Word@Work Luke249 - Luke 16:10-12
Published: Mon, 12/06/10
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Luke 16:10-12 "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?" (NIV)
How do you know that somebody can be trusted? Usually, you look to see if there is any evidence of trustworthiness. Those who have been reliable, honest, effective and productive in other matters may also be able to manage your business. That is the basis of business references; if the applicant for your job has a glowing testimonial from a previous employer, then you may be encouraged to appoint the person.
Jesus makes the same point. Honesty breeds honesty, and dishonesty is likely to be repeated. Physical money is not gospel truth: nevertheless, those who cannot be trusted with money are unsuitable gospel messengers. The value of worldly wealth is as a test to see how well God can trust His children with truth and the glorious things of lasting value.
The point is clear, but the application may not be so obvious. Jesus was training His apostles to take the precious truths of salvation into the world and be instrumental in planting churches to the honour and glory of the Lord Jesus. He had selected the Twelve and was now testing them. One, Judas Iscariot, would fail the test. He was known to be a thief (John 12:6) and his lust for money even led him to betray his Master for money
So it may be helpful to see the practical activities of everyday life at home and work as being divine tests to train and equip those whose character is faithful to God. We must not divide our lives into sacred and secular compartments because what we really are, will show through. If that thought is horrifying, there is still time to repent and choose to replace old habits with new ones. It may take time to learn a different way, but, if we do not, there is little credit to our discipleship.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You for this reminder that You see all of our lives and You know the extent to which You can trust us. Please forgive me for failings which point to defects in my character. Please help me to be honest about them and to learn the importance of being faithful in the little things of everyday life, so that You will be able to trust me with responsibilities which will be significant for eternity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
How do you know that somebody can be trusted? Usually, you look to see if there is any evidence of trustworthiness. Those who have been reliable, honest, effective and productive in other matters may also be able to manage your business. That is the basis of business references; if the applicant for your job has a glowing testimonial from a previous employer, then you may be encouraged to appoint the person.
Jesus makes the same point. Honesty breeds honesty, and dishonesty is likely to be repeated. Physical money is not gospel truth: nevertheless, those who cannot be trusted with money are unsuitable gospel messengers. The value of worldly wealth is as a test to see how well God can trust His children with truth and the glorious things of lasting value.
The point is clear, but the application may not be so obvious. Jesus was training His apostles to take the precious truths of salvation into the world and be instrumental in planting churches to the honour and glory of the Lord Jesus. He had selected the Twelve and was now testing them. One, Judas Iscariot, would fail the test. He was known to be a thief (John 12:6) and his lust for money even led him to betray his Master for money
So it may be helpful to see the practical activities of everyday life at home and work as being divine tests to train and equip those whose character is faithful to God. We must not divide our lives into sacred and secular compartments because what we really are, will show through. If that thought is horrifying, there is still time to repent and choose to replace old habits with new ones. It may take time to learn a different way, but, if we do not, there is little credit to our discipleship.
Prayer: Holy Lord. Thank You for this reminder that You see all of our lives and You know the extent to which You can trust us. Please forgive me for failings which point to defects in my character. Please help me to be honest about them and to learn the importance of being faithful in the little things of everyday life, so that You will be able to trust me with responsibilities which will be significant for eternity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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