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

To Find Favor

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. – (Proverbs 3:3-4, NIV)

 

Though God’s word has been carved in the corners of my heart, this is the time of year that love threatens to leave me and my faithfulness falters when facing the ongoing adversity of the end of the year. There are days that school feels more like a combat zone than a place of teaching and learning, and I question my calling to this career. I manage, by the grace of God, to keep my responses calm, but internally, that which is bound around my neck and nearly choking me, is not necessarily the most loving. This week, I was granted favor that was not deserved on two occasions that made all of the difference in the moments in which they occurred. Part of my investment in such early rising, is to prepare my heart and mind for whatever may come my way each day. Without time to quietly reflect on the goodness of God, His love and faithfulness would likely feel out of reach for me. I need reminders often for things to resonate and remain at rest within me. God is good, even when our circumstances are frustrating or trying, and He loves us more than we can fathom. May we let His love and faithfulness be what we display, and allow His truth to take hold of our hearts; for favor and a good name in the sight of God and man come through walking in His ways.

 

Let God’s faithfulness,

And love remain near;

Write truth on our hearts,

So His way is clear.

As we choose follow,

Walk right and obey;

We gain the favor,

Of those on our way.

To have a good name,

Before God and man;

What faithful love does,

It’s part of God’s plan.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love and faithfulness never leave us, and that as we bind them around our neck and write them upon our heart, You use them to grant us favor and a good name in Your sight and the sight of others. Forgive us for allowing our circumstances to hijack our emotions, rather than running to You for strength and help and hope when the burden is too heavy to bear. Teach us how to seek You in all situations, so that love and faithfulness never leave us. Show us how to love those around us as we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we bind Your love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on the tablets of our hearts. Amen.

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

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – 1 Chronicles 16:31