February 7, 2011
Read Luke 16:10-18
Luke 16:11-12
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?
This entire passage is about faithfulness. Faithfulness in the way we handle money (v 10-13), faithfulness in following God’s law (v14-17) and faithfulness in marriage (v18).
It is not wrong to have money or own possessions. Faithfulness in finance means to use it to fulfil the Great Commandment: to not allow it to rob God’s place and to use it to bless my neighbours.
Faithfulness in money is not measured by how much we earn but how are we spending it. The way we dispense of our money is the sign of our faithfulness to this trust that God has given us.
The Pharisees during Jesus’ time understood the possession of land as a sign of God’s blessing since many of God’s covenantal agreement include the gift of land. Thus many of them acquired land to make them look like God’s favour was resting on them. That was totally unacceptable! The Pharisees and the chief chiefs were the minority rich in a land of poor peasants’ majority. Their problem was their failure to use their resources to help the poor which was clearly commanded in Scriptures.
Marriage was mentioned here as part of the teaching on faithfulness because many were downplaying its importance during Jesus’ time. So we see it happening today. All relationships are trust given to us and we must stay true to our family and friends, even more so between spouses.
What the world says is ours are actually borrowed. We do not own anything. One of the real tests of faithfulness is the way we treat things that are not ours. Only then can we be given ‘true riches’.
What is ‘true riches’ – this passage does not say. That which we hold dearest and have it – that would be authentic wealth to me, I guess. And if Jesus is whom I long for and desire, then perhaps my true riches would refer to possessing Christ?
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It seems that the interpretation of being good stewards to our money is a bit new to me here. Well, maybe not new but it has a different emphasis compared to what I was taught. Being a good steward here means that we bless others with our wealth and that we use our weatlh for God's purposes, and giving generously and systematically (tithing). But what about being a good financial manager of our money? Does that fall under being a good steward? And if we have the wisdom to save and use our money with good intentions but yet we don't have full knowledge of how to maximize the potential of our money ie: financial plan, save, invest, etc, do we in a way fall short of being a good steward? A giving, generous Christian man who is knowledgeable about money would be a better steward of his money, no?
ReplyDeleteIt also reminds me of the story of the widow who gave all that she had. I don't think it was because she didn't know how to manage money that lead her to being poor. However, she did know how to be a good steward in the sense that she was willing to give and she had a giving heart.
Being a good financial manager of our money does fall under the concept of good stewardship. The parable of the talents proves that.
ReplyDeleteBeing a faithful steward means we grow in our skill and knowledge of using the things entrusted to us. So we should be learning how to better use our money to invest - herein too lies a thin line. We must invest, earn and use the money again for God's kingdom. not just earn, earn and earn; which becomes an addiction and greed and thus defeats the purpose of God blessing us with the wealth.
How much to keep for investment, retirement, insurance and so on (all these are new 'inventions' of modern economy anyway) and how much to give away is between God and us. While the stipulation is 10 percent for tithe (old testament principle), again everything 100% belongs to God. My rule is anything above 10% is individual conviction.
Being poor is not a sign of bad stewardship. "Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nest, but the Lord has nowhere to lay down his head". Jesus owns nothing, has nothing but he holds everything and has no lack. The Pharisees' understanding of spiritual blessing as evidenced in material blessing does not fit in the new kingdom way. but today, lots of preachers are still preaching that God will bless you and reward you if you give. Not wrong but it should not be a guarantee - they preach it like a 'guarantee or money back' kind of way which is not biblical.
God will provide if you do the things that he asks of you.. and even if he doesn't provide we should do whatever he asks anyway since nothing belongs to us.
ReplyDeleteRE: How much to keep for investment, retirement, insurance and so on (all these are new 'inventions' of modern economy anyway)
I never really looked at it that way. It seems that these 'inventions' can assist you in being a better steward but can easily stumble you to become inward looking as well.
I say we have a how to be a good steward workshop and learn about financial strategies to help us become not just better investors but better givers and stewards of God's wealth.
I think being a good steward of your money is not draining it down the sink with unnecessary items; expensive alcohol, excessive eating out, buying that latest tech gadget every 6 months.
ReplyDeleteIt is putting money to good use, investing in lives, investing it in the needy, the ones that truly need it.
@Danielle: you bring up the topic of the widow who gave all that she had and Jesus acknowledged. You have to keep mind of the context. The previous paragraph says: 38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
I think Jesus was pointing out the pride in the "teachers of the law", the Pharisees who showed off their wealth in giving but rarely displayed the sacrifice.