As someone who has spent decades teaching and advocating for personal financial stewardship, I often find myself returning to Scripture for wisdom and guidance. One parable that has always intrigued me is Luke 16:1–13, often titled The Parable of the Dishonest Manager. At first glance, it seems perplexing. Why would Jesus commend a dishonest man? But like many of His teachings, the deeper truth lies beneath the surface.

The parable tells the story of a manager who was about to be fired for wasting his master’s possessions. Realizing he’s in trouble, he calls in his master’s debtors and reduces their debts—presumably to curry favor so they’ll take care of him later. Surprisingly, Jesus says, “The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness” (v.8). Not for his dishonesty, but for his prudence.

That detail matters. As someone deeply involved in financial education, especially here in the Philippines, I see this parable as a profound lesson on wisdom, stewardship, and eternal priorities.

Stewardship Is a Trust

The first thing that strikes me is the accountability of the manager. He was merely a steward of someone else’s wealth. That’s a concept I try to impress on Filipinos: everything we have is entrusted to us by God. Our jobs, our income, our possessions—even our time and talents—aren’t really ours. We are managers, not owners.

This mindset changes everything. When we recognize that God is the true owner, we stop asking, “What do I want to do with my money?” and instead begin asking, “Lord, what would You have me do with what You’ve given me?” That’s a huge paradigm shift, and one that forms the foundation of biblical personal finance.

Be Shrewd… for the Right Kingdom

Jesus says something very provocative: “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light” (v.8). In other words, unbelievers often show more savvy and intentionality with money than believers do.

I’ve met many brilliant entrepreneurs, savvy investors, and disciplined savers who are not followers of Christ. Meanwhile, I’ve also seen many Christians struggle—not due to lack of faith, but due to lack of financial literacy and planning.

But Jesus isn’t telling us to imitate the dishonesty of the manager. He’s telling us to imitate his intentionality. The manager thought ahead. He used what little time and resources he had left to prepare for his future.

How often do we think about eternity when we make financial decisions? Do we give generously? Do we invest in what matters to God—His Church, His mission, and the people He loves?

Jesus says, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (v.9). That’s a poetic way of saying: Use your money now to make an eternal impact. Help others. Fund the Gospel. Be a blessing. Because money will one day fail—but the Kingdom won’t.

Faithfulness in Little Things

Another powerful verse in this passage is verse 10: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…”

We often wait for “more” before we start honoring God with our finances. “When I get a raise, I’ll start giving.” “When I earn more, I’ll budget better.” But Jesus flips that thinking. Faithfulness begins with what you have now, not with what you hope to have later.

When I started my financial journey, I wasn’t wealthy. I had to work hard to pay off debts, live within my means, and make tough decisions. But it was in those small acts of obedience that God shaped my character and deepened my trust in Him. Looking back, I realize those moments mattered more than the big breaks. They built the foundation for everything else.

You Cannot Serve God and Money

The passage ends with a clear and sobering statement: “No servant can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money” (v.13). That hits deep.

Money is a powerful tool, but it’s also a dangerous master. In our culture—especially in urban centers like Makati—money often becomes an idol. We chase it for security, status, or even identity. But Jesus reminds us: you can only have one true Master.

I’ve had to ask myself hard questions over the years. Am I using money to serve God, or am I using God to get more money? Is my financial life aligned with Kingdom values, or am I just dressing up materialism with spiritual language?

Eternal ROI

Luke 16 reminds me that money is temporary but stewardship is eternal. I want to be a wise and faithful steward—not perfect, but intentional. I want to use every peso, every opportunity, and every season to honor God and invest in what matters to Him.

We all have resources, no matter how limited. The question is: are we managing them with eternity in mind?

When I teach financial literacy, I don’t just want people to be debt-free or financially independent—though those are worthy goals. I want them to see money the way Jesus does: as a tool for faithfulness, generosity, and Kingdom impact.

May we all be found faithful stewards, shrewd for the right reasons, and rich in what truly matters.

There are days when I sit down with my budget and feel the weight of stewardship like a heavy mantle on my shoulders. As someone who teaches personal finance, I know full well the biblical call to manage money wisely. I believe in budgets, in living within your means, in delayed gratification, and in investing with eternity in mind. But every now and then, I wrestle with this question:

Am I merely a steward, or am I also a son? And how do those two identities relate when it comes to money?

The Call to Stewardship

Scripture is crystal clear: God owns everything, and I own nothing.
Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” That means every peso I earn, every asset I acquire, even the breath in my lungs—it all belongs to Him. I am simply a steward—a manager entrusted with His resources.

Jesus reinforces this in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30), where servants are entrusted with the master’s property and held accountable for what they do with it. This parable has shaped much of my life and teaching: we are not owners; we are entrusted managers.

Because of this, I’ve worked hard to live out biblical stewardship—saving diligently, giving generously, avoiding debt, and teaching others to do the same. Stewardship brings discipline, clarity, and purpose to our finances. But stewardship alone can become transactional if we forget the bigger picture.

