Luke 12:13-31
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:10-13 (NIV)
The old cowboy crawled into the saddle on his trusted horse, Apache, and hopefully headed home. The windblown snow was so thick he could barely see the horse’s ears, but he hoped Apache knew the way. This is blind trust between a horse and a man. After a time, the barn door appeared in front of them, they had made it, thanks to that trusted horse. Now possibly God had a hand in that rescue but as far as the cowboy knew it was his trusty old horse! How often do we trust someone else to lead the way? We trust our Pastors to not only educate us, but also to lead the way---our way to heaven. Have you been a trusted friend or advisor to others? Certainly, you know whom you trust. If someone cannot be trusted with a $5 bill you are not likely to loan them $5000! If you see a renter destroy their rental property, you are not likely to rent your property to them.
The United States currently has over 900 billionaires according to Google and Forbes. Do these folks serve only money as their master? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that some do a lot of good things with their riches. For example, Bill Gates funds a long list of organizations that fight hunger and health plus environmental and climate issues. Other billionaires do something similar. It could be true that some of these very wealthy folks spend their lives trying to accumulate more wealth. One would need to know their heart or possibly observe their actions. But we each know of those who are far from being wealthy yet share what they have with those in need. Those folks are often your neighbors and friends. They are using their money to serve God. To me, that is what Luke’s message is all about!
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you know someone who is quite wealthy? If so, does this person share their wealth with those in need? If they do, how do they do it?
- Do you share your wealth, no matter how large, with others? How about your hands? Your wealth may lie in your talents and the way you can physically help.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help me help others. Make me aware of those who are in need and could use a helping hand or helping gifts of another kind. And please help me recognize those who may be in need so that I can help. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen
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