What Kind of Manager Are You?

In Luke 16:1-8, we read the parable of the unrighteous steward/manager. The parable is basically about a bad manager getting fired who realizes he is fixing to be without a job and he had better get ready for that reality. He is not going to work or beg so he ends up cutting his master’s debtors a deal so they will look after him in the future. First off, let me say I do not believe Jesus is approving of stealing or lying, both of which I think this steward could be charged with (Matthew 19:18). So what is being taught here? He is praised for acting shrewdly. If lying and stealing are not the shrewd behavior he is praised for, what is? He prepared for his future. He knew a future was coming that he was unprepared for, and he got prepared. The first lesson for us is: are we prepared for the future (Jesus’ return)? If not, we had better get that way.

How did this steward prepare for the future? With money/possessions that did not belong to him. That is what Jesus wants us to do, according to verses 9-13. I do not mean stealing money from a bank, business, or person. I am talking about using what has been given to you and is not your own. You are just a steward of the blessings that God has given you. None of your stuff is really yours. If you do not believe that, die and see how much you carry with you. While we are alive, we are called to be good stewards of the blessings of God in preparation for eternity. That means more than just making sure our 401k is fully funded. We are to use our physical blessings on others. How can we use the physical blessings of God to influence others for His glory? Jesus asks some tough questions in these verses. If I cannot be faithful in little/unrighteous/another’s wealth, how will I be faithful in much/true/own wealth? Who is my master?

How Much Do We Love?

In Luke seven we find Jesus at the house of Simon (a Pharisee) at a table. While Jesus was reclining there, a sinful woman began washing His feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. She also anointed His feet with costly perfume she had brought. It seems Simon began to think less of Jesus because He was allowing this. Jesus, reading his mind, asked a question. A moneylender was owed 500 denarii by one and 50 by another. Neither was able to pay so he forgave both. Which would love him more? Simon answer correctly by stating the one who owed more. Jesus then put the lesson into application. Simon had done little for Jesus, but the sinful woman had done much (Luke 7:40-47).

“I have never committed adultery. I have never physically killed anyone. So I am feeling pretty good about myself if I forget a long list of sins I have committed. When I was baptized, I was a pretty good old boy according to the world. I just needed to get baptized because the Bible says so.” Maybe that is Simon’s mindset. He is a religious leader and considered a good guy according to the world. We might need some forgiveness but probably not much. There lies Simon’s and our problem if we think that way. Our sins, no matter how big or small, many or few, separate us from God and, if not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, will send us to hell. We all are in debt more than we can pay. On the other hand, the sinful woman understood quite well that she was far from God. That motivated penitence and service. 

What might be some application for us? I think we need to continually remind ourselves how much God has done for us. We were lost and bound for hell because of our sin problem, but God stepped in. Praise God! That gratitude should motivate us to love much, as the text says, which comes out in a life of service to the One who has saved us. How much has God forgiven you?

I Found IT

Has there ever been anything you wanted really badly? You checked all the stores and nothing. You scoured the internet and nothing. You put a post on Facebook and nothing. Sure, you found some knockoffs and some cheap versions of what you are looking for but not a genuine real one. You had almost given up hope until… Maybe it is a yard sale or trade day. Maybe a friend calls and asks if you were looking for such and such. However it is, you find what you are looking for. The price is high, but this is what you have wanted so you are not letting it get away. The joy you feel as what you have been looking for is finally in your hands! If you have experienced this, I think you might begin to grasp what is going on in Matthew 13:45-46 which says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.’

Let’s do some interpretation. We have a person seeking valuable things (pearls). He understands the value of these things. So when he comes across something of great value, he is willing to sell all that he has to obtain that thing (pearl) of greater value.

Let's do some application. What are we seeking? Are we seeking out in life things of value or junk? I think the reality is that in the world we live in, most are seeking junk, and we need to be careful we do not do the same. We will never know what is of great value if we do not know what is valuable. Do you know what is truly valuable? Salvation is the greatest value, but many miss it because they are chasing other things (junk) and do not recognize its value. When we find that which is of great value, we need to be willing to sell everything to obtain it. Are we willing to continually give all for the Lord?