Luke 16 – Shrewd Management and Sharing Wealth

Luke 16 begins with Jesus telling His disciples about the manager of a rich man who was going to lose his job. The manager, knowing he had few other options for work, decided to lessen the debts of those who owed his master. “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.” (Luke 16:8) Jesus went on in verse nine and said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Chapter 16 closes with the story of a rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus was a beggar who laid at the gate of a rich man, covered in sores, longing to have even the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. The beggar died and angels carried him up to Abraham’s side, and the rich man suffered in torment when he too died, and ended up in Hades. Begging for Lazarus to dip his fingers in water to cool his mouth, the rich called out in agony. “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” (verses 25 & 26) The rich man went on to ask for someone to go to his family to warn them of what would happen if they would not repent, He was told that they have Moses and the Prophets, and if they wouldn’t listen to them, they surely would not even listen if someone returned to them from the dead.

To love each other,

we must choose to share;

from that which we have,

so all know God’s care.

For each time we give,

others come to know;

God’s love is for real,

as they see it shown.

Lord, help us to live,

most generously;

give time, help, talent,

with love, cheerfully.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to teach us and show us how to live. Forgive us for the times that we have the mentality of the rich man and neglect the ones in need. Teach us to do what we can with what we have, wherever we are. Show us how to love as You love so that Your heart is made tangible to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us the ways to give and live and love as You intended for us all. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. – 2 Corinthians 9:6

Refreshment Through Repentance

After Peter and John had been used to heal a beggar in Jesus’ Name, they suddenly had a captive audience that was ready to hear what they had to say. Peter capitalized on the opportunity, as he unpacked all that had recently taken place with Jesus, before the open onlookers. As he did so, Peter pointed out (1) who Jesus was, (2) how they had rejected Him, (3) why their rejection was fatal, and (4) what they needed to do to change the situation. (NIV footnotes for Acts 3:11) The solution Peter presented was delivered a few verses later. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. – (Acts 3:19)

 

Restoration and refreshment from God, come when we repent and turn in trust to Him. In doing so, He wipes away all of our sin and shame, and refreshes our hearts and minds in Him. To repent, we must turn away from our own unrighteousness, and turn toward Christ. Repentance is both an act of our will and an exercise of His power within us. We cannot turn away from what entangles us if we do not trust that He will set us free. God is far greater than anything that attempts to attack or create anxiety – we however, must trust that God is who He says He is. May we turn to God, repent, and receive His refreshment.

 

The Name above all,

rejected and killed;

a fatal mistake,

change need be instilled.

The solution clear,

presented quite plain;

repent before God,

Who wipes away stains.

Refreshing shall come,

when God has been sought;

for He sets us free,

our redemption bought.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to You with repentant hearts, and You receive us as we come. Thank You that You forgive us, refresh and renew us, so that we are made right before You again. Forgive us for our reluctance to repent, or for keeping hidden that which is seen by You anyway. Teach us to trust You more, so that we might keep short accounts before You, quick to confess and rapid to receive, all that You have for each of us. Lead us to love one another with the same sort of mercy and grace that You extend to each of us. May many come to know You personally, as we live and love according to Your purpose. Be glorified O God, as we repent and receive Your refreshment. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7