The parable of the \'shrewd manager\' in Luke 16 is probably my favorite parable. Please provide the evidence from Luke 16 itself that suggests this is about picking the pockets of evil, rich unbelievers. I think it is quite the opposite! Do I understand correctly? I think you are saying the talent parable is about literal money, right? Even if that is true, I say the emphasis in both parables is about GIVING your wealth away, using it, not bringing it in. In Luke 16, Christ is telling us to use our wealth, our literal money to \"gain friends for yourselves...\" (vs. 9) and in turn make our master--God--look good by being generous with what he has entrusted to us. Just as the evil manager was commended for his shrewd, but wise, actions, we too will be commended by our heavenly master for being shrewd and generous with what has been entrusted to our care, investing it wisely in loving acts of generosity and kindness. After all isn\'t it \"God\'s kindness (that) leads you toward repentance?\" (Romans 2:4). (Just as a side note notice how Paul in this Romans passage shows us what the real riches of God are, let us be found diligent and trustworthy with the \'true riches\' (Luke 16:11) that God has entrusted to us. The master commended his unworthy manager because it was very shrewd to win praise for both himself AND his master by using his master\'s possesions in this generous way. This is the very thing God wishes for us to do. God is exhorting us, \"Take what I\'ve given you and show the generosity and love of the master you serve!!!!!!!!!!!! They\'ll love you and they\'ll love me, too!. I\'ve given it, now be shrewd and wise with what I\'ve given you--USE IT!!!!!!!! What a witness you\'ll be!!!\" I can only say amen to the warning given by the previous person to you or anyone \"who think that godliness is a means to financial gain\" (1 Tim. 6:5). This cannot be ignored: \"Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be RICH IN FAITH and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?\" (James 2:5) Read on for his opinion about rich people in general.