Thoughts for the Day

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

‘Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We looked at the first half of this parable in Luke's Gospel yesterday ('Thoughts'), and now pick up the second half.
Jesus has pointed out that the people of the world (non-believers) are better at planning for their future than the children of light (believers), and that we should learn to put as much effort into the things of tomorrow as we put into the things of today, so that we build up 'treasure in Heaven'.

This whole parable is based on the concept that God owns everything and that we are merely stewards of this world. Jesus speaks of those who put their trust in 'dishonest wealth'. In the original phrase this was actually 'unrighteous mammon', which meant 'the things of the world in which we trust'. We think that money and riches can offer us so much, but we should remember they don't necessarily offer happiness, or for that matter everlasting life.

So instead we should use what God has given to us (our time, talent, and money) to further His work. We are to invest wisely (as a financial adviser would say), meaning that we are to be generous with what we have, using it for ourselves and also for the benefit of others. Jesus points out that those who are faithful with the little they have today, will be given much in the life to come. Remember, your little time, talents or money may just be what God needs.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we learn to be wise
in our spiritual life
as well as in our everyday life.
May we put as much energy
and effort into our Christian life
as we do in securing our daily life.
Help us to share what we do have
however small or great that is,
and to be grateful for what You give us.
Amen.