The Assurance of Sonship

In moments of pressure—when investments don’t perform, when expenses pile up, or when giving becomes sacrificial—I have to remind myself:

I am not just a steward. I am a son.

Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”

There’s profound rest in knowing that I am a child of God, not just His employee. Sons have access. Sons have inheritance. Sons are loved, not just evaluated.

When I slip into a purely stewardship mindset, I sometimes find myself anxious and controlling. I worry if I’ve done enough, saved enough, or given enough. But the identity of a son reminds me that I don’t earn God’s favor through spreadsheets. My worth isn’t tied to how well I manage the money—it’s rooted in the finished work of Christ.

The Tension: Balancing Both Identities

So which one is it? Am I a steward or a son?

The answer is both, but with an important order.
I am a son first, and because I am a son, I steward well.

My stewardship flows out of my sonship. I manage God’s resources not to earn His approval but because I already have it. My financial obedience is not to gain His love, but because I am secure in it.

Luke 15 tells the story of the prodigal son, but it’s also the story of the older brother—the one who stayed, obeyed, and served, but missed the joy of simply being a son. That story humbles me. I don’t want to be a financial older brother—diligent but disconnected from the Father’s heart.

My Thoughts

Being a steward keeps me faithful.
Being a son keeps me secure.

Yes, we are called to be wise, diligent, and accountable with money. But let’s never forget:

We are not just God’s managers—we are His children.

So today, I budget with discipline and give with generosity. But I do so with joy, not anxiety. Because before I am a steward of the Kingdom—I am a son of the King.

As a personal finance advocate and follower of Christ, I have always been drawn to what the Bible teaches about money, investing, and building wealth. With proper context, Scripture provides profound wisdom on these topics, offering guidance on how we should steward our financial resources with wisdom and integrity. Investing is not just about accumulating wealth for personal gain but about managing God’s resources wisely for His purposes.

Stewardship: The Foundation of Biblical Investing

One of the most fundamental biblical principles about wealth is stewardship. Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” Everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His blessings. This means that our financial decisions, including investing, should reflect His values.

Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates this beautifully. The master entrusts his servants with money, expecting them to invest and multiply it. Two of the servants faithfully increase what they were given, while the third, out of fear, buries his talent and is rebuked for his inaction. This parable teaches us that God expects us to use and grow the resources He entrusts to us, not squander them in fear or laziness.

Diligence and Hard Work

Proverbs 13:11 states, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” This verse underscores the importance of patience and diligence in financial growth. Investing is a long-term endeavor, requiring wisdom, discipline, and perseverance. Get-rich-quick schemes and speculative ventures often lead to ruin, while steady, disciplined investing leads to lasting prosperity.

The Bible also encourages hard work as a means of financial success. Proverbs 14:23 affirms, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Investing wisely requires effort—researching, planning, and being patient with the process. Hard work, when coupled with faith, is a biblical approach to wealth-building.

Avoiding Greed and Dishonest Gain

While the Bible encourages wealth-building, it also warns against greed and unethical practices. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Notice that money itself is not the problem—it’s the love of money that leads to corruption. Our motivation for investing and building wealth should be aligned with God’s purposes, not personal greed.

Proverbs 28:20 states, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Ethical investing and wealth-building require honesty and integrity. We should avoid unethical business practices, dishonest gain, or investments that exploit others. Honoring God in our financial dealings should always be our priority.

Diversification and Wise Planning

Ecclesiastes 11:2 offers sound financial advice: “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” This verse highlights the wisdom of diversification—spreading investments across different assets to manage risk. Modern financial experts echo this principle, encouraging diversified portfolios to safeguard against market fluctuations.

Proverbs 21:5 further supports careful planning: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Investing should be a deliberate, well-thought-out process rather than impulsive or reckless decisions. Long-term financial security comes from patience, wisdom, and strategic planning.

Generosity and Kingdom Impact

One of the greatest purposes of wealth-building is to be a blessing to others. Proverbs 11:25 teaches, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” God blesses us financially so we can bless others—whether through tithing, supporting missions, helping the poor, or funding initiatives that advance His kingdom.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 emphasizes generous giving: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” As we invest and build wealth, we should cultivate a generous heart, always remembering that our blessings are meant to be shared.

Trusting God Over Wealth

While wise investing and wealth-building are biblical principles, our trust should never be in our financial security but in God alone. Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Our ultimate security comes not from our investments but from God’s provision.

Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” While financial planning is important, our greatest investment should always be in eternal things—our relationship with God, our family, and the work of His Kingdom.

This is something I need to remind myself: wealth is not an end in itself but a tool for advancing God’s purposes.

The question I ask myself—and encourage others to ask—is: Am I managing my finances in a way that honors God? My goal is not just financial success but faithful stewardship, using wealth as a means to serve God and bless others. If we align our financial decisions with biblical principles, we will not only experience financial peace but also the deep satisfaction of knowing that we are living in obedience to God’s will.

My 2 cents.