Luke 16:1-15
Wednesday, 26 October 2022
Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. -Luke 16:10
Our service and commitment in the Lord’s vineyard as his stewards/ servants carries a great task of accountability to Him and his people for his purpose and glory. As stewards, we are called to serve him and his purpose selflessly and faithfully. When we are faithful in the little things and task placed in our hand by the Lord, he is bound by his word to increase and spread that task to the glory of His name.
Our reading today on the Parable of the Shrewd Manager is not to be misinterpreted that we act like him as he did to his master. But as Jesus explains in Vs 9-13 we are to learn to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us while we are on this earth so that we can be trusted with heavenly wealth. The focus is on being faithful on what God has entrusted us with while we are on the earth.
V9[NLT] reads: “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” The believer is not to use his earthly wealth selfishly, thinking of only of himself but invest into the lives of others- for God’s kingdom purposes so that he/she will in turn reap its benefits in heaven. This is the laying up of treasure in heaven of which Jesus talks about in Matthew 6:19&20.
When we choose to serve ourselves other than the Lord’s purpose, this breeds the foundation for destruction. Judas son of Simon Iscariot a steward and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, chooses to betray Jesus just for one reason, because his heart was not set on the Lord’s purpose but himself. In John 12:3 where Mary took a whole pint of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair, this Judas asked a question: "Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?" This question was asked not because he wanted to faithfully serve the Lord’s purpose or cared about the poor but because he was a thief and was carrying the money bag. This once infamous woman in the case appeared to be more faithful and committed than the disciple Judas. There is always great reward in selflessly serving the Lord to the glory of His holy name.
As stewards, we don’t need to think of ourselves too highly than we should but must serve faithfully the desires and purposes of our Lord and Master. Whatever He tells us to do that we must always tie our will to. Our allegiance and desires for service in His Kingdom- one of which is that He has called us to be “fishers of men.” He is the master fisherman; we are His stewards, we are with Him in the Boat of this world. Its our business to catch “dead souls” and bring to the Life-giver to make them alive.
It doesn’t matter what people may say or think about your faithful stewardship; people will always be people, and they will try to quench your spirit. But this should not in any way derail our journey to the mark of the high calling. We must always have our eyes fixed on Him as the source and provider of our strength and wellbeing to carry the task of His purpose on earth.
Prayer: “Lord God Almighty, strengthen my heart as a colt tied to Your will. Amen”
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