If Google’s got it right, then 35% of Americans have, to some degree, leveraged a financial adviser. And, for those who haven’t, it’s suggested that many more “would benefit from personalized advice to help them build a strong financial future.” Wealth management — it’s an industry here, one many take for granted. But one which most people in the world have no awareness of and little need for as their biggest concern is not their “strong financial future” but more so for their “daily bread.”

This morning, I’m hovering over a head-scratching story told by Jesus. A story with a clear lesson, but not so clear an application.

It’s the story of an account manager who works for a rich guy. But the manager is not doing a very good job and so, the rich guy gives the shoddy steward his notice. Before his last day, the account manager, not too jazzed by the thought of having to do manual labor or begging to make a day’s wage, comes up with a plan: he calls in some of his boss’s biggest accounts and settles what’s owed at drastically reduced prices. You might say he held a “Fire Sale” before he was fired. Well, you might!

Here’s the twist, the rich guy actually commends the shady steward “for his shrewdness” and for how he set himself up well for an uncertain future. What?!? Yeah, Jesus, in effect, says through the rich guy character, “Well done!” And here’s the lesson Jesus draws from His story:

“The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 16:8-9 ESV)

Okay, that last sentence is obviously the lesson of the story. And, at least for a follower of Jesus, it sounds very much like a command to obey. So, what does it mean?

Sounds like some financial advice to me. But it also sounds like some forever advice. Use “unrighteous wealth”, says Jesus, to impact your “eternal dwellings.”

Invest in people who will one day take up residence in “houses of eternity” (Philips). People who will be there to welcome you when you’re ready to move into your “eternal home” (NLT).

Specific applications? Worth noodling on. Bottom line application? Whatever our investment strategies are today, they should ultimately serve towards “laying up treasures” for another day (Mt. 6:20).

To that end, while financial advice might be of some benefit here and now, forever advice is profitable for there and then. And where’s such advice found? In your bibles. In your church. In abiding in Christ. In experiencing the illuminating dynamic of the Spirit in us revealing to us what’s really real. In seeking first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33). In knowing that none of us can serve two masters, that we cannot serve God and money (Lk. 16:13). Instead, we serve God alone and faithfully steward whatever resources he’s given us, shrewdly, that we might prepare for a secure future. A future not tethered to this world, but one with eternal dwellings.

Lord, shape my heart to seek, and ready my ears to hear, not just good financial advice, but better yet — oh, so much better — forever advice.

By Your grace. For Your glory.