Pastor Nelson Bonilla: 9-21-25 “Let Us Be Wise”  

Luke 16:1-13

The passage from Luke today, I believe, continues the previous teaching found in chapter 15. Some translations, such as the King James Version, begin Luke 16:1 with, “And he said also unto his disciples,” suggesting a direct continuation. Therefore, the lessons Jesus taught in chapter 15 remain relevant for chapter 16. Last Sunday, we explored how Jesus emphasized the significance of the lost, illustrating through the shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness for the one lost on the mountain, and the woman who swept her entire house—even in the dark—for a single coin. In both cases, coins and sheep symbolize souls, highlighting deep urgency and value.

If we isolate today’s parables from the context of the “lost parables”, its interpretation becomes difficult. We may ask whether Jesus is commending the steward’s dishonest actions? or suggesting that the ends justify the means? by listening to Jesus’ conclusion, we see clarity: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” According to these words from Jesus, the untrustworthy steward will face consequences—he will lose his position because he was unfaithful with what was given. Therefore, Jesus is not praising the steward’s actions.

The manager in the parable valued money above his duty to his master. His focus was on self-interest rather than the well-being of his master; he used his position for personal gain rather than service. In effect, the manager served two masters—one who employed him, and the other, his own desires.

Many biblical commentaries agree: this parable is difficult to interpret when taken alone. But when seen as part of the “lost parables,” its meaning becomes clearer. Luke positions this story to continue Jesus’ teaching about the significance of the lost and the little. In Luke, Jesus wants his disciples to invest their talents and resources in pursuit of those who are lost. To teach this, Jesus employs what we might call reverse psychology: “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” He uses a negative example to inspire his disciples to act with even greater wisdom and commitment.
Jesus is saying: consider how people of the world use their abilities, resources, and imagination in pursuit of their own interests. My followers should do even more with what they’ve received, using everything for the work of God, reaching others and taking care of their souls.

The disciples would have taken this parable as a reminder: all gifts from God are meant to serve God’s kingdom, not merely personal interests. All gifts from God are to take care of souls, other’s and ours. The Pharisees, however, loved money, and Luke tells us they sneered at Jesus’ words. They did not understand why they should care for the lost or move out of their comfort zones to gain souls. They dismissed Jesus’ teaching.

Now, what about us: how will we respond to this parable? Will we dismiss it, or pay attention to Jesus’ message?

There are two lessons form this parable that I want to share with you this morning:

•	First, with this parable Jesus invites us to invest more in people than in things. The manager used his master’s wealth for himself, but Jesus calls us to use our resources—our possessions, talents, and gifts—to bring others lasting benefit. Verse 9 says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” All that we have is, in truth, God’s; we are only managers. The question for us is: are we investing what God has entrusted to us in people, or just possessions?
•	Second, Jesus calls us to invest more in the soul than in the body. The steward in the parable cared more about his own security than his soul’s integrity. In our time, we focus on bodily well-being—healthy eating, rest, exercise. These things matter, but we must not neglect our soul. If we dedicated as much effort to spiritual health as we do to physical wellness, our spiritual lives would flourish.
There is a story that illustrates what I mean. It says that when the Titanic struck the iceberg, chaos filled the ship. Many passengers scrambled to gather their luggage—gold, jewelry, clothes, even silverware. One woman was seen running back to her cabin to collect her pearls.

But on the deck, others were desperately searching for life jackets and lifeboats. One survivor later said, “At that moment, I realized what really mattered… Diamonds meant nothing compared to a wooden plank that could save my life.”
In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus said: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In Conclusion the parable of the shrew steward teaches: All we have, all our worldly treasures are temporary, but souls are eternal. Let us use what we have now: our resources, influence, possessions, even time to serve God’s mission and prepare ourselves for eternity.