Become Clever About the Business of Heaven
What the Parable of the Dishonest Manager teaches us about living intentionally for God’s Kingdom.
A few days ago, I was talking to my mom over the phone. She lives in Pakistan, and during our conversation, she asked me about a passage she had read that morning: Luke 16:1 — 9, the Parable of the Dishonest Manager.
She told me the story but couldn’t understand what Jesus was teaching through it. As she read it to me, I have to be honest: even though I have been reading and studying the Bible for more than 20 years, I felt as if I had never really stopped to understand this particular passage.
So I went back to study it.
I am grateful for my mom’s question because sometimes God uses the simplest conversations to open our eyes to something we have overlooked in His Word.
What was Jesus trying to teach us?
In Luke 16:1 — 9, Jesus tells the story of a manager who was about to lose his position because he had been wasting his master’s possessions.
Knowing that his time was running out, the manager quickly made arrangements with people who owed his master money. He reduced their debts so they would welcome him into their homes after he lost his job.
His master praised him for acting wisely.
But why would Jesus use a dishonest manager as an example?
Jesus was not praising his dishonesty. He was pointing out something important: The people of this world often show more determination, planning, and cleverness in pursuing their earthly interests than God’s people show in pursuing the things of His Kingdom.
Jesus says in Luke 16:8 (KJ21):
“For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”
That statement challenged me.
Think about how seriously people pursue their careers, businesses, education, money, and personal success. They make plans, take risks, invest their time, and work hard to secure their future.
But how seriously are we taking the business of Heaven?
Are we just as intentional about sharing the Gospel, making disciples, loving people, serving others, and bringing souls closer to Jesus?
We need to become clever about the things of God’s Kingdom.
Jesus continues in Luke 16:9, teaching us to use worldly resources in ways that have eternal significance.
Our money, time, abilities, relationships, and opportunities are temporary. But we can use them to make an eternal difference.
Jesus is calling us to be intentional with what we have been entrusted with.
We need to stop treating the Kingdom of God as something we do only when we have spare time.
Look at Jesus. His life was completely devoted to the Father’s will.
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In John 6:38, Jesus says:
“For I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.”
Jesus knew His assignment. He was focused on His Father’s business.
And in Luke 2:49, even as a young boy, Jesus said:
“I must be about My Father’s business.”
What an example for us!
We should have that same seriousness, commitment, and urgency toward the things of God.
Proverbs 11:30 reminds us:
“He that winneth souls is wise.”
We need wisdom, creativity, courage, and intentionality to reach people with the Gospel. We should be thinking about how to use every opportunity to serve God’s purposes.
What business are we really investing in?
One day, our earthly positions, possessions, bank accounts, and achievements will no longer matter.
But what we have done for Jesus matters.
I want to challenge myself and anyone reading this: Let’s become serious about the business of Heaven. Let’s stop being casual about the calling God has placed on our lives.
Let’s be wise with our time, generous with what we have, faithful with our assignments, and bold in sharing the love of Jesus.
If the world is working so hard for things that will pass away, shouldn’t we be even more intentional about the Kingdom that will last forever?
Let’s become clever about the things of the Kingdom. Our Master has given us an assignment, and our time is precious.
A Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I surrender my life, my plans, my resources, and my future to You. Forgive me for the times I have been distracted by earthly things and careless about Your Kingdom.
Jesus, I want to give You my all. Teach me to live for the Father’s will, just as You did. Give me wisdom, courage, creativity, and a heart for people who do not yet know You.
For everyone reading this who is ready to surrender their life to Jesus, let this be the beginning of a new commitment. May we stop living only for ourselves and become faithful workers in Your Kingdom.
Use our lives, our gifts, our time, and everything we have for Your glory.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
