He had worked hard and had received a bountiful harvest, which brought him a great deal of money. He decided to use the money to build even bigger barns to enable him to earn even more money. This man had intended to use his money as a hedge against death. But money cannot do that. It cannot do everything.
Money is one of the most tangible evidences of our priorities.
This third steward was punished NOT because he had failed to return a profit on the master's money, but because the lack of profit indicated he had failed to make the master's business a priority in his life. The second spiritual purpose for money is to allow us the privilege of responsible and meaningful contribution to GOD'S work. To participate with God in what He's doing all around us is a tremendous privilege, but also a great responsibility. With the passing of tax day this week, here's a great story, this one about our Methodist founder, John Wesley. Wesley limited his expenses by not buying the kinds of things generally considered essential for a man of his station in life.