Our scripture this morning is Luke 16:10-12 (NLT).
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
Jesus teaches us about responsibility and relationships in this lesson. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13) tells us of a man losing his position who makes friends of his master’s debtors by reducing their balances. I must admit, this story has always been hard for me to understand because it seems that the master commends this action and Jesus doesn’t seem to speak against it.
What Jesus tells us is that money is never more important than people, and that our connection to money can lead us away from our connection to God. Money, like any other tool, is neither good nor evil, it just is. How we use it for the good of our brothers and sisters is what is important to God.
When we are in a right relationship with God, we will also take responsibility for His gifts to us and use them as He intends. Let us be honest and caring managers, seeing the needs of the world and using the resources we have been given to help each other. Our earthly wealth will not follow us to eternity, our love for God will.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we are selfish with what You have given us. Help us to be generous with what we have, that all people may know Your love. Amen.
