Have you ever thought deeply about the parable of the shrewd steward? If you recall, his master demanded that he make an accounting of all of his dealings because the master was going to fire the steward. The steward, afraid that he would be unable to work or beg, came up with a plan. He renegotiated the debts others owed the master. Thus, when he was fired, he would be able to mooch off of these people for some time.
Cultural things aside, the way Jesus praised the shrewd steward is interesting. Jesus said,
“for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.” (Luke 16:8)
Jesus was declaring that those who did not care about the things of God know what to do with the opportunities that present themselves. They are looking out for number one. They do it all the time. They know how to get the things they want or care about. They might use kindness, trickery, or payment. Whatever they use, they know how to get what they really want.
Jesus’ statement may seem odd to us, but the question comes back to us for an answer. Christians claim to care about God, Jesus, and eternity. We claim to care about the eternal destinies of those we love. Does how we use worldly wealth and time look like it? If lost people know how to look out for ‘number one’, do we? Our ‘number one’ should be the Lord Jesus Christ. However, doesn’t Jesus’ question cut us to the quick even more because of that? He states that the non-believer is always looking out for themselves. They know what to do to get what they want. Do we know how to use worldly wealth to get what we say that we want? Does what we use money for declare that our life is about Jesus and His mission? This is what Christ’s comment is all about. Those who care little about the things of God, know how to chase what they want. God’s people seem to struggle chasing after the things of Christ. That is Christ’s comparison. It is a comparison that stings a bit, doesn’t it?!
So, my question today is this: how will you and I intentionally seek to raise God up and share Him with others this week? Will we use what we have to do so?
Something to think about,
Pastor John
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