LUKE 16:10-13 FAITHFUL IN ADEQUATE: FAITHFUL IN ABUNDANCE

FAITHFUL IN ADEQUATE:

FAITHFUL IN ABUNDANCE

LUKE 16:10-13

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Susan: If a person is diligent and honest when given a small task or amount to manage, it follows that he will be the same way when entrusted with more.

Susie: Jesus made that same point in the parable about the man who left three servants in charge of portions of his money. Two wisely invested it, and the third just buried it. Those who were wise were rewarded for their integrity and diligence by being given more to manage:

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Susie: Several times in the New Testament we see Jesus indicating that the way we use the resources God gives us on earth will be rewarded with treasure in Heaven.  The true riches are spiritual, the truths the Holy Spirit infuses in us as we follow Christ.

Susan: True riches have eternal significance—relationships with fellow believers, those we have introduced to Jesus, etc. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to exhort people who had worldly wealth to be wise, generous, and responsible with their God given abundance.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Susie: Many of the wealthiest Christians I have known, did not in any way flaunt their riches. In fact, most people did not know their net worth. What I found true about most of them was that they quietly helped others, opened their large homes for fellowships and Bible studies, and were faithful givers to their local church. They were living out Paul’s admonishment to use their earthly abundance to further the kingdom of God.

Susan: What I have noticed about the well-off Christians I know is that they socialize with all socio-economic classes of people. They are not snobbish.

Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Susie: Stewards were managers of their master’s money and estate. We are stewards of another “man’s” wealth. However, our master is the Lord God Himself. Here on earth we manage what He graciously allows us to use.

Susan: At God’s appointed time, we who trust in Jesus will be given an inheritance that will not diminish, that is eternal. The greatest of these blessings will be communing with Jesus face to face, in His physical presence.

1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. . .

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 despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Susie: Money in and of itself is neither good nor evil.

Susan: It is a tool of exchange. Where the good or evil comes in is in how a person views wealth, and the attitude of their heart, whether it is focused on the world or on honoring the Lord.

Susie: Wealth can lead to evil if we begin to worship riches rather than worshipping the God who provides them. Wealth used to meet our needs, the needs of others, and to further God’s kingdom is being used wisely.

Susan: Wealth that is hoarded is not being put to its best use. None of us can take the earthly wealth we’ve been given into the next life.

Susie: Money does not necessarily guarantee happiness. Many rich people are not content, continually striving like a baby crying, “More! More! More!” The things entrusted to us by our Master, our Father, are to be held lightly in order to be available for His purposes. Our devotion must be focused on our Redeemer and not on the gifts He gives us. They are merely tools to be used to further His kingdom.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Ponder this and Apply it: God provides all we need. We are stewards of the blessings He bestows. He does not call everyone to sell everything to follow Him, but He does require us to use what He has given us wisely. We need to evaluate our finances in light of kingdom goals and hold onto things loosely. Not always easy to do (in fact, very difficult at times) but will be richly rewarded with peace now and treasure in Heaven.