LUKE 16:1-13 CONTRASTS AND CONSEQUENCES Some things in life affect both believers and unbelievers in the same way. One of them is money and the use of it. When the Lord addressed this subject as recorded in this parable, He directed it toward His disciples even though the Pharisees standing by heard it plainly. Really - who is the true owner of what my name is on? Everything belongs to the Lord. We, are only and always stewards of what God has given us to use. In my use of my home, my vehicles or anything I have put may name on, it is only as a steward of this that God has allowed me to have for His purposes. It belongs to God. It is my responsibility to use it in a way that is befitting the Master I serve. The scheming steward in the story the Lord told had been using his master's goods for his own interests. If he was charging interest to his fellow Israelis or charging exorbitant interest to those of other groups, he was doing wrong. What he was doing was not just. He was an unjust steward and was in no way being commended by the Lord Jesus.
What the Lord was teaching is that everything we use belongs to God and we are to use it wisely in His best interests. Money can be used for good or evil. It is up to us to use it for purposes that are consistent with the will of God. The use of material goods has power to produce benefit or to corrupt us. It is my responsibility to use what God has allowed me to have in ways that will produce in me and in others, faith and obedience to Him who owns it. We have opportunities and benefits (goods) to use every day. Our God has given us what we have to use for His glory and the benefits of His kingdom. Every day that passes gives me responsibilities and choices that can be profitable or wasted. I have to live with the consequences of my choices. I cannot ignore that others see what I am doing with whatever the Master has entrusted to me. Let nothing be done whereby they may make an accusation against Him because of me.
God has given us the use of financial opportunities to use with wisdom and understanding. This does not earn a place in heaven for me but can be a means to help others find Christ. The people of the world are often more committed to the use of what they have for their own gain, than the children of God are who have been given things of eternal value to use for the kingdom of God. When I have the understanding of what God has given to me to use for Him, then I will be faithful in using it.
There are opportunities that arise to use what we have, be it little or much, for the work of the Lord. I have been given this by God to use in a trustworthy manner with integrity. The shrewd steward in the story the Lord Jesus told, used his opportunities to help himself in the future. What we "owe" our Lord is everything. The "mammon of unrighteousness" (money) can be used for right reasons. Money in itself is nothing but a tool to be used. Money isn't the "root of all evil," the "love of money" is. The steward was a man who did wrong and used it for selfish reasons. As those who have been given money to use, we can use it in a right way to bring blessings to others. Money does not provide happiness. But if I allow money to be my master, it is a hard master that can deceive me very quickly. No amount of money can give me satisfaction, bring me peace or make me happy. Whether I have little or much, I must never let it master me. Whether faithful or dishonest in both the little things or the great things, that is up to me. Can God trust me with money? Am I a slave to the possessions God has allowed me to have? Do I worry about money or the lack of it? Do I think about it a lot and talk about it often? When opportunities arise to make more money, do I give up what I should be doing to make more money? Do I spend a lot of time taking care of what I claim as my possessions? Am I in debt to the extent I am a slave to those I owe money to? Is it hard for me to give money away? These questions challenge me to evaluate who I am and what I am expected to do as a steward for the Lord.
When it comes to the contrast of God and mammon - if mammon is the one I serve, it will make me edgy, temperamental and touchy. The person who serves God is kind, gentle and unaffected by the rise and fall of the stock market or the value of those things God has allowed him to have. The balanced nature of a child of light sees beyond the mere stockpile of goods and the amount of money invested, to the value of what can be done to further the interests of the Master and His kingdom.
"What is that in thy hand" was asked of a person of old. Those things we consider important are what we have and hold. Everything we claim for ourselves, came from our Father in the beginning. Each one should be used for His glory; if not, then I am sinning.
A home to live in is needed; with food and raiment I'm to be content. From time to time to my hand comes something the Master to me has sent To be used by me in His service and He lets me make the decision As to how and what I should do with it to meet the present condition.
The greatest need of a steward is to the Master and His will to be faithful. To be allowed to serve Him in life, is a privilege for which I am grateful. For His own reason He has trusted me to use what I have been given for Him. The careless handling of such a trust would be a very serious sin.
There is cause and effect to everything I put out my hand to do. When done as a faithful steward, there will be blessing when I am through. With wisdom and understanding the benefits can be quite far-reaching. The proper use of the money God gives is often much better than teaching.
I need to keep a clear perspective on what God has given me to use. The temptation to keep it for myself is a bad one, I am responsible to choose How and where it is best to bring the Master the greatest dividends. Then I will be able to ask His blessing on everything He has chosen to send.
Money can be used in two ways; it can be invested in bad things or good. The bad will produce only grief, the good uses will do what it should To help the work of God's kingdom, and bring blessing where it can. The proper use of "mammon" will honor God and help out needy man.
" Father, by Thy wisdom and guidance, help us to always use what Thou hast given us in ways that Thou canst bless. Keep me from the careless use of money, and please keep it from occupying my mind and thoughts lest it take the throne of my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
LUKE 16: 13. “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despised the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
CONTRASTS AND CONSEQUENCES. UNJUST OR FAITHFUL [1-12] The goods were there, opportunities abound; profits to be made blessings to be found – But wasted. Choices to be made for profit or loss; rushing around not counting the cost – Or consequences. What others see and what I do; I cannot ignore what I know is true – I’m the accused. There’s cause and effect, something must be done; act now before accounting comes – Don’t wait. I’ve been given much, use it quickly now; when the Master comes, I must tell Him how – I used His goods.
GOD OR MAMMON [13-18] I am not my own, I’m a servant of God; it is His right to control my every word – Under Authority. The one I love, other one I hate; the one I obey, the other one I make wait –
Shows Attitude. The one I despise, I will not give time; the one I hold to, I claim nothing mine – Servant-Actions. Covetousness and spite go along together; they both bring trouble no matter to whoever. Selfishness and sight want everything they see; I must be careful, or they’ll overpower me. Lawlessness and slight are a pair of twins; not realizing the consequence of sins.
RICH AND POOR [19-22] The one has clothes and lots of food; the other nothing and goes to “Dr. Dog.” The one’s in a house so great and fine; the other on the street where he spends his time. The one is healthy thinking he’ll live so long; the other died first, but now both are gone. They both had life and they both met death; far apart in life, now farther yet they spread – By a Great Gulf Fixed.
HEAVEN AND HELL [23-31] At the present time, neither near or far, affects us much as to where we are. The day is coming when we’re carried and buried; the one is close – the other far. One is comforted, the other in pain; one at peace, the other in flame. One is with others, the other alone; one in darkness, the other at home. One has good, the other has bad; one is happy, the other is sad. One is alive, the other is dead; one filled with joy, the other with dread. The contrasts are plain, it is not hard to see; the destiny of mine is up to me.
“I need discernment, O heavenly Father, to always make decisions and see things through Your eyes. Some choices are easy because they are so far removed from what is right. Others are tougher because they are more convenient and don’t see too off base. I need my divine nature to not be ignored. I need this throne of grace in this needy time. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”