Be Wise Managers

January 31, 2011

Read Luke 12:35-48

Luke 12:42-43
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.

The manager in this passage of course refers to Israel. The manager is of course the church now. It is a question that those especially with influence and position in the church must answer.

Faithfulness is the main thrust of this story.

The Third watch refers to the last stretch before dawn – the time when most people find hardest to stay awake. The faithful servant is one who will keep himself awake and alert, anticipating the master’s footsteps anytime; ready to receive him.

What are the ways that will make us ‘sleep at our job’?

It is first the false belief that our master is not coming back. Faithful disciples are those who keep the Lord’s return always in mind. Living daily lives of eating, working and sleeping sometimes numb us to the reality of Jesus’ second coming. It causes us to forget that we might die anytime (reminder of the Parable of the Rich Fool) and will have to give an account of our lives.

The second temptation is the false belief that the Lord is slow in coming back. We still have time. Distractions and temptations lurk in every corner to stray our devotion. Relax! The world calls us. Party! Enjoy! Jesus warns us to beware for He will come back when least expected.

This passage is a warning to all of us to be alert, be faithful and do our very best – 100 percent to God’s work because it is with 100 percent certainty that the Lord will come back and He will not spare anyone who is negligent in attitude and ministry.

May we take Jesus’ warning seriously and live today like it is the last.

Faith, trust and risk

November 7, 2010

What is faith? The Bible says,

‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is conviction in an invisible God who creates, sustains and controls the visible world. Faith is belief in what this invisible God says He has done and will do. Our faith is in a Person, not a plan or a program or even a church. Our faith is in the Person, Jesus Christ. ‘No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18).

Faith trusts the invisible God and believes that the unseen is more solid and real than what our naked eyes can see. Faith, when exercised, will inspire others to trust God and gives God the free hand to demonstrate who He is.

Risk is part of the faith equation. Where there is no risk, there is no need for faith. Hudson Taylor, the founder of O.M.F, captured it in one statement,

"Unless there is an element of risk in your exploits for God, there is no need for faith."

Yet all risk is calculated risk. Jesus says we are to sit down and count the cost before building – and that is our role as disciples of Jesus. To do our homework thoroughly, know the cost, all the risks and consequences and then ultimately – still trust God.

When our faithfulness and faith in God come together as one, God, the Master builder, takes over. A beautiful partnership between God and us unfold and the results are miracles and divine encounters.

In following God, the greatest challenge is not circumstance, but our lack of faith in a trustworthy God.

Without faith, it is impossible to be faithful because the root of faithfulness is faith.