Jesus shares a story with His followers about this dishonest estate manager who got fired and how he worked hard to make a soft landing place for himself by changing the invoices his boss’ clients owed. That made those clients really like him and his hope was that they would then provide him a way to live.
A side note: the boss saw this and determined that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world than children of light (v. 8 ). That struck me as interesting, but I’m not going into detail today.
Jesus points out two major lessons here. The first is to use your material possessions to further the work of God, then, when your possessions are gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The second is if you’re untrustworthy with material wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? If you’re not faithful with other people’s things, who will entrust you with your own?
I fully believe Jesus was talking about our hearts here, because it’s from the heart that these behaviors flow.
We can’t be surrendered to Christ and be self-indulgent.
Matter of fact, verse 13 says we can’t serve two masters. We simply can’t have a divided heart. We would be constantly at war within ourselves.
Oh, I get the wanting to serve Christ, but wanting to save for that vacation. I understand looking forward to His return, but hoping it’s not before our wedding/children/grandchildren, etc.
This is bigger than that. Are you hoarding money when you could drop $20 to help that single mom pay for her groceries? Are you all about letting the other person pay for your meal every time? It’s obvious where your heart is surrendered. Y O U.
When we surrender our hearts fully to the care and control of our Savior and King, we hear the whispered, “Give me a minute, I’ll have to take some of this off” from that single mom. You’ll notice the frantic search in an empty wallet by the guy at the gas station on the way to work. You’ll see an old friend or a new acquaintance and invite them to coffee or lunch, your treat.
You’ll become a true representative of Jesus. Jesus with skin on.
Today is the best day to examine ourselves. Where is your heart? Is it firmly in your clutches, guided by you, rewarded by the world? Is it entrusted to the Lord, guided by the Holy Spirit, rewarded by God? Are you thinking in terms of today or eternity?
Time for a change? Let’s do it!
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
