The Gospel of Luke 16:8-9 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” (Luke 16:8-9 KJV).

Surprise, surprise, the Lord commended the unjust steward for his wise action. These, we reflect within the context of wise stewardship by grace, encouraging believers to use "worldly wealth" (the mammon of unrighteousness) to invest in eternity for spiritual outcomes rather than hoarding it. The shrewd manager's actions are shown not as an endorsement of dishonesty, but as a model for being "shrewd" or wise in using resources in hand to bless others and further the kingdom for eternal dwelling.

This parable borrows worldly shrewdness to teach the use of fleeting material resources to make friends and impact lives, creating an "eternal return" rather than selfish hoarding. The cleverness of worldly stewards in managing their physical resources for their future, contrasts with the often lack of foresight of professed believers, urging the latter to be just as purposeful for their eternal investments in the confines of grace by faith in Christ Jesus. This lesson is to be viewed through the lens of grace where God empowers us to be good stewards. It is not a legalistic or religious lesson of working hard to do good.

Using the material resources we are entrusted with to help people for the sake of the Gospel of the grace of God ensures that we are saving treasures in heaven, leading to a prepared eternal habitations in the Kingdom of God. The main takeaway is to stop hoarding tightly what we are entrusted with. Instead, we are called to use it wisely to widen the Kingdom of God, trusting Him as our source. Scriptures warn: “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” (Proverbs 11:24 MSG).

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.