[Luke 16, Proverbs 24]

H – Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

E – Faithful Steward

In Luke 16 Jesus speaks a parable about dishonesty, honesty, unfaithfulness, faithfulness with your life and possessions. It calls the hearer to examine how they are stewarding all the Lord has allowed and blessed into their life. 

Jesus desired that His Disciples would live humbly, honest, and faithful before Him in all they had, unlike the Pharisees. The Pharisees were lovers of money (16:14). According to Jesus they were more devoted to serving their possessions than they were understanding His Kingdom (16:13, I think you could even put 16:31 in the mix). To the point that they despised the truth and ridiculed the truth teller (16:14). 

As religious leaders, the Pharisees had allowed ‘mamon’ (which is a Greek word meaning wealth and possessions) to become idolatrous possessions. It was their possessions that controlled the way they lived, worked, thought, responded, etc. It was what they were devoted to and had control of their life. Instead of using their resources to serve others and the Kingdom of God, they used it to serve themselves. Jesus followers were called to place their devotion on God and His Kingdom. 

I think this verse has been used in the wrong manner at times, either to shame others that are rich or justify oneself for being poor. The reality is Jesus is not talking bad about money. The point is to question how you are stewarding your life and possession for His Kingdom. 

The way to serve God rather than money is to put one’s resources to the service of others and the work of the Kingdom. And the more I do, the more God allows (16:10).

This weeks memory verse at Harmony is Proverbs 3:9-10, “[9] Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; [10] then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” How fitting.

A – 16:1 led me to ponder for a moment the question, “What am I wasting that God has entrusted me with?” The Lord has blessed me far more than I deserve. Everything I have and will be given should be used faithfully to meet the right needs, for myself and others. It should be used to support Kingdom ministries. He has given me Time, Talents, and Treasures and I don’t need to waste them. 

This is a call to Examination and Priority. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for your blessings. God I don’t want to waste them. You know what I need and you continue to meet my needs. Lord, help me to not become selfish to possessions that would lead me to idolatry. From my devotion to you help me to prioritize everything in my life that would meet the right needs for myself, others, and ministries. Lord, use all that I have for your Kingdom and your Glory. 

In Jesus Name!