While Jesus praised the dishonest manager in his story for at least planning for his future, he also criticized him, saying,
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. (Luke 16:10)
Jesus is saying here, “Be careful who you trust. Don’t hand over large responsibilities to just anyone. Watch them. Give them smaller responsibilities to start with and see how they respond.
If they are faithful, give them larger ones. But if they are not, then you know that they cannot be trusted.”
But lest we stop at judging other people, Jesus goes on to say,
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? (Luke 16:11-12)
God has given us resources here on earth, money among other things. Are you being faithful with it?
Do you keep in mind that this money is not really your own? Rather it belongs to God who has blessed you with the talents and strength to work and earn money?
You don’t truly own the money you have. You are simply managing it.
And if you are not faithful with your money, what makes you think that God will give you responsibilities in other areas, particularly in ministry?
Not just formal ministry, like being a pastor, although I mean that too. But ministering to the people around you at home, at work, at school or wherever you may be.
As members of his kingdom, we are all called to do what we can to touch people with the love of God. And when we do, this has eternal rewards.
But can God trust you to do these things, if you are not faithful with the temporal things he has given you?
How faithful are you with the things God has given you? Can God trust you?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 