March 26 | Luke 16:1-13

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DAILY READING

Luke 16:1-13

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REFLECTION

To Be or Not To Be...Trustworthy

By Beth Voltmann

The “Parable of the Shrewd Manager” is not easy to understand. In fact, many theologians find it difficult to interpret. We must continue to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of these words of Christ, but today, let’s focus on this portion from the text:

“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?”

(Luke 16:10-11)

We, as “people of the light”, are managers of the Master’s wealth. If "the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it " (Ps. 24:1), then I find this to be a pressing question:

Have I shown myself to be trustworthy with

what the Lord has blessed me with?

Am I investing in Kingdom work for his glory? Does my monthly budget reflect my love for the Lord? On what have I spent my money this week, this month, this past year? On those occasions when I felt compelled to be generous with my Sunday offering but instead gave only a few dollars so that I could go out for lunch later, how did that reflect my faith?

God is gracious and compassionate, not demanding, but he desires for us to be trustworthy with what he has given to us. Whether much or little, we should manage our funds with a generous and obedient heart toward him as he leads us.

There was a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who tried to fool God (once). After selling a property, they squirreled aside a hidden portion for themselves, and then, lying to the disciples, claimed that they were donating all of their profits. That didn’t go so well for them. God saw their dishonest hearts. If you don’t know the story, take a moment to read it in Acts 5:1-11.

Why do we have a tendency to cling so tightly to our money? Why does it have such a hold on our hearts? Jesus addressed this sin nature within us: “You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13b)

So again, I ask myself some hard questions:

·      Whom do I serve?

·      Can God trust me with little? With much?

·      Can I be trusted with true riches?

Oh, how I hope the Master finds me faithful.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray that my life would be lived in full devotion to you. May I be found trustworthy with all that you have given to me. Teach me how to use it for your glory from a heart of thankfulness.

Search me, God, and know my heart;

Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalm 139:23-24)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.