“The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.”

Proverbs 14:8 (TLB)

Money is a tool to be used for God’s purposes. You’re not to hoard it, stockpile it, or worship it. You’re to use it!

Money is also a temporary resource. But you can use temporary resources—what God has put in your hands—for permanent good.

In Luke 16, Jesus turned a dishonest but shrewd manager into a hero. The manager knew he was going to be fired, so he decided to make some friends by lowering the debts they owed to his master.

The man was dishonest, but Jesus said he did do three things right. Those three things reveal lessons that God wants you to learn and apply to your finances.

The manager looked ahead. Many people never look ahead when it comes to their finances. Because they’re not saving anything, they’re unwise.

Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (TLB).

The manager had a plan. How do you know if you have a financial plan? It’s real simple: Do you have a budget? A budget is simply planned spending. With a budget, you tell your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went. You’ve got to have a plan.

The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, “We should make plans—counting on God to direct us” (TLB).

The manager acted quickly. Luke 16:4 says, “I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired” (NLT).

The manager didn’t procrastinate; he didn’t delay. He set his plan in motion. He didn’t say, “Someday I’m going to get my finances in order,” or “Someday I’m going to start saving for retirement.”

Jesus didn’t commend the manager’s dishonesty. He commended his attitude, which said, “I’m going to think ahead. I’m going to have a plan. And I’m going to invest in relationships that will benefit others and me in the future.”

That’s smart! Jesus wants you to do the same when it comes to your finances. Are you spending your treasure here on earth or looking ahead and storing up treasure in heaven?

Talk It Over

• In what areas would you like to start planning financially for the future? What do you want to accomplish in the future with your money?
• How have you procrastinated when it comes to managing your finances and saving for the future? What can you do today to move forward in those areas?