50 Days of Wisdom

Jesus told a parable in Luke 16 of an unbeliever who used his money very shrewdly and wisely, and He instructs believers to do the same. In response to that parable, Jesus then gave us three basic lessons. The first lesson is in verse 9, and it's about money and your attitude toward others. Verse 9: "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." The first lesson is to use your money for the advance of the gospel so that people will be saved, and those people you helped save will be in heaven to welcome you when you get there. They will be your friends for eternity. So the first lesson is about money and your attitude toward others. The second lesson starts in verse 10 and is about money and your attitude toward self. Verse 10-12: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" Jesus is speaking of eternal blessings and eternal riches. Verse 12: "And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property"—your money is not yours; it belongs to God—"who will give you property of your own?" Again, that's eternal reward. So, while you're here, your first perspective should be that you want to invest in the salvation of others who will be in heaven to welcome you when you arrive. Secondly, it's a matter of faithfulness. It's not a matter of how much. If I'm unfaithful in a little, I'll be unfaithful in much. If I'm unfaithful in much, I'll be unfaithful in little. It's a question of faithfulness. It's a spiritual perspective. And if I am faithful, I will find when I get to heaven the true, eternal riches that will become my own. And then the third lesson from our Lord is in verse 13: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You can't serve God and mammon (money)." Pretty simple! The first lesson is about money and your attitude toward others: Use it in gospel enterprises. The second lesson is about money and your attitude toward self: It's a measure of your personal faithfulness. And the third lesson is about money and your attitude toward God: How you relate to your money determines whether you're serving him or you're serving money, and you can't serve both. That's impossible. Thus, summing it up, no earthly commodity is more revealing of our devotion on all fronts—the things that really matter, the souls of others, our own spiritual life, and God himself—than money. You either use your money the correct way, or you waste it, you forfeit it, and you have nothing eternal to show for it. Purchasing friends for eternity through gospel involvement welcomes you into heaven in a glorious way. Being faithful here will guarantee that God will reward you there. If you are faithful here, he will be faithful to you there. We know this from the parables that Jesus told. He gave certain things to stewards, and they were given the opportunity to multiply those things, and when they did it well, He said, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord." And he who is faithful over little becomes lord over much. And understand this: You either serve God and His glory with your money (which is actually God's money He allows you use) or you serve yourself with material things. Ultimately, our financial decisions reveal our attitudes towards others, ourselves, and God. Repent and believe! GTY.org (42-207)–Escaping Materialism

Today's Wisdom

Day: 992

August 6, 2026

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Grace and peace,

My name is Mark Paul from Wauchula, Florida, and like the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:14, "I know that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent." Consequently, my goal is to leave a legacy that will continue to advance the kingdom of God long after I have departed. In other words, bear fruit for eternity. And by simply reading and sharing my free eBooks, you too become contributors to the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you for partaking in this endeavor, and I look forward to greeting you on heaven's shore.

The Truth in Love,

Mark Paul - Servant of God

Now grant, O Lord, that when the souls who read these books cast their eyes upon these lines, their minds may be illuminated and their consciences convinced and awakened, that they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and be converted so that You may heal them. Amen!