Devotional Space for Grace | The Unrighteous Steward (Luke 16:1-8) | 12.6

[Jim]

December 6th THE PARABLES ​

The Unrighteous Steward (Luke 16:1-8) ​

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Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends.
Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

Luke 16:9, New Living Translation ​

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Context: A steward who was in control of his master’s estate was found to be cheating and was called to account resulting in his impending dismissal. Who would employ a man who had stolen from his master? Starvation was staring him in the face. So, he hit on an underhand strategy of substantially reducing large debts owing to his master. He was calculating that he would win the gratitude of these debtors. The master got to know about it, and, with a cynical appreciation of what we would call a very fast bit of work, congratulated him.




Meaning: The steward is commended, not for his unrighteousness, but for his practical wisdom. He invested in his future by using his present opportunities shrewdly. Jesus did not approve of the way he did it, but he commended him for the fact that he did it.


Application: Are you a shrewd Christian steward in your use of time, your assets and abilities?


Making friends is not always easy, but Jesus shows how to do it. He made time for people, sharing himself often with outcasts of society (Luke 14:13–14). He showed grace to a crooked little thief called Zacchaeus, and the man turned into a giver. We are also stewards of the gospel - the greatest treasure put in our trust (1 Thess 2:4; 2 Tim 1:13-14). Tell others the good news of the Jubilee cancellation of the sin-debt in their life! “God holds nothing against you. He is for you and wants you to be free from guilt and shame.”

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How would you invest your life if you had only a short time to live? ​

 

[Shelley]

Investing in the future kingdom by living a life now that will be acceptable when it comes is not 100% do able. But keeping the kingdom hope in your sights can certainly help you get closer to the target.

 

[Lori Jane]

I like how Dave explains it. Think of a train - a salvation train if you will.

When we accept Christ we are saved and we get on the train, we stay on the train are, therefore "being saved" and when we get to our destination - Christ's return we "will be saved".

So don't get off the train once you get on!

The ticket didn't cost you anything other than acceptance and belief in Jesus' sacrifice.

While we are on the train 'being saved" we pay that gift forward by how we treat others like Matthew 25 discusses in the judgment of the Sheep and Goats. How we treat those that are hungry, thirsty, etc. is as if we did it for him.

When we get on the train we are not sinless - but we should sin less and grow to be more like our model Christ.

• Paul makes an interesting statement, "Our salvation is now nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
• The Holy Spirit is given "as a guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession..." (Ephesians 1:14). Here redemption and the eternal inheritance is something in view, something yet future.

Saved in Three Tenses -3 Times of Salvation - Have been, are being, shall be saved

There are, so to speak, three tenses of salvation: we have been saved, we are being saved, and we shall be saved

www.simplybible.com

 

[Shelley]

I love the train idea. All aboard!