Today’s reading is Luke 15:1-16:31.

I have all kinds of questions about the parable of the “dishonest manager” in Luke 16:1-9. However, what really struck me is what Jesus said after the parable, especially Luke 16:12–”And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”

This parallels the previous verse. That which is another’s parallels the unrighteous wealth, that is, material goods. That which is my own parallels the true wealth. 

The first thing I get out of this is that the cash I’m carrying in my pocket is not really mine. The money sitting in my bank is not really mine. The car sitting in my driveway is not really mine. The house in which I live is not really mine. All of this actually belongs to another. I’m only the steward. Can I give a good accounting of it? 

We often talk about the contribution and ask the mistaken question, “How much of my money actually belongs to God?” We ask this trying to figure out how much we should give. The answer is it all belongs to Him. No, we don’t put all of it in the church’s collection. However, we are to use all of it to God’s glory.

However, the second thing I get out of this is if I’m faithful in this stewardship God is going to give me something that is my own. This is not saying if I’m good with a small salary, He’ll bless me with a greater one. The increased salary of unrighteous wealth is still a stewardship of what doesn’t belong to me. Rather, at some point there is some reward given to me that is mine. It is not just a stewardship but something that is totally mine. 

I don’t have the foggiest idea what that means. I can’t remotely tell you what that reward is. However, I want to get to that. I want to find out. The only way is to work on my stewardship with what is in my possession now. 

Boy, I’ve got some work to do.

***Question: What are some keys to being a good steward of these financial and material blessings that will help us be ready to receive the greater reward?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC