Luke 16:10-13
10 The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and the one who is unrighteous in a very little thing is also unrighteous in much.
11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true wealth to you?
12 And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
God or Mammon
The one who is faithful in a very little thing
From today’s short passage, we can learn at least four spiritual truths. All of these are truths that anyone who seeks to become a disciple of Jesus should embrace. (1) The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much. Conversely, the one who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much. Why is that? Because life is an integrated whole and one principle governs all aspects of it. When I graduated from university and joined a company, my supervisor at the time gave me this piece of advice: “Your superiors are watching to see whether you can faithfully handle small tasks. If you can’t even manage the small jobs properly, you will never be entrusted with bigger tasks.” As a new employee, I took that advice deeply to heart. Have you ever wondered why you haven’t been entrusted with a more important role? If so, take a moment to examine yourself. How faithful have you been in the daily, seemingly small tasks entrusted to you? Self-examination in this area may reveal the answer. (2) The earthly wealth we possess (the wealth of unrighteousness) is all entrusted to us by God (ref. 1 Chron. 29:14). As proof of this, when a person dies, they cannot take anything with them. If we realize that even our own body, abilities, and possessions are all things entrusted to us by God, the way we live will be radically transformed. (3) God watches to see whether we faithfully manage the earthly wealth entrusted to us. This is to determine whether He can entrust us with the true riches in heaven. Did you know that your faithfulness in this earthly life is connected to the blessings in the kingdom of heaven (ref. Matt. 25:34)?
The one who tries to serve two masters
The conclusion of today’s passage lies in the following fourth point. (4) No one can serve two masters. The two masters are God and wealth. The word translated as “wealth” in the original language is “Mammon.” Mammon refers to money, riches, and earthly possessions. For those who love such things, Mammon takes the very place of God. Have you recently felt weary because your heart has been dominated by the pursuit of wealth? Has your interest in spiritual matters become exceedingly faint? Now, let us remember these words of the Lord Jesus: “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you” (Luke 12:31).
Today's prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, in our hearts, we carry a fear of material poverty. Because of that, our hearts are at times consumed with the pursuit of wealth more than the seeking of Your kingdom. Please forgive us. Now, I confess that You alone are my God. Please set me free from the dominion of mammon. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.