PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 16:10-15
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15)
Jesus uses hyperbole (extreme statement) to make a point.
We humans value many things, including good things.
Yet often we put high value on not-so-good things.
Our sinful, selfish hearts value what makes us feel good.
We become slaves to riches, power, and many kinds of pleasure.
We serve these as our masters, and they ruin our lives.
God has blessed us richly, but we waste and abuse these gifts.
No wonder God detests what we value… when it ruins us.
Any loving parent would hate what ruins their child’s life.
Jesus came to free us from self-destructive slave masters.
He has gives his Spirit to us to help us overcome them.
He starts with small steps, to see if we can be trusted with more.
He wants us to learn, grow and flourish, but will we participate?
Will I value and pursue what God values, or will I settle for bondage?
PRAYER
Lord, what things do I value that are ruining me? Help me to value the things that you value, the things that are truly worth it!
I know I struggle with this: “You cannot serve both God and money.” I get it wrong often enough. I need to work so that I can provide for myself and my family – and I’m grateful for meaningful work and income. I’m thankful to be able to give some away and commit it to Kingdom causes. Still I fear that I depend on it too much – I know I shouldn’t – my future is in God’s hand. I grew up and witnessed my parents who were challenged to make it work to keep our family feed , clothed and housed while still sending us to Christian day school. They faithfully served God with the use of their money – we did not live extravagant lives! Help me Lord to keep the same balance now even as it is much easier for me financially than it was for them.
What do I value?
The first part of our lives we accumulate things and the second part of our lives we get rid of our clutter. All what we gathered is of no value if the Lord is not part of the blessing which need to be shared as we continue each day to live for Jesus. All what I have is from Him and that needs to be shared with those around me near and far. All material things we hang onto will mould. Not how I serve my risen Saviour with the blessing received to be shared. Help me daily Lord to be a blessing onto others.
1 All that I am I owe to Thee;
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me.
I give my Maker thankful praise,
whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
2 Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
my life in all its perfect plan
was ordered ere my days began.
3 Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
more precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
awaking I am still with Thee.
4 The wicked Thou wilt surely slay;
from me let sinners turn away.
They speak against the Name divine;
I count God’s enemies as mine.
5 Search me, O God, my heart discern;
try me, my inmost thought to learn;
and lead me, if in sin I stray,
to choose the everlasting way.