Thursday, December 12

Oiling the Wheels of Life

Luke 16:9-13 NLT

9 I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.

Make friends – be generous with what you have, a gift makes room for you in someone’s world

10 “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

The small counts – well its just a ‘white lie’, ‘they will never miss it’ – the problem with this is there is then no guarantee how you will react in a more significant situation when under pressure. A character flaw has already been sown. Show integrity in the small matters then you have a character that is more likely to handle the big and pressured matters well too.

11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?

Respect what is in your world. Live within your means. Be responsible with what you have. Your spiritual development depends on it!

12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?

When we borrow something from someone return it. Handle otherʼs possessions like your own. After all when you have your own you are still simply a steward of what God has given you.

13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one & love the other, or be devoted to one & despise the other.You cannot serve both God & money”

The best way to detach your heart from the love of money is to always be grateful for what you have. Gratitude recognises a dependency on another, God, for what is in your world.

ʻThe happiest people donʼt have the best things, they just simply appreciate the things that they have.ʼ Warren Buffet