In Luke 16:1-13 Jesus used the illustration of a man that hired a manager or administrator setting him over his estate. This man was later accused of mishandling his master’s goods, and was notified that he would be terminated from his position. He begins to ponder his future, and to establish relationships for his advantage. While not giving approval to his actions the master commended him for his wisdom in securing his future. A lesson we Christians should draw from this is to take advantage of present opportunities in the light of our eternal future. Two side truths I see in this story are that this steward appears to have been lazy, “I cannot dig”, a characteristic the Bible frowns upon, “The lazy man” always looking for an excuse not to be diligent, “says, There is a lion in the road” Proverbs 26:13. This steward also appears to have been proud saying, “I am ashamed to beg”; pride of position, possessions, accomplishments, Etc. are detested by God, and “a proud heart” is sin according to proverbs 21:4. But one of the main points that I see in Jesus parable is found in verse 13, “No servant can serve two masters…” The Bible teaches us that you cannot serve both the flesh and the spirit for “these are contrary to one another” Galatians 5:17; Jesus use of a word translated “mammon” from Chaldean origin meaning confidence or figuratively wealth, which is avarice; we could say money; and the Bible says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” 1 Timothy 6:10! It is possible that by mammon Jesus referred to, or even named, the demon spirit behind this evil lust, which could include not only money itself but all the vices and things it can attain! The bottom line here is that you cannot serve God while serving and catering to your fleshly appetites! Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 quoting from the Ten Commandments, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Self interest
By Rose Hill
To whom will you do service today?
To serve yourself is always the wrong way.
God wants your heart and all your love,
And your mind not on earthly things, but on heaven above.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.