it means we are stewarding it for God’s kingdom purposes. AND, in so doing, WE GET TRUE RICHES!! True wealth is not measured in Dollars, or Euros, or Yen or British Pounds or Swiss Francs but in Kingdom investments.
Therefore, biblical giving is not at its core about “giving up something” and “having less.” It is God’s invitation to have more of what really matters.
The question remains, “how does one give biblically?” Let me give you two foundational truths about money and three principles that guide us as we seek to be faithful stewards of all God entrust to us. At Fellowship, we understand that biblical giving means giving generously—so that our giving mirrors God’s generosity to us. In this way, our giving is an act of faith and an expression of worship reflecting God’s character.
Two Foundational Truths
1. God owns everything; we own nothing.
(Psalm 24:1; 50:10-11; 1 Chronicles 29:11, 14, 16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
2. God gives everything; all we have is a gift.
(Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:17)
These truths must ground and guide our giving. If one does not carry these two truths as deep convictions, one’s giving can be altruistic, philanthropic, and impactful, but it cannot be biblical giving—where God alone gets the glory.
Three Principles
1. Give first and best.
Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats with new wine.
Solomon in Proverbs 3:9
By the Spirit, let giving be your first impulse because it invites us to trust God more fully, and we get to see God meet all our needs.
2. Give regularly and systematically.
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
The Apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
We see these clear guidelines in Paul’s words. Biblical giving is not impulsive; it is intentional and planned. Biblical giving is not sporadic; it is regular and systematic.
3. Give proportionally and generously.
And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.
Luke recording the story of the early church in Acts 11:29
And from the Corinthian passage above…
On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper…
