What is the proper use of money in Luke 16:1-13?

What is the proper use of money in this passage? In v8, we are told that the non-Christians are often more shrewd in using their goods to further their interests, while Christians are less so. So how can Christians use their money and goods to gain the best results for themselves? If we believe that God gave us our money, what's the best way to further God's ends? How can we spend our goods and money for the growth of God's kingdom?

Yes, the man mismanaged the funds for the original master, but that just introduces the setup for what follows -- he is shown to be shrewd in using his position and goods for his best advantage. In v8, the master commended his steward for his smarts. Jesus applies this story to His hearers by telling them to use their goods to gain the best ends, and that means being faithful with what has been entrusted to them, vv10-12.

Jesus is addressing the Pharisees in Luke 15:1-2, who murmured that He "receives sinners and eats with them." Jesus uses that opening to share several truths that they had completely missed. These Pharisees were not going out to the sinners in love; they were wasting their opportunities. This passage is not for or against prosperity, but it's about not taking advantage of the opportunities to be of service and gain great rewards in the coming kingdom.

Your question is based on a misunderstanding. Rather than addressing the base question, I'm going to address the misunderstanding on which the question is based. Once the misunderstanding is cleared up, the question itself becomes moot.

Before doing so, I'd like to remind you that this site isn't about what we believe, but rather what Christianity teaches. We're not here to convince you that any particular part of Christianity, or Christianity as a whole is true, we're here to ask about and teach what Christianity teaches, separate from personal opinions on Truthfulness.

The Parable of talents is not generally understood to be about money. Parables are not meant to be literal. They are stories that teach a lesson, and they are often figurative.

From Wikipedia (Not my favorite source, but it'll do here).

Jesus' parables are seemingly simple and memorable stories, often with imagery, and all convey messages. Scholars have commented that although these parables seem simple, the messages they convey are deep, and central to the teachings of Jesus. Christian authors view them not as mere similitudes which serve the purpose of illustration, but as internal analogies where nature becomes a witness for the spiritual world.

So the question becomes, what is the analogy being taught here. Most Christian teachings agree that the message is simple: Those who show that they are responsible are trusted with more responsibility.

Example from https://bible.org/seriespage/parable-talents-matthew-2514-30-luke-1912-28:

We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord.

One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. Let us listen carefully then, looking to God’s Spirit to enlighten our hearts and minds, and to empower our service, to the glory of God and our eternal good.

This parable isn't about materialism. It's not about money. It's about that one undeniably true lesson - that responsibility is something that is given to those who can handle it. This is true in real life, on the job, in public service, in volunteer work, and in life in general. People in charge give responsibility to those who show that they can handle it.

Therefore, the idea that this teaches materialism is inaccurate.