“Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my Lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.” (Luke 16:3-4 KJV).
With these verses, worldly reaction when pressures mount to the prospect of losing one’s perceived material possessions is manifest. Seeing no way out from his predicament, the shrewd manager concocts a way using his available time to set up investment he can benefit when he’d be out of job. He is weak for hard labor. He is so proud to beg. Besides, he realized that his conscious mistake is beyond recovery. He has to go and he has no prospect of finding another management job. He has to capitalize on the time and opportunity he still has access to invest for his future.
This worldly illustration is the Lord’s example for us to leverage earthly resources in securing eternal benefits, focusing on spiritually led wisdom rather than endorsing personally driven dishonesty and greed. This emphasizes allowing God's grace to make wise investments in people for heavenly treasures, preparing for the future by trusting in the unction of the Holy Spirit. The line of thought “When I am put out of the stewardship” relate to a person’s limited time on earth. In this limited time we are reminded to use it to prepare for future eternal gain.
The steward’s action of securing a future home (Luke 16:4) is a picture of ensuring our lives are focused on the values of "everlasting abodes". As a lesson of the supplies of grace that contrasts with the demands of the law, we are challenged to be canny. The steward was "shrewd" because he realized he couldn't work his way out of his problem, as we cannot work our way to earn salvation, so we come to our Lord Jesus and be saved by grace. It is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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