Jesus talked about money more than heaven, hell, marriage, parenting, or church attendance. Why? Because there is a string that goes directly from your wallet to your heart.

Money is not neutral. Where it goes, your heart follow

The Bible treats money as a spiritual issue because God cares deeply about your discipleship in every area of life. To ignore finances would actually be spiritual malpractice. Scripture is clear that faithfulness in small things reveals readiness for greater things.

Luke 16:10-11 (NIV)

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much… So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

Money is a test. It is not the final exam. It is a testing ground. God uses finances to shape hearts, form trust, and prepare people for influence. The real riches are not dollars. The real riches are people.

• Families.
• Neighbors.
• Friends.
• Souls.

Faithfulness with money is connected to spiritual impact both now and forever.

Shrewd Stewardship Sees Money As a Tool

Jesus tells one of His most confusing parables in Luke 16, the story of the dishonest manager. What shocks us is not the dishonesty, but the commendation. The master praises the manager not for cheating, but for acting shrewdly.

Shrewdness is urgency with purpose.

The manager realized his time was limited, so he used what he had while he still had it to build relationships that would outlast his job. Jesus’ point is simple and confronting. You are going to lose your money eventually. Death, market shifts, and decay guarantee that. So use it now for what lasts.

This parable forces a shift in financial theology. You are not an owner. You are a steward.

Everything you think you own is actually God’s. Your income, your house, your car, your savings, your life. Not ten percent. One hundred percent.

The steward did two things well.

• He saw money as a tool to be used, not something to hoard.
• He used money intentionally to build relationships that mattered.

Jesus calls this shrewd. Wise. Strategic.

At CCC, the goal is not simply to say “give more,” but to help people become healthy, thoughtful, and proactive with finances. That is why seminars, coaching, and tools like Financial Peace University exist. Being healed and sanctified by Jesus touches everything, including how you spend, save, give, and plan.

Shrewd stewardship puts God’s resources into play for God’s purposes.

You Cannot Serve Two Masters

Jesus ends this teaching with a clear line in the sand.

Luke 16:13 (NIV)

“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”

Trying to do both is like riding two horses at once. Eventually, something pulls you apart.

The issue is not how much money you have. The issue is what money is doing to your heart. Either God becomes a tool to get more money, or money becomes a tool to advance God’s kingdom. One will rule.

Jesus also says something mysterious and beautiful.

Luke 16:9 (NIV)

“Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

Money is temporary. People are eternal.

Using low value money to invest in high value people is a good trade. Generosity opens doors. Hospitality builds trust. Giving creates opportunities for gospel impact. When money is used for righteous purposes, eternal friendships are formed.

At the end of life, no one wishes they saved more. What matters are faces, names, stories, and people who encountered Jesus because someone chose generosity.

The challenge is simple and practical:

• Pick one person.
• Choose one generous act.
• Start this week.

You cannot take it with you, but you can send it ahead.

And that is what it means to wrangle your finances for the kingdom of God.

Message recap adapted from the January 4, 2026, message by Minister Mark Ashton.

Message Notes

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