Sunday, January 16, 2011

Being wise.

Luke 16

Wisdom is one of those gifts that are not easily acquired. It is a gift from God. When you first read this passage it seems as if Jesus is condoning stealing or under-handed dealings but that would be inconsistent with the rest of Jesus’ teaching. Instead what Jesus is doing is giving us a valuable teaching about life and the kingdom.

A manager is going to be fired. Knowing this he decides to secure his future by reducing the debt of all of his boss’ accounts. He recognizes the value of his money management. He secures the future for himself and all of the accounts.

Jesus is not condoning the stealing but the wisdom and shrewdness of handling finances. God has given all of us gifts. He expects us to use them wisely. We also need to understand how to use the money and resources of this world with wisdom. Monetary wealth is temporal and nothing of eternal value; however, what we do with it can extend the kingdom and touch many lives.

The long and short of it is this; if we can not be trusted to wisely use the resources of this world, if we waste our time, energy, and money, how will God ever trust us with the things that are eternal? He who is faithful with little will be given much!

The size of the wealth is unimportant, it is what we do with what we have been given that makes the difference. The story of the rich man and Lazarus further emphasizes this point. What made the difference between these two men? It was how they used what they have been given. Lazarus had great faith, even though he had nothing. How do I know? He ended up in heaven. He had nothing but faith and because he used the gift he was given to its fullest he was trusted with the eternal. The rich man was judged with the same judgment and failed. He could not be trusted with the eternal, he squandered his life, he had no real relationship with God. It cost him his eternity. This is not something that happens over night. God is constantly drawing us to Himself. If we continue to ignore His call, our hearts begin to harden, we waste time, energy and money on our own selfishness, and relationship with God becomes at best superficial, and at worst non-existent.

It is wisdom to keep our relationship with the Lord fresh. It is wisdom to daily give our lives and gifts over to the Lord. It is wisdom to respect the Lord and desire Him above all. The reward is success in this world with the worldly gifts and spiritual gifts and eternity in the Kingdom.

Choose wisdom!

Tomorrow Luke 17

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Now, to be wise.........