Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Morning Cup of Tea: The Parable of The Unjust Steward

Good morning! I'm happy to say I have a few minutes before heading out the door to my appointment to write my thoughts on today's lesson. Today we are reading chapter 16 of Luke, verses 1 through 13. This concerns the parable of the unjust steward. The steward  had been accused of wasting his master's goods and the master wasn't going to put up with it anymore. The man was in danger of losing his job. Now, he knew that he wasn't really cut out for strong manual labor and begging just seemed shameful to him.  He knew though, that he had to do something that would make those on the outside friendlier to him in his time of need. So he called the master's creditors to him and made a deal with them. He asked what they owed and he gave them a smaller number to write on the bill. This way the debotrs had less that they owed and the master, although not getting all of his goods back, would at least have a better chance of getting repaid. If that was not enough for the master, the steward would have a chance at getting a similar position elsewhere.
  Jesus said in verse 9,  And I say unto you, Make yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into  everlasting habitations.
   Jesus isnt giving us his blessing to go over to the dark side, so to speak. I read the thirteen verses, then I read that verse again. And twice more. Then I called to my husband. We discussed it, and since  the Pharisees are still there hearing Jesus speak, he's saying don't hold yourself so high up in your own mind that you can't possibly be friends with others who may be sinners. We are all sinners. Don't fall into their habits just to be friends with them, but don't think of yourself as better than everyone else simply because you've been forgiven. Although you've heard the word, repented of your sins, confessed that Jesus is Lord and have been baptized and are trying to live a righteous life, you're still human. And you're going to mess up. And those who see that you think you are better than they are and can't associate with them aren't going to be very friendly toward you when you fail. It's so much harder to reach someone when you are way up high on a pedestal of your own making and the rest of the poor sinners are down at your feet.
  Until next time my friends, have a great day.

No comments:

Post a Comment