In Luke 12, Jesus preaches the Parable of the Foolish Steward. In this lesson a man acquires a huge harvest, invests for the future, and then God calls him a fool as he dies the next night. In our culture of wealth and comfort, this parable certainly sounds strange. This parable certainly doesn’t condemn careful investment for the future because financial planning and insurance are synonymous with wise stewardship. This parable’s focus is on being sure we are as “rich toward God” as we are with our personal finances. So how can Christians today be sure they are rich toward God, that is, right in their priorities concerning their finances?
- Be sure your trust is in God (Proverbs 19:21). Always remember that “stuff” is temporary. A life lived in pursuit of God will find true satisfaction and fulfillment.
- Cultivate a mindset of humility. Each of us are given our talents and opportunities by God. These possessions from God should create a sense of humility in us (Psalm 10:4).
- Learn to enjoy the things God has blessed you with in life. Be content and be thankful.
- Practice generosity. Being rich towards God means using our wealth to fulfill God’s priorities. In the Old Testament, helping the poor was equivalent to giving it to God (Proverbs 19:17).
- Manage your wealth in light of accountability. An old preacher once said, “It’s our business of every day to get ready for our day.” Missionary Jim Elliott put it this way, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
