Helping – Word for the Soul

Hold your money loosely

April 10, 2026April 7, 2026 Loring Schultz

You may be thinking today’s title is not wise advice and I would agree if I were walking the streets of New York city. I would be sure to have a secure grip on my wallet. Another thing that sounds strange is that money is not that important. Paul tells Timothy that money is ‘so unreliable.’ For the Christian, our trust should be in God and not in our money.

Holding on to our money too tight makes it harder for us to let it go. It gives us a false sense of security and blinds us to the needs of others around us. We are to trust God for our security because He supplies all our need with money left over to enjoy life. When we trust God with our finances we find there will be money left over to share with others. But if we hold tight that money in our hands we will never find out.

The Lord wants us to use our money wisely, ‘to do good’ with it. We are to be generous to those in need with our money but also in good works giving our time in whatever need others may have. Holding our money loosely and relying on God to meet our needs will not only bless us but those around us in need.

And there is nothing wrong in investing for the future. In fact it is wise. But while we are investing the same rule applies. Hold your investments loosely so you have money left over to invest in the kingdom of God. Make it a good deposit storing up treasures in heaven.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

Bible Studies

“Clever Christianity” The Parable of the Shrewd Manager: Parables of Jesus

May 19, 2024May 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” Luke 16:8 NLT

This week’s parable comes directly from life itself, an earthly story where all the characters are unjust and corrupt. How can we derive a heavenly meaning with such deception? With our sinful minds this is not possible, but Jesus is telling the story.

A rich business owner had a manager working for him who ran the operation. The manager had authority over the business as granted by the owner. He was trusted in all areas of the business including financial terms, acting as an agent for the owner. It was reported to the owner that his manager was wasting his money. Jesus doesn’t give us the exact details of the mismanagement only that he was wasteful to the point the owner demanded an accounting. “So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’” (Lk.16:2 nlt) The manager, realizing his position was about to come to an end, worked his status as a trusted agent to his advantage one more time.

As Jesus describes, the manager acted shrewdly. He had a plan and said, “Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.” (Lk.16:4 nlt) He secured his future with the means he had afforded to him although unjustly. The manager arranged a meeting with his boss’s clients and adjusted their bills to a lower amount which he had the authority to do. They would be grateful for the reduced payment and most likely will remember him when he was unemployed. Not unlike how business is done in 2024, people acting shrewdly to line their own pockets taking care of number one, themselves.

The owner, though outsmarted, revealed his character by commending his manager for his wittiness. “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd.” (Lk.16:8a nlt) And this is where Jesus turns this earthy story of dishonest rascals into a heavenly meaning. Jesus says, “And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” (Lk.16:8b nlt) Jesus makes the comparison between non-Christians and Christians on how they use earthly resources for the future and to gain friends. The unbelievers of this world do a better job. Jesus now gives us the lesson, “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (Lk.16:9 nlt)

Jesus noted that the unjust and corrupt of this world are smart enough to use their resources to make friends and plan for the future benefiting themselves. Christians today should do the same, but to benefit others. Clever Christianity is using our earthly resources for more than earthly matters but also heavenly ones. We are to use our resources honestly and wisely to help others, to gain friends, to lead others to Christ populating heaven so when we arrive, they will welcome us. And the Lord will commend all clever Christians for using what He has given us to serve Him.

Read: Luke 16:1-9 NLT – Parable of the Shrewd Manager – Jesus – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Entrusting What God has Given You

April 25, 2024April 24, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Luke 12:48b NLT

Every local community has people in need. There is a need for everyday subsistence such as food, clothes, and shelter. The logistics of getting to appointments, the grocery store, and even to church need to be met. There are people who have emotional needs who just need a friend to sit with them. Others need help to manage their finances and legal affairs. Many people need help with their everyday chores, and all of them can use a good laugh. For all these needs to be met there needs to be an overflow from others who have been given and entrusted with much by the Lord.

The questions then become what do I have to offer? Can I afford to be so generous with my money, talent, and resources? You can find the answer by assessing your needs. Very simply put, if your needs are met in every category listed above, you can afford it. You may also find that you are in need in some area of your life, and that is for others to meet your need after they make their own assessment. The Lord blesses everyone, but exactly in the same way. My needs are your overflow, and your needs are mine. Of course this is not always an equal balance in our view, but it is in God’s eyes and according to His plan.

Jesus said, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Lk.12:48b nlt) The Lord blesses us to bless others and He requires our participation. And those of us who have been ‘entrusted’ with much have a higher responsibility. We are committed to handle our overflow wisely. It is God’s gift to us in fulfilling the needs of others. More will be required of us. So, now the question is, are you entrusting what God has given you?